“If anything, I’m after him.” She muttered and then his words registered. “Oh, you mean my stalker? No, I was just asking him…” She stopped. She didn’t want to say anything until she talked to Declan. “Never mind. Can we talk later, Colin? It’s really important that I find my brother.”
Colin’s face cleared. “That’s why I was looking for you. He asked me to find you and tell you to meet him in the wine storage below the house.”
“Where is that?” Cara threw her hands up, exasperated.
“I know exactly where you need to be.”
Colin led her to the back of the house and down a set of cellar steps. Wrapped up in wondering what Dr. Keller still had to say about her father, it didn’t occur to Cara, until Colin pulled the thick door shut behind them, how odd it was that Declan had asked to meet there. Colin flipped a light switch, and the narrow staircase was illuminated.
She hesitated halfway down the steps, but Colin tugged gently on her hand. “These steps are narrow, but I’ll take care of you.”
Once they reached the vaulted storage space, the temperature dropped by several degrees. Cara rubbed her hands across the goosebumps that rose on her arms. This didn’t feel right. Why would Declan want to meet her here? Her nerves prickled.
“Are you cold?” Colin shrugged off his jacket.
“I didn’t expect the temperature to drop this much. I’ll just wait for Declan at the—”
Colin didn’t give her a chance to finish and instead wrapped the jacket around her shoulders, holding the lapels closed with his hands. He stared into her face for several beats. An uneasy knot grew rapidly in her stomach. It’s just Colin, she told herself. No reason to be afraid.
But shewasafraid. Everything in her was telling her to get away, but when she tried to pull back, his grip on the jacket held her immobile. Colin smiled into her face.
“You’re trembling.”
“I’m really cold,” Cara lied. She lifted her hands together quickly in front of her, forcing him to let go of the lapels. Cara blew on her hands, pretending her only intention had been to warm them. His eyes narrowed, and Cara took a couple of steps back to the stairs. Her instincts told her she needed to get out of this room.
“Don’t be afraid.” His tone sounded reasonable, but there was an odd light in his eyes.
“Why would I be afraid?” Her voice was weaker than she intended, and Cara took another step to the steps.
Colin wrinkled his nose. “Who convinced you that there was something wrong with me sending you gifts? I only wanted to make you smile. I’ve missed your smile. I wanted you to see how much I care. How far I’ll go to prove I love you.”
Horrified comprehension hit her. “You sent me the flowers? The gift card?” Cara licked her dry lips, and ice filled her veins.
Colin continued. “At first, I was upset you were so rude about them.” His eyebrows met over his nose. “And for blocking me…” He shook his head mournfully. “I know it’s difficult for you. Your family being what they are. I started to think I’d misunderstood all the signals you’ve given me over the years, but when you showed up and told me I was your true love, I knew I was right.”
“What signals? True love? What are you talking about?” Her voice rose an octave, and she inched another foot backward.
Colin’s eyes flattened. “I love you. You know that. I thought it was just a dream, but then you kept sending me your secret, little signals.”
“I never sent you anything! You’re Erik’s best friend. Are you insane?”
Colin’s face darkened. “Don’t say that! Why are you being so difficult? I know Wes has been bothering you, but I’ll take care of it. Nothing can keep us apart now.” He lunged as Cara whirled to race up the stairs, but he was faster. Colin grabbed her arms from behind and yanked her back against his chest. His hand seized her jaw when she screamed. Pain ricocheted through her head. His hand slipped higher, pinching her nose shut while covering her mouth.
“No screaming,” he whispered in her ear. “Don’t make me do something we can’t come back from.”
Cara struggled to free herself by kicking backward and jerking her head, but Colin’s hand only clamped harder, and she saw dots in front of her eyes.
No! No! Not like this.
Darkness flirted on the edges of her vision, and the pain in her head increased.
“I’m going to let you go, and you aren’t going to scream. If you do, there isn’t a second chance. Nod if you understand.”
Somehow Cara found the strength to move her head. Just like that, the hand was gone, and she frantically sucked in oxygen.
She coughed and struggled to stay on her feet as he pulled her further into the cellar.
“I’m disappointed in you, Cara. It was one thing when you were with Erik. I know you hadn’t really faced your feelings then. But you know how I feel about you now. How could you flirt with Wes?”
