How had I gone from a woman trying to start fresh, to someone trapped in a cabin with a man who'd stalked her, manipulated her, and apparently threatened her boss?
I carefully extracted myself from Killian's embrace and padded to the bathroom, closing the door before turning on the light. My reflection stared back at me, dark circles under my eyes, a hickey on my neck from earlier, my expression haunted.
I didn't recognize myself anymore.
Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my messages. There were dozens from friends back in North Carolina I hadn't responded to in weeks. Emails from my aunt asking if I was settling in okay. Missed calls I'd ignored.
I'd let Killian become my entire world, and I hadn't even noticed it happening.
Or maybe I had noticed and just didn't care because being wanted that intensely felt too good to question.
A text notification popped up from my Aunt Ellen.
Lena, I'm really worried about you. You haven't answered any of my calls. Please just let me know you're okay.
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.
I could tell her the truth. Could tell her I was trapped, that I needed help, that I'd made a terrible mistake.
But what would I even say? That my boyfriend watched me before we met? That he sabotaged my car to keep me dependent on him? That he'd orchestrated everything to trap me here?
Who would believe that?
And more importantly, did I really even want to leave?
That thought stopped me cold.
Because part of me, some sick twisted part, didn't want to leave. Liked being the center of someone's obsession. Liked knowing that Killian would burn the world down to keep me.
But the rest of me, the part that was still sane, still rational, knew this couldn't continue.
I deleted the half-written response to my aunt and put my phone away.
When the next morning rolled in, I decided to test the waters.
Killian was making breakfast, and I leaned against the counter, trying to sound casual. "I was thinking maybe I should stay at my cabin for a few nights."
He went very still, the spatula pausing mid-flip. "Why?"
"Just to have some space. Some time to myself." I forced a smile. "It's nothing against you, I just…I haven't been alone in weeks and I think I need it."
Killian set the spatula down and turned to face me fully. His expression was calm, but there was something dangerous lurking beneath it.
"The roads aren't safe this time of year," he said quietly. "Your cabin isn't secure. The locks are shit, anyone could break in."
You’d know, I thought to myself.
"I'll be fine…"
"No." The word was soft but absolute. "You won't be fine. You'll be alone and vulnerable and I won't be there to protect you."
"Killian, I'm a grown woman. I can take care of myself."
"Can you?" He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. "Because from where I'm standing, you need me. You've needed me since the day we met."
"That's not…"
"Isn't it?" His hand came up to cup my face, thumb brushing over my cheek. "Who fixed your car? Who made sure you had food, had warmth, had everything you needed? Who takes care of you, Lena?"
