Moving On (Cape Falls) (4 page)

“We can’t get married. We don’t know each other
, and we’ve not dated or anything.” Her pulse pounded as she saw her words were falling on deaf ears. Brad didn’t care, and from the look of it, neither did her parents.

They’d already agreed to this. She was alone.

“You’ll be my wife.” He released his hold on her and grabbed her hand. There was no use fighting him. Brad was stronger than she was. He slid the ring on her finger.

Pain radiated in her chest. The ring was a perfect fit.

One of his hands banded around her waist as the other palm slammed beside her head, on the wall.

“And that fucking Peter Miller will keep his hands away from what is mine.”

Her eyes widened as she looked at him. He couldn’t have seen that kiss, could he?

“I saw the fucking kiss, Rose. You didn’t fight him. I saw everything. He didn’t close the fucking blinds.” He leaned forward. “I suggest you kiss me the same way
, or I tell your parents everything. They’ll cut you off, and you’ll be on the streets with nothing.”

He kissed her lips
, and Rose let him. She didn’t fight him, but she didn’t respond either.

Brad leaned away. “I suggest you kiss me
, or I’ll make sure your food is taken away from you and your parents let you move in with me. I know Adam, Tyler, and John want a piece of you. I always share what’s mine with my friends.”

She watched him, feeling sick. Rose needed to stop this. He turned to leave her room. For now, she needed to follow his rules. She needed to find a way out of this. Grabbing his arms, she wrapped her arms around Brad’s neck and kissed him. Rose closed her eyes imagining it was
Peter.

Rose vowed she would find a way to get out of this. She was never going to be at the mercy of
Brad or his friends.

Chapter Four

Peter hadn’t seen Rose at the library the following day or the day after that. He found out from one of the women working there that she’d handed in her notice. Seeing no reason to stick around the library, he no longer went back. Laura had left the library stopping his visits and now Rose. What was wrong with him that the women always seemed to leave him?

Stop feeling fucking morbid.

Leaving the library he saw Gabriel leaving his patrol car. He waved at the other man. Peter had a lot of respect for Gabriel. He’d taken on Amy and another man’s kids and raised them as his own.

“Hello, Gabriel. We’ve not seen you or Amy at the club recently,” Peter said, hugging him.

“We’ve been looking at moving out of Cape Falls. Amy doesn’t like living here anymore. She wants to leave.”

His words shocked Peter. “You’re planning on leaving Cape Falls?”

“I’m looking at a position elsewhere. It’s not healthy here to raise two kids. The town folk are not
accepting of our ways. The Steer brothers are fighting with Anna to stay. We talked with Paul and David, and they’re ready to leave Cape Falls altogether.”

This was news to Peter.

“Wow, okay. I never thought anyone would leave the town. It’s such a beautiful place,” Peter said.

“It’s a beautiful area
, but the people bring it down. They’re awful, and I agree with Amy. Our kids will be going to the same school as the locals, and we can’t let that happen. So much has happened, and they’re already being picked on. I can’t let it happen.” Gabriel appeared to have aged years in the last few months.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Peter said, meaning it.

“Speaking of trouble, do you know Rose Slater?” Gabriel asked.

“What about her?” Peter tensed thinking about the other woman.

“She keeps coming into the station and then turns around leaving it. I don’t know what to do with her. It happens a couple of times a day,” Gabriel said.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Peter said.

He knew where she lived, and he was going to find out.

“Okay, I’ll come and see William soon. Don’t let him know about my leaving.”

Peter waited for Gabriel to leave before heading in the opposite direction. He was worried about Rose. Her quitting the library was not like her. She’d spoken to him about going to college and doing so many things. Why would she suddenly be frequenting the sheriff’s office?

None of it made sense to him.

Crossing town, he headed toward her home. There were no cars in the driveway. He opened the gate, going down the garden path toward her house.

Before he could bail out he knocked on the door. After several minutes Rose opened the door. Her eyes went wide when she saw him. He saw she was shaking
, and she looked past his shoulder.

“What’s going on, Rose
, and don’t fucking lie to me,” he asked, warning her.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Frustration ate at him. Charging past her, Peter slammed the door. Rose looked sick. Her blonde hair was bound in a clip, and she folded her arms. He saw her shaking, and he also heard the sound of her stomach growling.

“What the hell is going on?” he asked. Peter cupped her cheek
, and she stared at his chest.

Wanting answers, he charged down her house
, and when he passed the kitchen he glanced inside.

“Peter, please, stop. You shouldn’t be here,” Rose said.

He stopped and looked at the kitchen. What he saw turned his stomach. Going inside, he tested the chains to make sure it wasn’t a trick. They were locked solid.

Opening the fridge he saw the lines on the milk and the monitoring of the fridge.

“What the fuck is this?” he asked.

She lifted a hand to
her face, wiping her eyes. He saw the glint of a diamond on her ring finger.

Grabbing her hand, he looked at the ring.

“Tell me what’s going on now,” he said.

Tears filled her eyes as she stared at him. “My Mom and Dad will be home soon.”

“Then you better fucking explain fast.” He let go of her hand. “How does a woman who wants to go to college and enjoys working at the library suddenly get engaged and quit her job?”

“You don’t understand?”

“Why is that same woman being monitored on what she eats?”

Peter had heard about this sort of lifestyle before for a submissive.
Some submissives allowed for this kind of lifestyle. Rose was not in a submissive relationship. She was in her parents’ house.

Leaving the kitchen, he opened doors, cupboards and draw
ers looking for the scales, tape measure and notebook. He found them in the long cupboard. Flicking them open he got the answers as to why her lunch had been reduced.

“Tell me what the fuck is happening
, or I’m phoning Gabriel to report abuse.”

He grabbed his cell phone ready to do it.

“Don’t. It’s Brad and my family.”

Peter stopped, looking at her. “Speak, Rose.”

She looked behind her before speaking. “I’m engaged to Brad, the guy you saw at the library. He’s the one who organised that.” She pointed at the book in his hand. “If I don’t marry him then my parents will kick me out. I don’t have what it takes to survive on my own, Peter. I’ve got to do what they say.”

“You look hungry, Rose. What
are your meal times now, and what are you allowed?” he asked.

Her cheeks were red. He didn’t give a shit about her embarrassment. This kind of control was not healthy, especially to a woman like Rose. They were starving her and could be doing long term damage.

“I’m allowed a slice of toast for breakfast, two pieces of fruit for lunch and some dinner. I also have to complete ten miles a day on the running machine. Brad doesn’t want a fat bitch, and I’m to stick to a strict regimen and be a v-virgin on my wedding day.” Tears were pouring down her face as she spoke.

His heart went out to her.

“Why didn’t you come to me?” Peter asked. He would have done something to help her.

“Why would I come to you, Peter? You’re in love with another woman. I’ve got no one else to turn to. I know this is my future.”

Peter closed the distance, cupping her face. “This future will get you killed, Rose. Brad’s the one in control, and what makes you think he’s not going to stop this control or make it worse? He could make you go days without food.” He stopped as his anger threatened to consume him. Rose was being abused, and from the look inside the book this had been her life for a good few months and he’d not seen it. “Do you love him?”

She shook her head. “He scares me, Peter. If I don’t do as he says he’s going to share me with his friends. I don’t want to do that. I wouldn’t survive that. I’ll be good. I promised.”

He shook his head. “No, that’s not going to happen. Brad is bad news.” Peter cupped her cheek, resting his head against hers.

“There’s no stopping it.”

“Yeah, there is.”

“How?” Rose asked.

“You’re coming with me.” He stormed up the stairs, opening the doors until he found her room.

****

Rose had to stop him, but as she followed him up the stairs and entered her room, she couldn’t form the words. She watched him throw her clothes into an overnight bag, pack up some of her books, and then he was done. Peter was saving her from her parents and from Brad. It was only a matter of time before something bad happened to her. She knew the rumours about Brad had to be true. The way he kept warning her about sharing her with his three friends scared her. Each time he mentioned it, he looked more and more aroused. There was no stopping him, and Brad was the one who held all the cards right now. He made sure she knew who was in control of her and the situation.

“You can’t take me with you. If Brad finds out…” She couldn’t finish her words.

“I’m counting on Brad finding out. I’m not afraid of that little prick.” The violence in Peter’s words shocked her. “No one should ever withhold food like that.” He dropped her cases and stood near a wall. She couldn’t tear her gaze away as he thumped the wall.

“Peter, don’t. You’ll hurt your hand.”

“I don’t give a fuck about my hand.” Peter turned to her, his hands cupping her face. “No one should ever do what they’ve done to you. He was wrong, and your parents were wrong to follow those orders.” He brushed her lips with his, and then they were walking down to the front door.

“Wait, I’ve got nowhere else to go. This is my only home
, and I’m not cut out to be alone.”

Her mother’s past words stopped her in her tracks.

“You’re staying with me,” he said. “I would never let you go, Rose. You’ll be safe with me. I promise.”

He stopped to talk to her. She wanted to go with him
, but her sudden fear held her back.

“Rose, if you stay here you’re going to end up married to Brad. When that happens, your voice will no longer be heard in this town. You know that, right?” he asked.

Tears filled her eyes. She got the message loud and clear. Once she married Brad no one would care. This was her only opportunity to get away from that.

“Get me out of here.”

Grabbing her hand, Peter led her out of her home, across town toward his car. Rose noticed several of the town locals stare at them. She dropped her head unable to meet their gaze. Peter didn’t seem to care.

“Let the bastards look. What will it take to get these people out of the dark ages?”

She wished she knew what he was talking about. Rose had lived this way her whole life and didn’t know any differently.

He helped her into the passenger side of the car. Once her case was in the backseat, Peter climbed in the front and pulled out of the parking lot.

“You shouldn’t be alone for some time. I don’t think Brad is going to take too kindly to this, and there’s something about him I don’t trust,” he said.

She didn’t argue. There was a cruelty to Brad
, and she hated it. Being near the other man made her feel dirty.

“Thank you,” she said.
Staring down at her hands, Rose couldn’t meet his stare. “I didn’t know what else to do. Before I knew what was happening I was engaged. They’d already quit for me at the library. I didn’t have a say in anything. I was alone.”

He grabbed her hand, squeezing her tight. “You’re not alone anymore. I’m here
, and nothing is going to happen to you.”

In no time at all he was pulling into his private drive. “This is it, my home.”

Opening her door, she climbed out and went toward the back. Peter already had her case in hand. She waited for him to unlock the door, and they entered together.

He put her case down near the door. “I’ll settle you in a room shortly. First, you need to eat.” Peter took her hand once more, leading her to the kitchen. “I can’t do you a large breakfast. We’re going to start slow to bring your strength back, okay?”

She nodded. He left her to get a seat as he stared cracking eggs into a bowl.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“You’ve not eaten properly in some time. If I put too much food inside you quickly you’ll get ill. We’re going to settle on a two egged omelette and then build it up. I want you to eat small snacks and build your appetite back up,” he said.

“You know your way around a kitchen pretty good.” She smiled, trying to distract him from his obvious anger.

“I’m not angry at you, Rose. I’m angry at the town and your parents. They put you in real danger. You don’t deserve to be in danger.” He stopped whisking, leaning his hands on the counter. She noticed he was counting. “Parents should never do that to their kids.”

“I think Brad’s parents were paying mine. He wanted me to know how much control he had over the situation. I know it doesn’t help
, but it’s what he wanted to me to know.”

Peter shook his head. “He
’s a fucking coward and a loser. The boy pretends to be a man when all he’s doing is living off his dad’s money.”

Rose remained silent.

“Anyway, let’s get you fed.”

She stayed silent while he cooked. At home her mother did all the cooking
, and it was foreign for her to see a man in the kitchen.

He brought over a plate, placing it in front of her. “Eat up. I know you’ll want more
, but trust me on this.”

When would he realise that he was the only person she trusted? She couldn’t even bring herself to talk to the
sheriff, and he was supposed to be there for people who needed him.

She took small bites, relishing the taste of the beautifully cooked omelette.
Rose wanted more but ate only what he put in front of her. Peter showed her to one of the spare rooms after she finished her dinner.

“I want you to take a shower and then rest.”

“It’s a little early for sleep,” she said.

“No, it’s not. You need your sleep. I won’t be leaving the house today. Do as I ask.”