Page 24 of Deserving Lara
“I’ll get with Lara and we’ll come up with a plan,” Cora told the others. “We’ll have a lesson plan of sorts for the week and give it to Brick for approval. That work?”
“Absolutely,” Alaska and Reese said together.
“Now, can we talk about what you want for your wedding dinner?” Luna asked. “I know my dad is gonna be in panic mode when he hears, and he’ll want to know as soon as possible what to make.”
Lara tuned out the others as they talked about different foods. She glanced down at her watch and saw it was almost one o’clock. She hadn’t seen Owl in five hours…and suddenly, her skin began to get itchy. She felt restless steal over her.
Looking out over the railing on the deck, trying to reclaim her calm, all she saw was trees. Something moved in the distance, and she stiffened. Was that a shadow? Was it Carter? Was he watching her? Planning?
Anxiety ramped up inside her and in a flash, all she could think about was getting to Owl. He’d keep her safe. Had done so in the past. Had stood between her and the evil that was the man who’d hurt her.
“Lara?”
She heard Cora say her name as if from a distance, but she couldn’t seem to focus. Closing her eyes didn’t help. The dark made things scarier. She opened her eyes again and frantically looked around the area. Was Carter moving in even now?
She hated this! Knew she was panicking but couldn’t seem to control it. She’d thought she was doing so much better. Had felt so confident in being with Cora at her house. But she was falling apart at the seams and didn’t know how to stop the downward spiral. One second she was fine, and the next she wasn’t.
Cora scooted over and put her hand on Lara’s thigh. “You’re okay, Lara. I promise. You’re safe.”
But she wasn’t! Lara was sure of that. Carter was out there. Waiting. And he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt anyone who stood between him and what he wanted.
“He’s coming.”
Lara heard Ryan say the words, but she interpreted them far differently than the woman probably meant.
He was coming. Carterwascoming. And the only person who could protect her was Owl. And he wasn’t here! She was alone.Again. And it was only a matter of time before Carter was touching her, doing those awful things…
Without thought, Lara jumped up and frantically brushed off the hands that were trying to comfort her, backing into a corner of the deck and crouching, putting her arms over her head. Doing her best to protect herself from what she knew was coming.
But it was no use. She couldn’t get away!
“Shit! Ryan, you texted him?”
“He’s on his way. He’ll be here in two minutes.”
“What do we do?”
“Give her some space.”
“Should we cover her with a blanket?”
“No, don’t touch her.”
“I wish Henley was here!”
“Me too.”
Lara heard the conversation between the women around her, but it was as if she was at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. She couldn’t focus. Couldn’t do anything but wait for the inevitable. A small part of her was ashamed of acting so pitiful. Wanted to get up and fight. But what was the use? Carter was stronger. He’d overpower her like he did before and hurt her in the process. It was better to be submissive. Docile.
A spark of anger lit in her belly.Why?Why should she make things easy for him? She should fight! Like Cora had. She’d hurt the man—badly. Had stuck her finger in his eye. Why couldn’t she be like her friend?
The thoughts ricocheted around her head, making Lara nauseous. She wanted to move, to do something to help herself, but she was frozen. Frozen in fear. In indecision.
“I’m here.”
Two words. But instead of hearinghisvoice…she heard Owl’s. Lara would know his voice anywhere. She lifted her head but still couldn’t focus. She whimpered in fear.
“I’ve got you.” The same time those words were spoken, Lara felt herself being lifted onto Owl’s lap. She snuggled into him as close as she could get—and it wasn’t enough. She wanted to lose herself in him. Make herself one with the man. With him there, she was safe. He’d make sure Carter didn’t hurt her again.
