Chapter 8
The story broke at midnight.
Marcus had leaked everything. The airport incident. Sarah's testimony. The text messages Lila had saved. The other women who'd come forward after Marcus reached out to them.
By morning, Jake Carter was headline news.
"Decorated Navy SEAL Accused of Assault and Domestic Abuse."
"Multiple Women Come Forward Against Trident Holder."
"Commander Assaulted in Airport Lounge by SEAL Now Under Investigation."
I watched the news on the cabin's small television. Lila and Sarah sat beside me, their faces pale.
"They're talking about him like he's a monster," Lila whispered.
"Because he is," Sarah said, putting an arm around her.
But I knew this was just the beginning. Carter wouldn't go quietly. He'd fight back. He'd try to discredit us. To make us look like the villains.
My phone rang. An unknown number.
I answered it.
"You think you've won?" Carter's voice. Cold. Furious. "You think a few news stories are going to take me down? I'm a Navy SEAL. I'm a hero. They'll believe me over a bunch of lying women."
"Three women have come forward so far, Jake," I said. "And more are calling the hotline every hour. Your command has opened an investigation. You've been relieved of duty. Your Trident is on the line. It's over."
"IT'S NOT OVER!" he shouted. "You took everything from me! My career. My reputation. My fiancée. You're going to pay for that, Elena. You and your little sister both."
"Where are you, Jake?" I asked, keeping my voice calm. "Come in. Turn yourself in. It's the only way this ends without someone getting hurt."
He laughed. A crazy, desperate sound.
"Hurt?" he said. "Oh, someone's going to get hurt. But it's not going to be me. I know where you are, Elena. I know about the cabin. You should have covered your tracks better."
My blood ran cold.
I looked out the window. The woods were dark. Quiet.
Too quiet.
"Stay away from my family, Jake," I said, my voice like ice. "If you come near that cabin, I swear to God—"
"You'll what?" he taunted. "Kill me? Go ahead, Colonel. Make my day. The world already thinks I'm a monster. What's one more thing?"
The line went dead.
I dropped the phone and turned to Lila and Sarah.
"Get up," I said. "Now. We need to move."
"What's happening?" Lila asked, standing up quickly.
"He's here," I said. "He knows where we are. We need to get out of this cabin and into the woods. Now."
I grabbed the emergency bag I'd packed. Flashlights. Water. A first aid kit. And the pistol I kept hidden in the cabin.
I checked the magazine. Chambered a round.
"Stay behind me," I said. "Whatever happens, don't stop running. There's a road about a mile east. Marcus is sending help. We just need to hold on until they get here."
I opened the door and stepped outside.
The woods were dark. The moon was hidden behind clouds. Every sound—every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig—seemed amplified.
We moved quickly. Quietly. I led the way, pistol raised, scanning the trees for any sign of movement.
Lila was breathing hard. Scared. Sarah stayed close to her, holding her hand.
We'd gone about two hundred yards when I heard it.
The sound of a truck engine. Getting closer.
"He's coming," I whispered. "Into the trees. Now."
We ducked behind a large oak tree. I peeked around the trunk.
Carter's pickup truck came barreling down the dirt road that led to the cabin. Headlights cutting through the dark. He slammed on the brakes when he saw the cabin was dark. Empty.
He got out of the truck. He was carrying a rifle.
My heart sank.
He was armed. And he was hunting us.
"Come out, Elena!" he shouted into the dark. "I know you're here! You can't hide forever! What's the matter, Colonel? Too scared to fight me fair?"
I looked at Lila and Sarah. They were both terrified. Lila had her hand over her mouth to keep from crying out.
I had to get them out of here.
"Stay here," I whispered to them. "Stay hidden. Whatever happens, don't come out. Not until you hear Marcus's voice. Not until you know it's safe."
Sarah nodded, pulling Lila closer. "Go," she mouthed.
I slipped away from the tree, moving silently through the underbrush. Years of training took over. I became a shadow. A ghost.
Carter was walking toward the cabin now, rifle raised, kicking in the door.
"Come out!" he shouted again. "Or I'll burn this whole damn forest down with you in it!"
I moved behind him. Quiet. Unseen.
I was ten feet away when he turned.
He saw me.
His rifle came up.
May you like
I didn't hesitate.
I fired.
