Page 54 of My Boyfriend Marks Trees
“I had Martha scouring social media. Didn’t actually think you’d be dumb enough to have your face on camera.”
Charlotte wanted to curse. If only she’d not taken Greta to that damned Christmas market.
“Now you’re probably wondering how I found you here. It was actually easier than expected. See, after I chatted with your boyfriend I found out he was the same guy you left with from your place. Fucker lied to me, and when I returned, he was gone. So we decided to stake out his farm. Stole some sleds and parked ourselves in the woods waiting, and it paid off. He arrived by snowmobile and left us a clear path right back to you.”
“Ares is coming,” Greta stated.
“I’m counting on that. Wonder if he’ll like the surprise I left him.”
Charlotte’s heart stopped. “What did you do?”
“Made sure we wouldn’t be interrupted. We have unfinished business, Charlotte. Can’t exactly have you roaming around flapping your lips about what you think you know.”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” she huffed.
“The first smart thing you did. However, here’s the problem. I gave you a chance, and you betrayed me. You can’t be trusted, and there’s only one solution to that dilemma.”
No need to say it. He was going to kill her.
A tremble took hold of Charlotte’s limbs, and her lips were numb as she said, “Please don’t do anything in front of Greta.” She might not be able to save herself, but she wanted to prevent Greta from seeing it.
“Begging is a nice look for you, but no can do. The pup needs to understand who’s the alpha and what happens to those who cross me.” Barry held Greta out to Amir. “Hold her while I handle the bitch myself.”
The man grabbed a squirming Greta. “No. No. Leave Mama alone. Nooo—grrrrr.”
Everyone went still as the child suddenly turned into a little wolf. Amir dropped her, and Greta, the wolf puppy, wiggled free of her clothes and crouched on four paws on the floor, snarling, her bristly hackles rising in spikes along her spine.
A nasty smile spread across Barry’s face. “Well, I’ll be. Guess we won’t need to wait until she’s a teen after all.” He reached for Greta, who snapped and snarled.
“None of that, you brat,” he commanded in a cold tone.
He lunged for Greta again and managed to get her by the scruff and lift her.
Greta whimpered, and Grams made a low sound.
Oddly, the tree they’d decorated the night before rattled, the branches shaking. No one seemed to notice but Charlotte. No one saw the little nose that peeked, but everyone heard Barry’s bellow when the tree toppled against him, and the squirrel leaped from a branch to his head. The rodent, with a white streak on its head, dug in its claws and hung on.
A startled Barry dropped Greta, who hit the floor with a thump and sat there dazed.
A very pissed Barry wildly shook his head, and when the squirrel wouldn’t let go, he reached for it. Missed it by an inch, as the critter leaped and landed on a chair from which it sprang past a gaping Amir, heading for freedom through the still open front door.
Seeing a chance for Greta, Charlotte screamed, “Run, munchkin!”
The little wolf, utterly panicked, bolted through Amir’s legs outside into the coming storm.
Her departure left Charlotte and Grams alone to face a very angry Barry, who had scratches on his face and a scowl on his lips.
“Get the girl while I handle these bitches,” Barry ordered.
Amir left, and Barry sneered in their direction. “Time to give you my version of a gift for the holidays. Eternal rest. In pieces, you old bat.” He cackled.
Grams wasn’t in the mood to be threatened. “Old? Come here and let’s see who’s old now that you ain’t using a child as a meat shield anymore, asshole.”
Perhaps Grams could have wrestled a man as big as Barry. Only he didn’t stay a man.
A wolf exploded from the clothes, big and scary looking.
Not to Grams, who smacked her lips and said, “You’ll make a mighty fine coat.”