“So did you steal the cabin just as you stole the truck?”
“You’re just full of so many questions today.”
“I don’t remember asking so many questions.”
“So asking about my past doesn’t pose a question?”
“It was just one question, Sia, what the heck is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. Stop being a nosy bitch, Crinka, and get out of the darn truck.”
Damn. I didn’t mean to rile him up, but some things just can’t be helped. The cabin is small and fairly okay. The kitchen was small, and I am surprised to see a mini fridge in there. Only one couch and a table make up the living room. There’s a bed, a chest of drawers, and a small wardrobe. It had a homey feeling, and I have a feeling someone has lived here before. I hoped the small fridge was loaded. I couldn’t shift with this collar on me, and Sia doesn’t trust me enough to take it off.
“I’d ask again. Did you steal the cabin?”
“No. Anita and I built this thing a few years back. It’s not the best thing out there, but we loved it, and that’s all that matters.”
Looks like Anita and Sia are closer than I thought. It must have been nice. The walls of the cabin protect them from the harsh reality of the world. I only pray for Lyles’ sake that the two are not in love. If not, their love story, even if in existence, will destroy the little chance the two have.
“A few years back? How long have you known Anita?”
“There are some clothes in the closet, undergarments in the drawers. I don’t know your size, but I hope they fit.”
How rude of him to brush off my question like that. Was he afraid of me finding out his dirty little secret? However, I chose not to dwell on it and went to try on the clothes. They were Anita’s. I don’t like wearing other people’s clothes, but it is not like I have a say in the matter. It was too tight and hugged my curves in a way that I don’t like. The only demarcation the bedroom had from the other rooms was a thin sliding glass wall. If you tried hard enough, you could see what’s on the other side.
“How was it? Did it fit?”
“It’s too tight, but I would manage.”
He nods and removes his boots.
“I forgot to ask. Where’s the bathroom?”
“We ran out of supplies. There’s a shower tent outside, so hidden you won’t know it is there.”
“How do you fetch water?”
“There’s a little pond not too far from here.”
“And if I want to relieve myself? Or take a leak?” I almost laugh when I take in Sia’s expression. It’s too hilarious that I can’t describe it.
“I can get you Pampers. Rubbish,” he says and leaves me to drown in my joke.
This cabin and all its properties belonged to Anita one way or the other. That thought alone killed me. My heart went out to Lyles. How would he feel if he finds out the truth? Anita’s betrayal would break him for sure. Just the mere thought knowing that Anita was Leo’s hurt him. If Lyles guarded his heart, which I am sure he didn’t, then Anita’s betrayal will not affect him. If Anita and Sia are somewhat lovers and built this cabin together, then there’s a slight chance that she will be coming here from time to time to see him. Perhaps I would be able to prod her for information, and if she answers my questions truthfully, I would be able to solve the puzzle that is Sia.
“Penny for your thoughts?” “I think the correct thing should be freedom for your thoughts.”
Sia sighs, running a hand through the mess that is his hair. “You know that’s impossible, Cri…”
I cut him off. “But why? What have I done to deserve this? Why won’t you just let me go? Did Sleepy Joe ask you to do this? Tell me, Sia, answer me.”
He stays silent. Angry and frustrated, I slap him hard across the face, just enough to imprint my fingers on his face. I want to hit him again, but he stops me, holding my hands to his chest.
“May I remind you who is in charge here?”
“You will never be in charge of me, Sia, I won’t allow it. Let go of me!”
“I have never needed permission to do something and I never will need it.”
“It’s expected, you spoiled brat. If you don’t let go of me, I’ll scream.”
“Even if you scream from now till tomorrow, the trees can’t save you.”
My shoulders rounded in defeat, I tried to calm down. If I want the collar off, I have to get in Sia’s good books, and that is only possible if I let him control me. The mere thought of him controlling me has me shivering to the core, but I try my best to hide it so he won’t see the effect he has on me.
When Sia is assured I’m calm, he lets go of me, leaning down, his hot breath fanning my cheek. “Next time you lay your hands on me, I will jump your bones.”
Then, the idiot kisses me. I try to break free, but he doesn’t allow it. “Don’t fight it. His voice is soft and his lips are hard. I give in and kiss him back. Our tongues lap each other. There’s a knock on the door, and we pull apart. I hug the wall for comfort as I try to control my breathing. Sia is touching his hair again, sniffing the air. Whoever is at the door is a rogue like Sia.
The rogue rudely lets himself in, probably annoyed from standing outside for too long.
“Sia, what the heck, man? I’ve been knocking for like an hour, and you’re here snogging this chick. Wait till I tell Anita about this.”
His eyebrows furrow upon hearing her name. I feel in my guts that Sia and Anita are more than just friends.
“I got carried away, man. Plus, Anita doesn’t need to know about this.”
“Fine, I won’t tell her on the condition that you attend the get-together party that I am inviting you to. You can bring your side chick.”
“Parties and I don’t mix well,” Sia says, chugging down a glass of water. He was avoiding my eyes. It’s good to see I am not the only one affected.
“That’s a freaking lie, and you know it. You command authority and respect.”
“Fine. Where and who’s the host?”
“Ruarc.”
Sia chokes, the glass falling to the ground. On instinct, I rush to him, slapping his back. I am pretty sure that whoever this guy is, is in Sia’s bad books.
Sia pushes me away from him as if my presence around him killed him. I slip and fall on the glass shards. I scream when they dig into my skin, and that seems to attract the attention of the two men in the room.
Sia muttered expletives under his breath and pulled me up to my feet. It will heal, I keep telling myself. I’m bleeding and Sia quickly takes me inside, forcing me to lie on his front. I scream into the pillows when he proceeds to remove the shards from my back. It is not easy with my shirt in the way.
“Sia, you haven’t made a decision,” the stranger shouts from the living room.
“Go fuck yourself Enoch, I have better things to do.” He returns his attention to me. “I’m taking off your shirt now.”
I’m in so much pain that I don’t answer. He goes ahead, ripping off my shirt like the animal he is. I wince as the cold air bites my skin. Sia unclasps my bra and if we had been in any other situation, I would say he was planning on raping me. Sia removed the shards and the pillow muffles my screams. When he is done, I am breathing heavily, hot tears running down my cheeks. He said he wouldn’t hurt me. I would butch at him later when I am not in pain.
“Can you sit up? I got you painkillers.”
“And have you stare at my breasts? Just go away, I want to sleep,” I mumble into the pillow.
I don’t even think he heard me. “Try and have some rest. I’ll be back.”
I can’t even have the painkillers because I can’t move, I feel like a vegetable and all this is Sia’s fault. My wounds just need to heal and when they do, I will descend on him. My eyelids flutter close and the last thing I heard before falling into unconsciousness is Sia’s voice.