Boundary

  Boundary

  Ebony Olson

  Contents

  Also by Ebony Olson

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Ebony Olson

  Hotel Series

  Henderson

  Cassidy

  Holmes

  Best Man

  Black Mark Series

  Black Mark’s Resistance

  Black Mark’s Secret

  Black Mark’s Heart

  Black Mark: The Complete Saga

  Angelis Series

  Spectra

  Hierarch Series

  Succumb

  Numinous

  Masked

  Standalones

  Of Shadow and Light

  Published 2019

  Published by

  EbandMuse Publications

  Sydney, Australia

  Copyright © 2017 by Ebony Olson.

  ISBN: 978-0-6485000-6-3

  All rights reserved. These books or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  http://ebonyolson.com/

  Chapter 1

  The cottage was perfect. From the moment I paid the settlement fee until I arrived this morning to pick up the keys, I worried it was a con. But it was even prettier than in the pictures. Now, I had to hope the inside wasn't derelict.

  A gaudy yellow high-end sports car pulled up beside me, and a man in a designer suit stepped out. After checking his styled blond hair in the mirror of his car, he walked to me. "Good morning, are you Ms. Cana's daughter?"

  Raising a brow at the assumption, I folded my arms across my chest. "No. I am Miss Cana."

  Brows jumping, the man's eyes widened as he looked me over. "Really? I was expecting an older woman to want a cottage like this."

  At twenty-eight, I wasn't too young to own my own home. "Yes, my name is Vera Cana, and I purchased the cottage." For the first time in years, I didn't have to force my smile. Not that this egotistical man caused it. The cottage and the keys to it that this man was holding gifted me this joy.

  Grinning, his eyes traveled over me a second time. It wasn't lecherous, there was nothing to see. My long sleeved teal boat neck top covered my breasts, and the loose black slacks went all the way to my ballet flats. Since I couldn't be bothered straightening it today, my mahogany wavy hair was up in a bun. I wore no makeup, so my skin was my natural alabaster, something my ex didn't find attractive.

  That was my look now, neat, put together, but as unattractive to the opposite sex as I could be. Danny Ready perused my appearance, then frowned and returned his eyes to my fake muddy brown ones. My eyes were actually a vivid green; a feature men tended to pay attention too. To be unremarkable, the eyes needed to stay hidden.

  "Well, it's nice to finally meet you. I'm Danny Ready. Your real estate agent's representative here since they don't have an office down this way." Danny held up the keys. "Here are the keys to your new home, Miss Cana. Should we look inside to make sure it's what you purchased?"

  Taking the keys, I met his eyes again. "Is it furnished still?"

  "Yes, of course, that was part of the sale contract. Mr. Ways son only removed personal effects and memorabilia. Even the crockery and cutlery remain in case you wanted that."

  Grateful, I smiled. I'd spent the vast majority of my savings on the purchase of the land, and I didn't want to have to buy anything to move in.

  "Excellent, well, I can take it from here, Mr. Ready. Thank you." Turning my back on him, I moved to collect my bag from my second hand, but immaculate coupe.

  "Would you like me to help you with your things?"

  When Mr. Ready followed me to my car, I huffed. Forcing my well-rehearsed smile, I turned back. "No, I only have my overnight bag. The rest of my belongings will follow." Lie.

  "Oh. Well, very well then." Danny handed me his business card. "If you need anything, or have any questions, don't hesitate to call."

  With a nod, I accepted his card then turned my back on him again. Frowning in the reflection of my car window, Danny turned away. Collecting my handbag from the passenger seat of my car, I closed and locked the door as I moved to the boot.

  Revving his sports car, Danny Ready drove back up the long drive. The cottage was on the grounds of a historic manor house and used to belong to the owner's loyal butler. The bungalow and land gifted to him by the owner for his service.

  Danny had told me the butler served two generations of the family before he died at age eighty-three. His son left for college as a teen and never returned, and the wife passed thirty years ago. The son listed it for sale without even offering the estate owner the chance to repurchase it.

  The listing went live at the same moment I was looking for a perfect out of the way place, and I'd bought it within the hour. The owner of the manor house hadn't been happy the cottage sold. His lawyer emailed me a few weeks ago and tried to reverse the sale.

  This caused a two-week delay in taking possession. Our lawyers examined the deeds and determined that, yes, I now owned the cottage. There was nothing Mr. Hern could do about the sale. The extra expense it cost me in legal fees obliterated the rest of my savings, but at least the cottage was mine.

  Grabbing the overnight case and the two bags of food I'd bought on the way here, I looked out over the cottage. The deeds gave me the bungalow, the acre of cleared land around it, and the driveway. The forest surrounding my allotment belonged to the manor house. The real estate agent told me the woods were full of deer and rabbit, and the previous owner had been free to use it.

  Of course, that was before the owner tried to steal the cottage back from me. He would likely have me charged with trespass if he caught me wandering the woods around his home now. Then again, Mr. Hearn lived and worked in the city, three hours away from here and only came home on the weekends. So, there might be some room for movement.

  Unlocking the front door of the cottage, I stepped inside. My smile bloomed. The place was perfect. A simplistic single story with a well-orchestrated floor plan. The long, wide hall displayed art and landscape photographs.

  There were two large bedrooms to either side of the entrance hall, each with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Walking into the master bedroom, I deposited the suitcase containing my only belongings. Then headed off to find the kitchen to put my groceries away.

  The open living area in the rear of the cottage contained the kitchen and lounge. The floor to ceiling glass windows overlooked the yard, the forest, and the veranda off of the living area. The cottage was beautiful, and everything I needed.

  After a few minutes of unpacking, I spent the rest of the afternoon getting acquainted with my new home.

  Opening my laptop, I connected it out to the internet. The technicians came out earlier this week to set the cottage up with high-speed internet. It was another costly venture, but since
it provided my income, it's what I needed more than clothes.

  Making myself a small salad for dinner, I toasted my new home and life with a small glass of wine. After supper, I showered and changed into the only pair of pajamas I owned; a little black singlet and short set. Wrapping my long black dressing gown around me, I walked out onto the back deck to overlook the yard.

  The lights around the perimeter of the yard were aglow, though I hadn't switched them on. There was a path of lights leading into the forest from the yard. Assessing their direction, I decided it led to the main house. More than likely created to enable the butler to get home in the dark.

  Feeling brave, since it was the middle of the week, I stepped off the back porch and wandered along the path. The trees were dense, and the smell of wood and earth suffused my senses.

  An animal noise made me stop. Peering to my left, I spied a small pond and a doe drinking from it. Moving off the path towards it, I kept low and quiet. Having never seen a live deer before, I was curious how tame the animals were here.

  The doe lifted her head to watch me approach. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I'll stay on this side of the pond. I just want to watch you."

  The doe hesitated but allowed me to come closer. When I reached this side of the pond, I squatted to watch it, tucking my robe around my legs so it wouldn't get in the dirt. The doe and I sat staring at each other, my smile growing.

  Then the doe cocked her head, eyes widened with fright, and she darted off into the forest. Standing surprised, I wondered what startled her. Turning my attention to where the doe spooked, it took me a moment to see the golden eyes reflecting the moonlight in the dark.

  Swallowing the lump of fear in my throat, I took a step back as the snout of the dog became clearer. "Nice puppy." My voice trembled like my legs as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

  The dog snarled, it's lip lifting to show enormous canines. Backing up, I exhaled hard when I rammed straight into a tree. Cringing with the pain that burst through my already injured side, I prayed that this was a dog from the main house. "Okay, not a puppy. Nice doggy?"

  The animal lifted itself from the foliage and stepped into the clear, allowing me to see it. It lowered its large head and snarled again as it evened its weight on its paws. Knowing that maneuver from the discovery channel, I tried to plot my retreat while keeping an eye on the dog.

  The animal was huge, and it took me another moment to realize, it wasn't a domestic dog breed I'd ever seen before. "Oh, god. Not a nice doggy then."

  Bolting through the forest towards the cottage, I used the lights of the path off to my left to guide me. The snarling and snapping of foliage let me know the dog was chasing me through the scrub, gaining on me.

  Making the clearing, I tripped on a cable I hadn't seen before. Falling to the ground with a yelp, I caught myself on my hands. Refusing to take the time to feel the cut across my shin from the cable, or the fact breathing hurt, I rolled over. Sprawled on the ground, I stared at the angry dog as it slowed and crossed the boundary of my land.

  It snarled at me again, stalking closer. Whimpering, I cringed back as it lunged for me. Snatching my dressing gown, the dog tried to drag me back to the forest. Clinging to the ground, I dug my fingers in to try and prevent it pulling me to my death.

  When material started ripping, I realized it gave me an opportunity. Letting go of the ground, I yanked the tie on the robe and shrugged out of it. Sobbing as I backed away, I crawled further into the yard toward the cottage. My ankle was on fire, so trying to stand and take my weight would only disable me.

  Growling, the dog swung his head, throwing my gown to the side before he lunged forward. Throwing my arms up to protect me, I prepared for the worst. Nothing happened.

  The dog was standing above me, his breathing angry, but it didn't bite me. Opening my eyes, I dared a peek. Standing astride my legs, it was staring at my body, then lowering his snout to my exposed abdomen, the dog sniffed.

  Whimpering when he poked the freshly healed wound in my side, I cringed. The stitches only came out last week. He nuzzled the bruising across my abdomen, causing me to sob louder.

  Stepping back, the dog nuzzled the dark bruises across my thighs. Lifting its head, the dog frowned at me, tilting his head in question. Biting my lip on the fear inside me, I found the sudden pity in the beast's eyes disturbing. Waiting, he barked at me before poking my bruised thigh.

  "You're not the first beast to attack me." Trembling, I pulled myself out from under him and glared into his eyes. I swear they'd changed. Not so gold anymore, not so animal.

  The dog backed up a step, then another. Turning to consider the forest, it then glared back at me. With an undercurrent of growl, it snapped towards me.

  Jumping, I whimpered, nodding my head. "Stay out of the forest. I get it."

  With another growl, the dog turned and leaped over the cable I'd not seen, and back into the forest. Sobbing as the night became quiet around me again, I collapsed and bawled into my forearm.

  I'd survived years of abuse and risked death to earn my freedom. To near die at the jaws of a wild animal on my first night of freedom was too much. Fate could be cruel.

  Chapter 2

  Sitting at the dining table working, I was enjoying a coffee as the light of day revealed the world outside. Pressing send on my latest project to my client, I was closing my laptop when there was a knock at the front door.

  It'd been three days since I moved in and made the mistake of entering the forest. The cut to my shin had been superficial, but my ankle was still tricky to walk on. Unfortunately, it was also my right ankle. That meant driving wasn't an option until I could apply weight to it.

  Hesitant, I hopped to the front door, then opened it only a crack. A man in khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and grass-stained work boots stood on the porch. His smile was friendly as he took in my loose slacks and flowing grey singlet top. His blue eyes met my brown contacts, and he took off his hat to expose honey blond hair.

  "Morning. I'm Bob, the groundskeeper for the manor house."

  Easing the door opened a little further, I checked there was no one else with him. "Morning."

  When I stood watching him with the door only half open, Bob smirked. "I've been taking care of the grounds here too for the last few years. Mr. Hearn used to pay for it, but now that it's sold, he's told me to negotiate with the new owner for my services."

  It took me a moment, then I finally caught on. "Oh. I'm not sure. I mean, I hadn't even considered having someone maintain it for me." My gaze dropped to his work boots. Damn it, I'd not accounted for any of this. After doing the maths, I shook my head. "I'm afraid I can't afford your services, Bob. I'm sorry."

  His eyes assessing me now, Bob frowned. "Are you a keen gardener?"

  "No. I love nature and plants, hence why I bought the place, but I've never had to care for any myself."

  Stepping back and looking back up the drive, Bob sighed then met my eyes again. "This place will be overgrown and ruined in months if you don't keep up with it. What can you afford to pay?"

  Very friggin little thanks to Mr. Hearn and his lawyers. "Um, well, how much would you charge Mr. Hearn?"

  "It was always included in the cost of the manor house. I guess, a grand a month would cover it." When I balked, Bob frowned. "Could you afford seven fifty?"

  If I didn't want to eat or have functioning electricity. "I'd have to do the sums. Can you drop by tomorrow?"

  "Sure. I'm happy to negotiate." He turned to leave.

  "Bob?" Opening the door, I limped out onto the porch.

  Bob turned back, noticed my limping and frowned. "You're hurt?" He reached for me.

  Terror froze my heart, and I stepped back as an automatic reaction. My ankle didn't hold, and I cried out as I fell to the porch. Bob tried to take my arm, but I cowered in fear and pulled back from him. That made Bob stop. He stepped back, his blue eyes wide as he watched me.

  Cursing under my breath, I shuffled back again
st the wall and stabilized my breathing. "I'm sorry, I just... don't touch me, okay?"

  "Okay." Bob took another step back.

  Gritting my teeth, I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I wanted to know if the local store delivered groceries by any chance? I can't drive till my ankle heals and I'm running out of food."

  Bob shook his head. "No, they don't. It's only a small grocery store. None of the big chains have bothered coming out this way yet."

  Figuring that was the case, I slumped back against the front wall of the house. "Thanks."

  Bob licked his lips. "Look, the new butler, he does shopping for Mr. Hearn. If you write me a list and give me the cash, I'm sure he would pick up what you need until your ankle heals." Peering up, I meet Bob's eyes, unsure. "Trust isn't your strong suit, huh?"

  I shook my head.

  Squatting so he was level with me, Bob sighed. He wasn't a tall man, close to the same height as me. "Look, Mr. Hearn isn't around a lot. Even when he is, he's not too concerned with what his staff is doing. As long as we take care of the place, he has other priorities. Jeremy and I, we can help you out for a few weeks. We don't mind."

  "Jeremy is the butler?"

  "We won't hurt you. I'll take care of the grounds, and Jeremy will drop off your groceries. You don't have to interact with us if it troubles you."

  In my heart, I wanted to believe him, but my past experiences of men had never ended well. The man seemed genuine, and something about Bob appealed to me, apart from his looks.