Sold For Eternity

Chapter 13

I felt his laugh against my skin. “We’ll talk about it when we get on the road again. Now put a smile on your face and act like you love me. I’m not asking.” I took a deep breath and forced a fake smile on my face. He grabbed my hand, and we walked into the store. The elderly gentleman behind the counter smiled at us.

“Welcome folks. Let me know if I can help with anything.”

Jackson thanked him and asked where the bathrooms were. The gentleman pointed the way, and we headed in the direction he had pointed. Another threat was issued as I was made to wait outside the door until he was done without speaking or moving. I did as I was told. It wasn’t that big of a deal. When he came out, he allowed me to go into the restroom while he got what he needed in the store. Once inside, I realized that he had gone first to check it out. He wanted to make sure I had no way to escape, and I didn’t. It was an interior room with no windows or other exits.

We were in the middle of nowhere. Where could I possibly go? I wasn’t sure, but it looked like a mountain area. There was no telling what was in those woods. I had the survival skills of a gnat. I hurried and used the restroom and walked out. Jackson was waiting. His hands were full of snacks and water. We walked to the register and paid making small talk with the clerk and got back on the road.

I thought he had forgotten about answering my questions. He handed me water and a pack of crackers. Crackers were probably a smart choice with the way my stomach was feeling. Finally, he started talking. “Now, since your father didn’t properly fill you in on the details of our deal, I will. I saw you in that dump of a mountain town and I knew you were mine. There were no other options, and I didn’t have the time needed to make you see that for yourself. I stopped by the s**t hole of a bar and heard your father's drunken rambles. I knew he would accept the money, so I offered it. Of course, as you know, he accepted. He accepted fifty thousand dollars in exchange for you to become my wife. I needed time for my lawyers to draw up the paperwork I needed to make the marriage legal, so I gave him extra to take you Cannon and bought the house that you moved into for him to remain there until the time was right. As you will soon find out, my father basically owns the town of Cannon and Mrs. Jassy is my aunt. I told her I was rescuing you from an abusive home, and she helped me out. We are now going to my home. I own a large estate in the mountains. It is completely isolated. You will have free rein of the place but will go nowhere else. I do have people that work there during the day, and they all know I am bringing home my bride. They are completely loyal to me as they will not be able to support their families or live without my assistance. There will be no help for you, there are only harsh consequences if you try.”

“I won’t marry you.”