WRAPPED

Lone wolf

By Friday afternoon, the city was far behind them.

Elliot drove his dark SUV down a narrow, unpaved gravel road lined with dense pine trees. The autumn air was crisp, and the sky above was a heavy, overcast gray.

In the passenger seat, Lilly sat with her hands folded over her lap, looking out at the passing woods.

"Not much further," Elliot said smoothly, keeping one hand on the steering wheel while offering her a warm, attentive glance. "My family built this cabin thirty years ago. It’s completely secluded no neighbors, no city noise, and no cell service."

Lilly offered a soft, timid smile, turning to look at him. "It sounds peaceful, But... no cell service at all?"

"Not a bar," Elliot replied with a small, self-satisfied chuckle. "That’s the beauty of it. Out here, we don't have to worry about the rest of the world. Just you and me."

No cell service means Vance’s surveillance is blind, Lilly noted silently behind her calm expression. No live audio feed. No immediate backup.

Five minutes later, the trees cleared, revealing a small, two-story timber cabin resting on the edge of a still, dark lake. It was beautiful, but completely isolated.

Elliot parked the car and carried their bags inside. The interior was rustic and warm a stone fireplace, heavy exposed wooden beams, and large glass windows overlooking the water.

For the first few hours, Elliot acted like the perfect host. He built a roaring fire in the hearth, poured two glasses of red wine, and cooked dinner over the gas stove.

But as night fell and the wind began to howl through the tall pines outside, the atmosphere inside the cabin shifted.

Elliot sat in a leather armchair by the fire, swirling his wine glass, his dark eyes fixed entirely on Lilly as she sat on the rug near the hearth.

"You know, Lilly," Elliot began softly, his voice dropping into a low, probing register, "I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately."

Lilly looked up from the fire, tilting her head innocently. "What about us?"

"How remarkably quiet you are," Elliot said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze was sharp, clinical, and unblinking. "Most women I know panic when they lose cell service. They check their phones every ten minutes. But you... you haven't looked at your screen once since we crossed the county line."

Lilly swallowed softly, letting her hands draw back toward her knees, playing the part of a shy, nervous girl being put under a spotlight.

"I don't really have anyone to text, Elliot," she murmured, her voice carrying a delicate, hurt tone. "My parents passed away, I don't have many friends, and... you're the only person in my life who actually pays attention to me."

Elliot’s eyes narrowed slightly, searching her face for any trace of hesitation or deceit. It was a psychological stress-test, he was starting to see a future instead of his next victim. He needed to know she was real and could be trusted

"No friends at all?" Elliot asked softly. "A beautiful girl like you, living all alone in the city... it almost sounds too quiet. Like a ghost story."

Lilly let her lower lip tremble slightly. She looked away from him, staring down at the polished wood floor as a single, perfect tear welled in her eye.

"If... if I'm bothering you, Elliot," she whispered, her voice cracking with raw, fragile vulnerability, "we can go back to the city. I know I'm not very exciting. I know I stay in my shell too much. But please... don't make fun of me for having no one."

The tear slipped down her cheek, catching the golden firelight.

Elliot watched the drop of water roll down her face. His analytical mind processed the display: no defensive anger, no quick excuses, just pure, needy emotional weakness.

His ego devoured it instantly.

The suspicion in his posture dissolved. He stood up from his chair, walked over to her, and knelt beside her on the rug. He reached out with his hand, gently wiping the tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"I’m not making fun of you, Lilly," Elliot murmured softly, pulling her close into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sorry. My work makes me paranoid sometimes. You don't ever have to apologize for being reserved. I wont have it any other way.

She smiled through her tears, planting a kiss on his lips then buried her face into the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as if holding onto her only anchor in the world.

"I love being here with you, Elliot," she whispered into his shirt.

"I know, sweetheart," Elliot smiled, stroking her back as he looked over her shoulder into the dark, empty woods outside. "I know."

Against his chest, Lilly closed her eyes, She had passed his test without a scratch. He was completely convinced of her helplessness—and every second he believed it brought her closer to putting him behind bars for the rest of his life