Chapter Three

Caroline's POV

“Caroline? What the hell happened to you?” Harper was the first to notice me. She covered her mouth with exaggerated shock. “Aw, did you run into a stray dog out there and come crying back because it scared you?”

I ignored her mockery and walked straight toward Brooke.

The moment Brooke saw the blood on my arm, panic flickered in her eyes. It vanished almost immediately, replaced by her usual helpless expression.

“Caroline, what happened to you? I told you it was dangerous out there...”

I didn’t give her a chance to say anything else.

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with all my strength.

The blow sent Brooke crashing into the mud with a scream. Blood immediately appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“What the fuck did you put in my bag? I told you I didn’t want it!” My voice was ice-cold.

The entire campsite went silent for one second before chaos erupted.

“You’re insane, Caroline!”

Blake charged at me, his face twisted with rage. He grabbed me by the collar and shoved me hard onto the ground.

Wyatt and several of the other guys immediately surrounded me, forming a solid wall that trapped me in the middle.

“What gives you the right to hit her?” Blake shouted, spraying spit dangerously close to my face. “Brooke gave you something to protect yourself. You lost it, got yourself hurt, and now you’re back here taking it out on her!”

Brooke covered her swollen cheek as Harper helped her to her feet. Tears streamed down her face.

“Don’t blame Caroline, Blake. Maybe I accidentally put it in the wrong bag while I was cleaning up earlier... It’s all my fault. I deserved to be hit.”

“Listen to her!” Blake roared. “Brooke’s still defending you after everything you’ve done! Do you have any conscience at all? If you don’t get on your knees and apologize to her right now, you’re not leaving this campsite!”

Everyone glared at me. Wyatt even grabbed a thick wooden club and slapped it against his palm, making the threat perfectly clear.

I looked at these brainwashed idiots and rapidly assessed my situation.

I was alone, unarmed, and already injured. If I tried to fight them, I wouldn’t stand a chance. They might even decide to take matters into their own hands.

More importantly, the grizzly drawn by the scent could follow the wind straight to the campsite at any moment.

Logic won out.

I drew a deep breath and forced down my urge to kill them. Then I lowered my head and let my shoulders tremble, pretending they had terrified me.

“I’m sorry...”

“Speak up!” Wyatt yelled. “We can’t hear you!”

“I’m sorry, Brooke. I lost my temper. I shouldn’t have hit you.” I looked up, letting them see nothing but surrender in my eyes. “My arm really hurts. I need to get down the mountain and go to a hospital. Please, just let me leave.”

Blake looked at my sudden weakness with smug contempt.

He gave a dismissive snort. “At least you finally came to your senses. Now get lost. I never want to see a vicious woman like you again.”

The group opened just enough to let me through.

I lowered my head and limped away.

As I passed the charcoal grill, I spun around and kicked it over.

Burning coals spilled across the ground and set fire to a nearby patch of dry grass. The campsite instantly erupted into chaos.

“You’re dead, Caroline!” Blake roared as he tried to rush at me.

But I had already plunged into the bushes and was racing down the mountain.

I hadn’t gone far when a deafening animal roar exploded behind me, followed by terrified screams from the campsite.

My face remained blank as I ran with everything I had.

When I reached the parking lot halfway down the mountain, I found my SUV.

I jumped inside, locked the doors, and floored the gas pedal. The engine roared as the SUV shot out of the parking lot.

This time, you can enjoy Brooke’s precious gift without me.

...

Three exhausting hours later, I finally reached my luxury penthouse downtown.

After washing away the mud and blood, I changed into soft silk pajamas and poured myself a glass of Burgundy I had been saving for years.

I stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out over the city lights, finally letting out a long breath.

It was over.

Those idiots had probably become the bear’s dinner by now.

Just as I thought everything had finally settled and turned to head toward my bedroom, the doorbell started ringing over and over.

Then someone began pounding on the door.

I frowned and went to open it.

The second the door opened, several armed detectives stormed inside and aimed their guns directly at my head.

The lead detective produced an arrest warrant and stared at me without expression.

“Ms. Carrington, you’re under arrest for the premeditated murder of multiple victims.”