Hunter Beaumont doesn't understand his grandmother's deathbed wish: "Destroy Beaumont House." He'd never even heard of the place. But after his grandmother passes and his first love betrays him, the family house in the Wisconsin woods looks like a tempting refuge. Going against his grandmother's wishes, Hunter flees to Beaumont House.<br><br>But will the house be the sanctuary he had hoped for? Soon after moving in, Hunter realizes he may not be alone. And who -- or what -- he shares the house may plunge him into a nightmare from which he may never escape.<br><br>Sparks fly when he meets his handsome neighbor, a caretaker for the estate next door, but is the man salvation...or is he the source of Hunter's terror?

A Demon Inside

Hunter knew the car was just a few yards away, but as he rushed to it, his foot caught on a bramble, which brought him to his knees. He skinned his hands as he went down. “Jesus,” he whispered…and then tensed. He could feel someone behind him, drawing closer. He was sure it wasn’t Ian. Hunter squeezed his eyes shut, muscles tensing, as he felt hot breath on his neck. He wanted to scream but had no voice.


And there was no one there. Only the blue skies and the treetops met his gaze. Hunter stood on awkward legs and looked around. There was no sign of anyone running through the woods either.


It’s just nerves. That has to be it. You’ve read it yourself, how the death of someone close to you is one of the major stress events in a person’s life. Add to that this inheritance, this house, falling in love—even though that’s a good thing—and it’s no wonder you might be a little out of sorts.Even Hunter was skeptical of his own rationalizing thought process.


Chapter 20