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Lucia used the same route as the one I took to take her into the entrance hall. She made a few errors, but quickly changed direction, steadily heading the right way.
I clicked onto another feed and found her fleeing down the front lawn of the manor. Zooming in, I gazed at the lost expression on her face as she tried to decide which way to go.
The grounds of Volkov Manor were vast. Heavy woods fenced the area, keeping the centuries-old building concealed from public view.
Very few people knew the way to our home. As assassins, we were always under threat from the families of those we killed. My ancestors made sure to invest heavily into fortifying the perimeters of our residence to minimize all risks.
Lucia was still clueless about who we were. Even if Lilja explained our identities to her, she’d still need time to know everything there was to know about us.
Lucia ran into the woods fencing our northern borders. I knew the exact path she was going to take and smiled to myself. There was an underground tunnel leading right to the spot she was heading to.
Pushing back the chair, I stood up.
Rage and desire clashed inside me as I hurried out of the room. She thought of me as a beast and right now, I felt like one.
I was going to catch her and make sure to give her such a chase, she’d never dare to run from me again. Lucia had to know she belonged to me and my brothers for the rest of her life.
Her willingness was only an option. She’d have to surrender to me with or without it.
17
Lucia
My lungs filled with fresh, cold air as I stepped out of the unguarded doors of the manor. Surprise flickered through me despite the anxiety clutching at my throat. I’d been expecting to get caught already.
You can do this, I told myself as hope flared inside me.
Small, polished stones covered a narrow pathway leading away from the front doors of the manor. Vast, bare grounds spread out on both sides. The grass growing everywhere was tall and unkempt. Everything seemed to be growing wild here.
My left foot still ached from being pricked in the heel earlier this morning. Could I run without any shoes on?
Loose gravel poked at the soles of my bare feet.Keep going, I told myself, increasing my pace.
The narrow pathway seemed to go on forever. I stopped for a moment and looked toward the woods in the distance. The leaves were a beautiful shade of orange, pink and red, heralding fall.
I looked toward the clear, blue fall sky. The afternoon sun shone down on me but the rays didn’t warm my chilled skin. The light, loose dress offered me no protection against the cold breeze blowing by.
For a moment, I wondered if the path I was on would take me to the main gates of the estate. If everything Lilja told me was true, the entrance points would be heavily guarded. It was probably the only reason no one was guarding the manor’s doors.
I looked toward the woods again. They would offer me protection and hide me well. I could stay there until nightfall and then, proceed toward the estate’s gates. It’d be easier to creep around at night than walking around in broad daylight this way.
Making up my mind, I changed direction and ran toward the woods.
My feet flew over the grass, taking me closer to my destination. My heart beat hard as I struggled to draw enough breath, all the while keeping up my furious pace.
My mind went to my three captors. By now, I was sure Yakim, Leon, and Mikhail were the same people I knew as John, Rafael, and Danny.
My heart ached for the torture they suffered at Callum’s hands. All because they’d been close to me. If I’d been a true angel or a princess like they called me, I’d have stayed back and atoned for the sins of my brother.
But, I wasn’t one.
I was just Lucia Baldwin, a very ordinary woman who’d spent the last seven years as a prisoner in her own home. Nothing mattered to me more than my own freedom.
I didn’t want to be a captive to Callum or the Volkov brothers. My life was precious to me too and I wanted to use it to protect the only person who’d die without me.
Dad, I’m coming, I thought, hoping he’d hang on until I could get him away from Callum.
The thought of getting out of this place replaced all my concerns.
