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Mrs. Barinov’s book sits there, radiating like a heater. Instantly, I get weak. Part of me just wants to tuck myself under the covers and read the warm comforting words.
No. Don’t give into that urge. Together, you and Leo could build a world that you don’t constantly want to escape from.
With great effort, I turn away from the nightstand and charge back out into the hallway.
It’s not long before I’m busting through the rooftop door. There are no distractions up here—at least, nothing physical.
Sure, as I pace over the wooden tiles, I can still remember how Leo pinned me against the door and fucked my brains out. I can remember how he arranged a whole romantic dinner just for me, and then left me with only a tender kiss before it was even over.
But those memories don’t distract me.
Instead, I find that they serve as motivation.
Look at how far we’ve come; look at how much has changed; look at all that we have to fight for. I want more private dinners with him. I want more kisses. More fucking.
And I’ll get it… but only if I can do my part.
I must be pacing and plotting all day, because the next time I look up, the tiny slivers of sky that can be seen through the awning have gone black.
It’s dark out.
… And Leo’s still not back.
Despite my best intentions, a knot forms behind my chest. The worrying pain is enough to pull me from my intense brainstorming session, and I finally head back inside.
The house is silent, and I can hear my own footsteps as I slowly slink back to the bedroom, stomach growling. Did I really go the whole day on just some toast?
I try to think of what to make myself for dinner, but by the time I reach the bedroom, I can’t think of anything but Leo.
He told me where he was going. If things went well, he’d be back already… or he’d at least have sent Maeve over to keep me company.
But as I sit down on the edge of the bed, listening for any signs of life, I’m met only with silence.
Slowly, my gaze drifts back to Mrs. Barinov’s book.
… Maybe just a few pages… anything to calm my worried mind…
My hand is hovering over the cover when a noise makes me flinch.
Somewhere down the hall, a door creaks open.
Then, I hear footsteps.
My whole body freezes. Somehow, I know it’s not Leo.
… Yet the cadence is eerily familiar.
A cold shiver skates down my spine as I snap back to attention. Out of pure instinct, my eyes start to search the room for anything I could use as a weapon. But all I can see is Mrs. Barinov’s book.
I could never use it to protect myself, no matter how dire my situation was.
But the footsteps are getting closer. Heavier.
Part of me wants to shout out, part of me wants to hide. The indecision keeps me tied to the edge of the bed as a giant shadow creeps over the open door to my bedroom…
And then Castor appears.
“Oh thank god,” he sighs, the relief visible on his worn face.
