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That was something he’d told himself in the past. Something he’d come to believe deep in his bones and lived each day.
But where he took it to mean that he should give up, Sandy meant it in a much calmer, calculating manner. There was no point in being angry when she could instead be planning or plotting or waiting for something to happen.
But that’s because she didn’t know better. She didn’t realize what danger awaited her.
It didn’t matter if he wasn’t worthy of saving her. He had to find a way to do it.
Loud footsteps approaching from outside hardened his decision. Turning, he grabbed her by the arms and gave her a firm look.
“I’m sorry. The things I said were lies. That was just me trying to make you want to leave. I didn’t mean any of it.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Apology accepted.”
“They’re right. I still react like a child. Treating you that way was immature. I should have just spoken to you directly.”
“Trying to protect me isn’t childish at all. Thank you, Rane.”
“I’ll find a way to get you out. I promise.”
“Okay.”
Her easy agreement settled something in him. A certainty that, finally, he was going to win something over his mother. He wouldn’t let her have this innocent female as well.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, lowering his hands. Fantasizing, for just a moment, about taking hold of her and bringing her into an embrace.
How wonderful would it be to hold her? To have that sweetness and warmth around him on all sides? To feel the comfort and kindness of another person?
All the more reason to help her escape before he realized that dream and became addicted to it.
The footsteps finally reached the door, and he stepped back as it opened. He didn’t need to look to know it was Orza and Kirs come to fetch him. He had been in here for some time. No doubt, his mother would want an update on progress.
Sandy looked confused, then concerned, when they grabbed him by the arms and dragged him out, but he didn’t fight them. He kept his gaze on her, smiling with this new sense of peace and determination that filled him.
If nothing else, he swore, he would save Sandy.
Chapter 7
Sandy
Curse her own bleeding heart. Now, she was less interested in escaping this place.
But how was she supposed to look at that poor, broken soul and not want to help?!
Sighing, annoyed with herself, she followed demurely behind Green as he and Blue escorted her around her wing of the manor.
Good behavior had, as it tended to do, paid off. Because Sandy had not made a fuss or yelled or even resisted, she was being trusted with more freedom. News that had been brought to her this morning by Blue with the simple-
“You’re being let out around the wing.”
They were showing her the limits of that freedom. It included a nice sitting room, a home gym with some basic equipment, and a reading room. She only knew it was a reading room because Green gruffly said just that – “Reading room,” – when he opened the door to show her. It looked more like a computer room to her, as there weren’t any books, but there were a few consoles. And she was told, in similarly short, borderline irritated language – “Everything’s monitored.”
So, she guessed she could fool around online, but someone would be watching her. They had her on a short leash. Interesting.
But not particularly bothersome since, at least for the moment, she had to shelve her plan of immediately contacting the embassy for help.
Though, really, they needed some way to make emergency contact in situations like this. It seemed to be a gap in their security. But that could be addressed later.
For now, the grumpy duo finished their tour, glared at her a little bit, then left, shutting the hallway door that led into the wing. It locked loudly behind them. Her prison might have gained some square footage, but it was still a prison, make no mistake.
