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Since I have little say in the matter I let my eyes close. Frankly, the closer they get me to my father the easier it will be to get to him, ask for forgiveness and see how he can help me get out of the mess I’m in. If I’m lucky that is, which doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
“Why didn’t you tell me in the alley?” I ask, my lips brushing against Victor’s neck as I speak. I don’t know why I feel safe in his arms, but I’m going to take the moment as a win and not analyze it too closely.
His head falls against the headrest. Lengths of hair fall over his temples. He looks exhausted. “And ruin all the fun we had? No way. Now sleep, Bailey. There will be time for questions later.”
He sounds as tired as I feel.
He brushes a hand through my hair and inhales deeply as if calming himself while he calms me. Strong arms hold me to a broad chest and I’m left with either fighting him and kicking my way out of here or giving in and waiting for the prime time to escape.
The latter sounds like the better option. But it doesn't change the fact that I’m scared to death of their kindness. In my experience, no one is kind for no reason and they already told me they want something in return for pulling me out of Chicago. Time will tell what they want for payment and if my father will pay their price.
You’re not dead so stop trying to picture your death at their hands,the voice in my head sing-songs. But I can’t help it. I’ve trusted before and everyone close to me has broken that trust with a sledgehammer.
Twenty minutes later I’m taken aboard a private plane and four and a half hours after that we land in Seattle to rain. An hour’s drive into the mountains has water turning into snow. Mounds of it.
Sunrise is only an hour away from the fading darkness on the horizon.
Victor hasn’t released me since Chicago, but at some point he’ll have to give me space. I’m still thinking about what I’ll do with it when the time comes.
Augustine rolls the car to a stop and I slowly peel myself out of Victor’s arms.
He pops the door open, and the icy air knocks the wind from my lungs.
I slide out, and my bare feet sink into the snow. There’s a low-cut stump nearby and I hop onto it. Winter wonderland goes on for what seems like miles in all directions. We’re in the middle of nowhere and I’m surrounded by killers who haven't tried to kill me yet.
“Where's my father?”
I don’t see another car or tire tracks, but fresh snow has fallen.
“Not here. Get her inside.”
Victor’s once protective arms turn into iron chains and lock around me, he swings me into his arms and this time I fight.
My elbow connects with his chin and while he’s knocked off balance, I shove at his chest with both of my hands.
I fall, take the hit to my hip and keep on rolling until I’m on my feet. Shards of pain shoot through my feet and up my fairly bare legs. Stockings are not cold proof. I might as well not be wearing anyone, really.
Something heavy swings from the inside jacket pocket. I reach in and pull out a piece of metal.
A switchblade knife. My luck is turning around.
Rays of sunshine burst over the horizon and throw our surroundings into dark purples and pinks. The new light throws Darius’ unamused expression into an array of shadows.
“You armed her?” He sounds more tired than shocked.
Victor shrugs like I could never harm them. “Didn’t think she would pull it on us after speaking with her father.”
I flick it open and slice at Augustine when he reaches for me.
My soul weeps. I really and truly hoped they meant to keep me safe. Not shove me into a cabin miles from civilization.
“I knew I couldn’t trust you.”
CHAPTERSIX
AUGUSTINE
Ilook down at my inner forearm to see dots of blood forming along the razor-thin slash through my favorite inked quote.
