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5
VERONICA
Iwasn’t sure how long I stood by my window just thinking of my life, of all the dreams I’d had, and how much it had all changed. But once again, the anxiety surged to the surface, latching her claws around my heart and squeezing.
I needed to get out of the house. That much I knew for certain. The walls were closing in on me, threatening to crush me with the blood and secrets they contained.
I slipped out of my room silently, hoping enough time had passed that I could sneak outside without being noticed.
My feet were silent with my socks on, and I held the runners close, not wanting to go outside barefoot. I’d thrown on a warm jacket, just wanting to let the cool night embrace me and help me figure out the jumbled mess inside my mind and get a handle on my chaotic emotions.
I paused at the top of the stairs, straining to hear anyone. I’d glanced into the bedrooms, finding they were empty.
The TV was going downstairs, and my stomach sank.
No, they couldn’t keep me prisoner here, not after that. They’d wanted me to believe I had some say in things, and now this was going to prove whether or not that was true.
So why was it eating at me from the inside? This uncertainty, like I was surrounded by vipers, waiting for them to strike?
I’d lived my life long enough worried about doing the wrong thing. I’d jumped from that bridge expecting to die. I couldn’t be afraid now.
I sucked in a steadying breath and took the first step onto the staircase, thanking the wonderful builders for somehow making them not creaky at this one moment in time. Either that or I was finally in luck.
I crept down the stairs, my heart hammering wildly, threatening to give me away as I focused on keeping my breathing steady.
As I reached the last step, I craned my neck to glance into the living area, my gaze glossing over the TV and then the back of Enzo’s head.
I froze as I stared at him, until the realization sunk in. He’d fallen asleep on the corner of the couch, his head resting on the cushion as he still faced the TV.
Perfect.
The soft sounds of the show he had on would help hide my exit and give me some breathing room from them all.
That’s all I needed, just some space, some air and distance from this lodge. I needed to think without their influence all around me.
I padded across the area, aiming for the back porch, knowing the front door wasn’t an option. The guards would see me from the guards’ quarters, although I didn’t doubt for a second that there were cameras set up all around this place. Someone would see me leave and they’d come find me, but hopefully I’d haveenough time to just get my thoughts in order and figure out my next step, what I ultimately wanted to do.
Where were Zane and Kieran? They weren’t out here, and I wondered if they’d gone out to dispose of Callum?
I shoved that wretched thought from my mind, focusing on the task at hand.
I paused at the doors leading out onto the porch, casting an uneasy glance at Enzo, half expecting him to be sitting up and watching me, like he’d sensed my attempt to leave the building.
Instead, I saw him still passed out, his eyes closed and his face soft.
It made me pause, seeing him so at ease and content. A man who’d shown me such tenderness and care, such affection.
A man who’d also just helped murder my fiancé.
That thought broke my trance, and I unlocked the door, slipping outside as silently as I could.
I pulled on my runners, daring a glance overhead and scowling at the camera on the corner of the building, angled right down at me.
I wouldn’t have much time to myself, depending on who was monitoring those things.
If it was Hank, maybe he’d let me get some breathing space, unless he thought I was running.
Did they have dogs they’d set loose on me?
