Page 53 of Sick Little Devotion

Leaning forward, I plant a kiss on the side of her head. “Deal. I’ll see you when I get back then. Be a good girl.”

She looks me dead in the eye. “I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

SAHARA

His leaving couldn’t have been better timing—and I have no intention of being a good girl. No, this is my one shot to get out of here and make sure the girls are okay. It hurts to lie to him, but I’ll ask for forgiveness once I’m back and I know the girls are safe. Though, I have to admit that I have no idea what I’m going to do once I get there.

I don’t know where I am, either.

It’s a problem, but not one that I can’t figure out. I know that first, I have to get past the security guards and the alarm system. It shouldn’t be all that hard to accomplish, given that I’m the lovely lady of the house, right?

Hopefully.

As soon as I see Aiden leave, his car zooming down the winding drive, I jump into action. I flip the covers back and head for the bathroom. I need to look presentable, but not over the top. I flip through the clothes in the closet, opting for a tight black blouse and a pair of light wash jeans. I pair the outfit with a white cropped jacket and a pair of white platform sneakers. I spend the next twenty minutes fixing my disheveled hair and dabbing on enough makeup to look normal.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I might have never done this before, but I can only assume that the best course of action is to act as if whatever I’m doing is perfectly normal. No sneaking, just doing.

Without a license or money, I’m going to be relying on whatever Aiden has around the house, but to make an illusion that I’m legit, I grab one of the purses and toss a few things inside to make it at least appear used.

I can do this. It’s for the girls.

I have no way of letting them know that I’m coming, but I did tell her that it would be as soon as possible. And I’m lucky that I’ve been given a solid window of opportunity. I make my way down the stairs, eyeing the area. There’s no one in sight, which seems to be the norm.

Glancing around, I head in the direction of the garage, not knowing exactly where I’m going. I know there are men posted up somewhere in the house, but I don’t know where. But also, where are the car keys? And is there another car for me to take?

I bite down on my lip as I slink closer to the garage, searching for any sign of keys. Finally, as I enter the mudroom, I notice the key rack. There are three sets hanging there. I have no idea what they go with.

Shit.

I peer at the fobs, finally pulling off one that I recognize. Mercedes. I can pick out a Mercedes. I grab that set and try the garage door, bracing for an alarm.

None sounds.

I breathe out a sigh of relief and flip on the garage light. There, in the middle of the garage, is a black Mercedes SUV. I hit the unlock on the key fob, and the lights flash. Everything about it feels too easy. Way too fucking easy. I make my way to the driver’s side door, opening it and sliding inside. I adjust the seat and search for the garage door opener.

Prepare for the alarm.

Two deep breaths later, I punch the button, and sure enough, the alarm sounds. I put it in reverse, and as I do, a man in a suit comes rushing into the garage.

This is where I have to play it cool.

I roll down my window. “Could you turn that off? I’m so sorry. I forgot to disarm it.” I give him a purposefully weak, embarrassed smile.

“Where are you going?” the dark-headed security guard snaps at me, his gaze narrowing.

“I was supposed to ride with Aiden this morning to his meeting, but I couldn’t get ready in time. I told him I’d meet him there.”

He studies my face but seems to buy it, turning and punching a code into the alarm. Then, he turns back to me. “You shouldn’t let the alarm go off with everything that’s going on. You might get yourself shot.”

I nod quickly, not really understanding anything he’s said. “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugs and waves me out. “Go. He doesn’t like it when anyone runs late.”

I give him a small, once again, slightly embarrassing wave and back out, my heart beating so loudly I can barely hear anything else. I start toward the end of the drive and see the security guard smash the door close button on the wall.

Oh my God. I did it.