Page 141 of Wicked Lord

As soon as Gage sent me a text to proceed, I scaled the brick wall and jumped to the ground on the other side. He’d hacked into the mansion’s security system and looped the footage so I wouldn’t be caught sneaking in.

Tonight, I was rescuing Lorelei from that evil son of a bitch, and we were getting out of Copper Cove.

My heart raced as I slinked through the pristine yard, the clear sky allowing the moonlight to light my path so I didn’t call attention to myself with a flashlight. I headed toward the east wing of the sprawling Victorian where Brock had practically locked her up like a captured princess.

Brock came looking for Lorelei at the country club before we could get away. It had killed me, but I had to let her go. Then the asshole took her to a mansion near the ocean and wouldn’t let her leave.

That had been two days ago.

Two fucking days.

The oil tycoon was an idiot if he thought I’d given up on blondie.

After I’d poured my heart out to Lorelei and learned she felt the same, there was no way in hell I could give her up.

She only ended things to protect me from Brock, but I could handle that prick on my own. His threats were nothing compared to what I’d do to him if he hurt her.

Blood already stained my hands. What was a little more, especially when it belonged to a psychopath like Haversham?

I found the second-floor balcony off Lorelei’s room, grabbed a pebble from the flower bed, and tossed it at the glass French doors. She appeared after a few moments, the soft light from the room framing her like a halo.

She looked like a fucking angel.

Myangel.

“But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Lorelei is the sun.”

She snorted on a laugh. “Wow. A football player spouting Shakespeare.”

Lorelei was my Juliet, but our story wouldn’t be a tragedy. I’d make damn sure of it. “I played Romeo at camp in the seventh grade.”

“Who was Juliet?”

I flashed her my most charming smile. “I can’t remember anyone before you, blondie.”

The breeze ruffled her golden hair as she leaned against the wrought iron railing, the humor fading from her expression. “Are you sure about this, Ax? Brock threatened to?—”

I lifted my hand to cut her off. “I can deal with him later. I’m not leaving here without you.”

Lorelei chewed on her bottom lip and then gave a sharp nod. “I’ll get my bag.”

My father was the one who suggested getting out of town for a few days. He wasn’t a stranger to assholes like Brock, and he must have sensed something in Lorelei after speaking to her at the country club. While we escaped to Bali for a little vacation, I’d devise a plan to deal with Haversham once and for all.

“Here.” Lorelei emerged from the room and tossed a leather Louis Vuitton bag over the balcony.

I caught it, thankful she hadn’t packed ten suitcases. She climbed over the railing and swallowed hard, scrutinizing the distance to the ground.

“Um, how do I get down?”

“Jump. I’ll catch you. I promise.”

She shot me a worried look but released the railing and fell right into my arms with a squeak.

“You caught me.” Her words came out in a breathy whisper.

“I’ll always catch you.” I kissed her quickly and then set her on her feet. “Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as we hurried across the manicured lawn. At the brick wall, I hoisted Lorelei up to the top where she waited for me to land on the other side. This time, she jumped into my arms without hesitation.