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I hit the tall bushes, scrabbling for purchase as my body bounced off the rounded top of the topiary, cut and shaped in a curve. I grabbed a handful of the hedge, managing to somehow stop my momentum, and dropped my body to the floor.
The cool grass, already damp with dew, was the most welcome relief under my body. My senses were in overdrive, and my flight instinct kicked in, telling me to get as far away as I possibly could, but if there was even a chance Allan was looking out of the window, he’d see me.
I waited.
A weird, vibrating sensation came from under my rib, and I shifted, pulling my tiny bag away from my body. I carefully drew out my phone, shielding it with my body, hiding the glow of the screen in case anyone was looking.
Caiden: Where the fuck are you? I’m coming back.
Shit.
Me: I’m outside. Round the back of the house.
Caiden: WTF?
Me: Be there in a few. DON’T COME FOR ME.
Caiden: Fuck that. Coming now.
Argh! He was so bloody frustrating, sometimes. Time to get out of here, and I just had to hope and pray that Allan didn’t see me. Or anyone, for that matter. If Arlo’s security caught me sneaking around the back of the house, I’d have some serious explaining to do.
Taking a deep breath, I crept around the side of the house, then ran for the gates, no thought in my head other than to get to the Four and get out of there.
“Winter!”
The shout came as I barrelled across the grass, running blindly in my bare feet, my heels left behind somewhere in the bushes.
Strong arms grabbed me from behind, pulling me back against a large body, and we skidded along the ground, losing our balance on the slippery turf. Then we were falling, and I landed with a thud, my face mashed into the cold, wet grass, unable to speak as the air had been knocked from my lungs.
Spots danced in front of my eyes as I struggled to take a breath, badly winded.
“Fuck. I didn’t mean to hurt her!”
I could’ve sworn that was Zayde’s voice.
“Let me get to her!”
Zayde’s weight was suddenly gone, and I could breathe again. I lay there, kind of stunned, and then I was suddenly lifted, surrounded on every side by pure, hard male. Muscles. Fucking delicious ocean scent. Strength but gentleness. Arms holding me tightly.
I burrowed into his warm body, sliding my arms around him. He carefully carried me, lifting me into the car, then pulling me back to him. He tightened his grip on me, running his fingers through my hair, and I closed my eyes.
I felt the rumble of an engine, and we were on the move. He held me still, cradling me in his arms.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”
I was starting to feel a little awkward. Now we were safely back at home, Caiden had deposited me on the sofa and was currently pacing up and down in front of me, his jaw set. The others were giving each other sidewards glances, which I translated as “you be the first to speak.” “No, you do it.”
Finally, Weston broke the silence with a heavy sigh. “What happened to your shoes?”
I chewed my lip. They weren’t going to like this. “Um…they’re in the hedge somewhere around the back of your dad’s house.”
“What the fuck were you doing?” Cade stared at me accusingly. “You’d better not have gone off on your own again.”
“It was a total accident. I didn’t mean to…I overheard something.” Before he could say anything else, I held up my hand. “Just a minute. Answer me this—how long has Allan worked for your dad, and how well do you know him?”
“Allan? What’s Allan got to do with anything?” Weston stared at me, confused.
“About nine years. We know him well enough.” Caiden stopped pacing and spoke slowly, the same confusion entering his gaze.
