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“Drones were circling,” Diego informs us as we descend the stairs. He’s got what I’m guessing is a sniper rifle in his hand. “I took them all out.”
“It was hot,” Aurora says, popping her head out from behind Diego. I hadn't noticed Aurora at first. The man is giant. Aurora bites her bottom lip and looks up at Diego. I swear I see little hearts dancing over her head. I’ve never once seen her interested in a man. She always says she didn't want the attention that came with it. I think she just doesn’t want someone to want her for her fame. She doesn’t want to drag anyone into a life in the spotlight. I know she loves what she does, but she hates the lack of privacy that comes with it.
My eyes shift back and forth between the two of them. Diego actually looks afraid of Aurora. Most men are trying to get closer to her. He looks like he wants to run. I’m guessing Diego had no clue who Aurora was before we all came crashing into their lives.
“There are vehicles coming up the road. They’re not far from the main gate,” Tiernan says as he enters the main space of the lodge. He’s got Daphne by the arm. I don’t think he’s let her out of his sight since he laid eyes on her.
“If you don’t stop manhandling me, I’m going to cut off the one thing that makes you a man.” Daphne pulls at her arm, but he still doesn't let go. He only looks down at her with a smirk on his face.
“I think we’ve been found.” I tell Daphne the obvious.
“I swear I was fucking careful. At least I thought I was.” Daphne’s face is filled with remorse. Tiernan doesn't look like he believes her. I didn't think for one second that she brought them here. Why would she? She wants the exclusive story. Daphne is competitive; there is no way she would have risked someone else getting the scoop.
Charles runs a hand down his face. I’m starting to see that he and I are alike in a lot of ways. In the same way I watch out for the girls he watches out for his men.
Everyone is here but Bells and Barrow. I’m guessing he hasn’t alerted her to what is going on because he wants her to continue to rest, which is for the best. Bells has a bit of a temper, and she gets excited easily. More so than the rest of us.
“I’ll go out there and tell them all to fuck off,” Daphne says. She shakes her arm again but still has no luck getting free of Tiernan. Based on the way he keeps looking at her, I’m starting to think that she’s never going to get free.
“I’m going to the gate. The only reason they should be here is because Diego shot down their drones,” Charles says.
I cringe, not wanting anyone here to get in trouble because of us. These men not only saved us, but they have been keeping us here safe.
“Everyone stay put,” Charles orders.
I hear Aurora asking Diego where he learned to shoot like that. She leans into his side, making him tense up.
I stand there for a moment. I want to go down there, too. These girls are my responsibility. I don’t have to take orders from Charles. Except in bed. That’s different.
“You’re with me, pretty eyes.” He grabs a big heavy coat for me to put on.
My heart melts that he knew I’d want to be a part of talking not only to the police but the paparazzi. He holds the coat open for me. I walk over to him, allowing him to help me put it on. “Stay behind me until I assess the situation.”
I nod my head even though I don’t really plan on doing that. He grabs my hand, leading me to the door.
My mind begins to race thinking about what lies outside. A pang of guilt hits me as I think about the fact that maybe we’ve really put everyone here in danger. They’ve all been living here in peace and quiet. Trying to lead normal lives, and now we’ve brought all this attention to their doorstep. By helping us, they’ve been exposed.
Charles grabs me and kisses me hard. Everything leaves my mind for a moment as I kiss him back. “Everything is going to be fine. This is restricted land.”
“The drones?” I’m guessing you can’t go around shooting drones out of the sky. If only. I would have been doing it for years.
“Fair game. This is a restricted fly zone.”
My eyes widen because I know what that means. Charles must know some very important people or do tasks for them sometimes. There aren't many no-fly zones in the States. I know this because Aurora owns a plane.
“What’s on the gate cameras?” he asks.
“Can’t see shit. The assholes spray-painted them or did something to take them out.” Tiernan sounds almost murderous.
“Sounds like them.” I wince. I hate them so much.
“Let's get this over with. I’ll tell the paparazzi to fuck off, and you tell the cops to fuck off.” What does it matter at this point if the paparazzi know we’re here? The whole point was to get away, and from the look of Charles’ face, no one is getting anywhere near any of us.
14
CHARLES
Ikeep Clover behind me. She cozies up to my back as I slowly open the door leading from the lodge down to the gate.
