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“At least you’re optimistic,” Ryder mutters as he takes another peek around. “He’s just glancing around each level then moving on. He doesn’t want to be here anymore than we do.” Ryder looks at his sister. “Well, most of us.”
“Stop being a whiny bitch. You’re here by your own free will.”
“And so are you.” I tell her as she turns a glare on me. And I hope she will understand and take in what I’m saying. “No one is trapping you here, no one is chasing you. This building isn’t a threat. It’s empty. He’s gone. You’re alive. So can we please get the fuck out of here before we all get thrown in jail?”
“Good plan,” Ryder acknowledges as he takes another peek towards the staircase. “He’s almost on this floor.”
I move back, bringing Morgan with me as we slip into the room, Ryder following. We all stand there, watching the doorway as a light shines down the corridor. It’s a few minutes later when Ryder slowly steps back out into the hallway. “He’s heading back downstairs. The other one is still on the first floor. Let’s just stay here and wait them out.”
Shit. That still doesn’t sound like a good option, but I guess it’s the best of the bad choices we have.
Clasping Morgan’s hand, I’m shocked that she allows me to lead her across the corridor to a room facing the main lot where the patrol car is parked. “Let’s just hang out here until they’re gone.”
“Fine.” She pulls her hand from mine then folds her arms over her chest, looking out the window. We both remain quiet. Ryder makes his way over, glancing at the lot as we wait about ten minutes for the officers to finally get in their patrol car and drive away.
And I think it’s the first moment I’m able to take in a full breath of air. “Are you ready to leave now?”Please say yes.Because this place is making me insane, not to mention the thought of getting caught here.
“No, so stop following me, and just leave.”
Moving towards her, I know I’ll regret it before the words even leave my lips. “I’m not leaving until you do. So, walk through your hell. I’ll be a step behind to make sure you’re safe.”
I expect her to yell or throw an insult my way. Instead, she steps to me, her fingers gripping the fabric of my T-shirt as she moves her mouth next to my ear. “Always the hero. But who’s gonna save you?”
“The villain. Because one day she’ll realize she needs me around.”
“Just when I think you can’t say something stupider, you open your mouth.” Her lips brush along my jawline as she releases my shirt and walks out of the room.
19
MORGAN
It’s getting dark now. And before long, it’s just as dark as it was that night. I hold my phone up, shining the flashlight around. Something in me hesitates for a few seconds. Fuck. I’m still creeped out by this place and ready to get the hell out of here.
I feel completely exhausted. I didn’t want those two following me around. The police being here wouldn’t have bothered me if I’d been alone. Getting caught doesn’t bother me. But taking Ryder down with me isn’t something I can stomach, even if it’s his doing for not leaving when I told him to.
Heading down the staircase, I hear Ryder mumble some thanks that we’re finally leaving.
And I have to agree with him. I’m happy to leave and happy that I can just walk out of here. Ugh. Cade is right. I won’t find what I need here. I know I’m strong enough, brave enough, and all that shit. I just need to get this place out of my head once and for all.
“I need to burn it down,” I say aloud and immediately regret it.
“Morgan, it will do nothing but draw more attention to this place. Obviously something’s already brought their attention here since they’re searching around.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” I roll my eyes before continuing down the stairs.
“I said no,” Ryder yells. “And I mean it. You might think you’re invincible. But news fucking flash—you’re not. If you set this place on fire, it will be the end of keeping things under wraps, not to mention someone else could get hurt. Just leave it be. Smash something. Break something. But don’t burn down the place.”
“You’re no fun,” I grumble. But he’s right. If I burn down this building, it will lead to an investigation and draw some unnecessary attention to a murder he helped cover up.
“I’m not joking, Morgan. None of this is fun. Cut this shit out unless you want all of us to go down for it.” There he goes again. Because Ryder knows I won’t be able to make a move on what I think is the best plan yet, knowing it’ll could cost him too.
“Well, fuck. Maybe I can find a yacht to set on fire instead,” I joke, kind of, as I wink to Cade. But it’s Ryder who goes into another yelling lecture. “No, you will not. Let’s get the hell out of here. Now.”
Luckily for him, I don’t feel like arguing just to be a bitch.
* * *
Every time I look in the rearview mirror, the two fools are there. And they stay right on my ass until I get home. Once there, Ryder finally decides he’s done being a babysitter and stomps into the house.
