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My head is propped on my hand as I stare into space, lost in thought. My mind is in turmoil from all Emma has revealed.
Her hand on mine brings me back to the present. “I believed William’s story that Max was the monster who was stalking and obsessed with you, even though I knew of William’s… fascination with you in high school. I thought he had moved on in California.” She shakes her head. “But I’m not sure what is going on with him.” She stares at me for a few moments, opens her mouth, then closes it.
Shaking her head, she said, “I will keep my ear to the ground and try to figure out what is going on.” Emma leans forward, pushing a lock of hair from my face. With a motherly smile on her face, she says, “Keep the faith about Max. And as much as I’ll miss you, if you get your chance for an escape, take it.”
Nodding, I don’t say anything. Although Emma seems to be on my side, there’s still a chance she isn’t. She’s worked for William for years and I really don’t know her that well. How do I know this isn’t a ploy?
Searching her face, there’s nothing to indicate she’s not sincere.
Who and what am I to believe?
Chapter four
Irelynn
October7,2018,3:30a.m.
My eyes grow heavy, emotional exhaustion taking a toll on me.Stay awake, Irelynn.Pinching myself, I sit up on the bed, crossing my arms over my chest and looking at the clock that sits on the nightstand beside me. Its glowing numbers shine brightly, mocking me as time continues to slowly pass by, and still, there’s no sign of William.
It’s 3:30 a.m. Where the hell is he?
From the chair beside me, Emma’s soft snores flow through the room as she slouches in the chair, arms crossed over her chest and ankles crossed on the ottoman, fast asleep.
I roll over onto my side on the bed to stare out the window. Dark shapes move in the distance from the breeze blowing outside. Goosebumps erupt over my skin.
As much as I hate being held captive in this creepy room, at least when William is here, I feel safe.
I’d feel a hell of a lot safer if Max were here with me. The mere thought of him causes tears to well in my eyes and burn my skin as they roll down my cheeks. Despair washes over me at the image of him being inside the warehouse at the time of the explosion. My vision blurs as I picture Max’s handsome face.
God, I fucking miss him.
Clasping my hands together, I close my eyes, praying Max somehow got out of the warehouse before the explosion.
Opening my eyes, resolve courses through my body. The only way I’ll know what happened to Max is to escape this damned house, which means I need to gain William’s trust.Even if Max… oh fuck… I can’t…sobs shake my body and I press my hand tightly against my mouth, trying to stifle them.
My hands clench into fists, anger filling my body. I’m pissed at myself for not telling Max I loved him.
But I was terrified to confess my feelings because I wasn’t being truthful with Max.
I was too scared to tell him what happened with William.
And until I could be honest and reveal the entire sordid story, it didn’t seem right to say those three words.
Hearing a noise, I sit up in bed, my ears straining to hear William’s footsteps heading toward the bedroom. After a few moments, a sigh escapes me as I fall back onto the fluffy pillows.
Damn it. Where is Will?
Turning my head, my gaze roves over Emma’s peaceful form, dozing in the chair. The information she told me about William’s family and his past swirls through my head.
And for the first time in years, I allow myself to go back to that fateful December night, when I chose to go with my best friend to William’s party.
The music blasts in my ears as I step through the doors of William’s mansion, the haze of smoke thick in the air. The pungent aroma of marijuana causes me to cough, and I wave my hand in front of my face. I’ve never smoked and don’t intend to start.
As I follow Terryn deeper inside the mansion, my eyes roving around at the ostentatious wealth so clearly on display, laughter draws my attention from the lavish surroundings. Three girls rake their glazed eyes over Terryn and me disdainfully as they puff on a joint. I give them a tight smile as we walk past.
A loud, shrill voice pierces my eardrums. “There goes William’s prissy princess.” Pausing, I slowly turn around, meeting their angry glares. The trio of girls give me large, fake smiles, but don’t say anything else.
But I don’t expect them to. Not here. If we were in school, they’d certainly take their shots at me. But not inside the King’s castle.
