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“There’s a house in Vermont. No one knows about it but Maisie and me.”
“Do you have money?” Emily asks.
Nodding, I reply, “Cash. In the duffel bag I packed before Gideon captured us. He has the bag, but he agreed to return it when he frees Maisie.”
“Just in case…” Carina disappears down the hall, and when she returns, she hands me five hundred dollars and a credit card. “Shove that into your pants. If Gideon takes the car and your money, you can use this to get transportation.”
The thoughtful gesture touches me and I hug her. “Thank you.”
“Make sure you’re not being followed before you leave,” she tells me. “And call us if you need anything.”
The girls walk me down the stairs, flanking me. It makes me wish for more time with them. I bet we would be good friends, and I need more of those.
As we move through the foyer, the sound of men’s voices can be heard loud and clear. They’re arguing, not shouting necessarily, but the tone is heated.
“This isn’t the time or the place for this conversation. It isn’t Sinacore business,” Luca booms.
But he’s obviously ignored when who I believe is Noah says, “It’s not Sinacore business, but it is mine. Her father’s blood is on my hands, on your fucking orders, and you’re fucking her?”
All three of us freeze just outside the dining room doors.
“I’m not fucking her anymore,” Arran says. “And what you did for me was a favor you agreed to. A no-questions-asked favor. Or have you forgotten already?”
“I wish I could fucking forget,” Noah growls. “You told me he killed your sister. I’d never have my sister’s murderer in my bed.”
“You certainly didn’t have a problem fucking Emily when you thought her father had killed yours.” Arran’s voice lowers. “Or am I recalling that wrong?”
I turn to Emily, who’s standing there with her hand clasped over her mouth, her skin a deep shade of red. “Noah killed my father?”
Her brilliant blue eyes go wide as she stares at me. “Oh my God. I had no idea, Skye. He never said anything about it to me.”
“Of course he wouldn’t,” I grit through my teeth, anger beginning to rise from the pit of my belly. It cuts through all the confusion and allows me to see clearly. “It was business to him. A favor owed to Arran. ButIshould have known better.”
“Did you suspect it?” Carina asks.
My face snaps to hers at the realization that, yes, I suspected it. Tears burn in my eyes, part pain, part anger, and all shame. Because, in the beginning, I asked him. And I chose to believe him when he said he didn’t touch Daddy.
“I have to go,” I say. “Now.”
Carina gives me a curt nod. Then, as one, the three of us head to the garage. The guards don’t question us as we move quickly past them. They don’t even blink as I climb into one of three black SUVs and turn on the ignition.
“Remember, stop a mile before you get to the place and call me. You’ll have an hour before I rile up the men. Once they learn what you’ve done, they’ll want to get Clive out fast. But they’ll also come after you.” Carina reaches in through the window and squeezes my hand. “Go save your sister for the both of us.”
I don’t understand what she means by saving Maisie for her too, but I nod anyway. Then with all hesitation at giving up Arran’s beloved father gone, I step on the gas and make my way to Gideon.
20
SKYE
I’ve never thought of myself as weak. Sure, I’ve had weaknesses. Areas I could improve on. But I’ve always believed my strengths more than made up for that. I’m smart. Brave. Loyal.
And yet none of those things are helping me now. What does being smart do for me when I can’t think of a way to avoid someone’s death? And did I say loyal? Where was my loyalty when I hesitated after discovering Clive’s location because I knew his death would hurt a man who despises me?
Brave? All I can do is laugh through the tears as I make my way back to Pennsylvania, my arms trembling so hard, it’s tough to control the steering wheel. I’m scared of everything right now.
My emotions are all over the place. Fear, pain from betrayal, shame for not wanting to hurt Arran when all I should have cared about was Maisie. That any feelings I might have for him made me stumble, and I hate myself for it!
Weak. I’m weak on far too many levels.
