We hurried through the suite, navigating past the furniture scattered around the spacious rooms. When we got to the front door, Nigel put a finger to his lips and slowly pulled the door open. He poked his head into the hall, then quickly pushed me out.
My suite of rooms was located on the second floor of the east wing, with only the staff permeated there. Luckily, most had left for the night or were helping with the festivities downstairs. The thick, plush carpet absorbed our rushed movements as we reached the elevator at the end of the hall. A recent addition to the manor, it made getting downstairs less of a marathon.
We loaded into the small unit, and Nigel immediately pressed the down button.
The two of us were tense as we waited for the doors to open, hearts racing as we wondered whether we’d make it or not. When the elevator ground to a stop and Nigel pushed me across the marbled foyer toward the back of the house, I got the feeling we would. I was practically buzzing with some odd mixture of anxiety and relief.
Faint music and laughter drifted from the garden as we sped to the staff parking lot, stopping next to a dark-colored truck. Nigel quickly opened the door and helped me into the back of it, and I huffed as I struggled to find a spot among what felt like a bunch of boxes.
“Where the hell did you get these wheels, Nigel?” I complained. “What is all of this stuff?”
“It should be emp—”
“Nigel, a word please.”
The sound of Eddie’s voice caused us both to freeze. My eyes widened and Nigel kept a cool façade, clearing his throat as he sent me a look of reassurance.
“I’ll be right back,” he muttered before disappearing from view.
I laid there, awkwardly sprawled out in a sea of containers, my breathing completely shallow as I listened intently, but no sound came from outside. I tried not to panic, but my heart was already starting to race. I felt like a caged animal, being stuffed inside a cramped van, but here I was outside that manor and one short drive away from being completely off the premises, so I still felt less like a caged animal than I had in a long time.
I already couldn’t imagine letting go of this feeling so soon. If Eddie found us now, it would all be over, and I would never get another chance.
Adrenaline pumped throughout my system and my already strained muscles clenched in pain. Just when I was trying to figure out what to do, the doors abruptly slammed shut.
“Nigel?” I called quietly.
I vaguely registered the driver’s door opening and closing, and the vehicle shook slightly as the engine rumbled to life. Then, the truck began to move, and I felt as if I could breathe again.
I leaned against the side of the vehicle, closing my eyes as I let out a sigh. A grin split my lips as I mentally patted myself on the back.
The gala had been the perfect time to get out of the manor and away from my overbearing staff. I’d spentweeksplanning this escape, and I knew this would be the best option. Everyone’s attention was focused elsewhere, giving Nigel and me the perfect opportunity to get out undetected.
Even in the midst of my excitement, my eyes slid shut, fatigue creeping over me like an undetected wave in the ocean. Another symptom of my condition. Bone-deep exhaustion that was present even if I did nothing. Some days, it was almost impossible to get out of bed.
I don’t know how long I was sleeping, but the back doors finally opened and then a feminine scream followed. Once again, I was bathed in darkness as the door slammed shut.
“What the hell?” I murmured groggily. “Nigel?”
I tried to blink the sleep out of my eyes as I struggled to sit up from the containers.
The doors opened once again and instead of seeing the familiar man, a woman that I didn’t recognize was standing there, looking as if she’d just caught sight of a serial killer. She let out another shriek and I squinted my eyes, trying to get my bearings and somehow make sense of it all. What in the world was happening?
“Hey! Did you hear me?” she questioned wearily. She kept her distance, and I imagine if she’d had a stick, she would’ve used it to poke me. “What are you doing in my truck?!”
I looked her over quickly, wondering whether I was hallucinating or maybe having some sort of odd dream. The soft light from behind her gave her dark brown skin an ethereal glow. Long, thick plaits fell around her shoulders. She wasbeautiful. But she wasn’t Nigel by any means, which was a major problem. Panic clawed at my insides as I glanced behind her, hoping to see my caregiver standing there. But he wasn’t.
“Who are you? Where’s Nigel?” I finally asked.
Quinn
My eyes narrowed at the sickly looking intruder’s slurred words, the way he struggled among the empty boxes and containers, seemingly unable to pull himself up. “Are you drunk?”
“If only,” he said and let out a dry chuckle, grunting as he fell backward. How in the world had he even managed to make it into the back of my truck in this state?
My eyes narrowed further. “Look, this isn’t some motel. You can’t just crash in the back of my company van! Who are you and why are you in here—no,howdid you get in here?”
“It’s complicated.”
