Guilt creeps up in me that I didn’t as I sit on a sofa in Grey’s living room with my laptop open in front of me. He called us shortly after and gave us the location of his house so I could track James from there.
I have a piece of gum in my mouth that I’m chomping on to avoid grinding my teeth, a bad habit of mine when I’m stressed. River is talking with Grey over by the fireplace, the conversation centering on the information Grey has given us.
“Do you really believe there’s an island out there that’s meant for Maddy to rule from?” River asks Grey as he takes a sip of the drink he’s holding. “Or has my father gone off the deep end?”
“There have been rumors of the island for decades, but no proof of its existence.” Grey stares into the flames in the fireplaces, then glances at the maps that he has framed on the wall. “However, usually rumors and legends stem from some sort of truth. So we just need to find out the truth.”
“But then what? I mean, my father has found out Maddy is an Everford, and while he may not want to kill her, other families will if they find out who she is. So doesn’t that mean she’ll bein danger even after we rescue her?” River yanks his fingers through his hair. “How do we keep her safe?”
It’s crazy seeing River act so protectively and obsessed over a woman when he’s spent so much time refusing to date anyone due to him being betrothed to Isla. But I don’t blame him. Maddy is fucking amazing. Not that I’ll ever admit that aloud. Why would I? She clearly likes River, and he likes her. Finn also has a thing for her, even though he’s never said anything about it. But anyone who pays attention to him whenever he’s around Maddy would be able to see it. I wonder if River sees it. I wonder if he cares.
Why do I care?
Why am I obsessing right now?
Because Maddy is perfect.
I shove that thought from my mind and focus on the task in front of me. I click the mouse and tap the app, letting the program load. A moment later, a map appears on the screen.
“It’s loading,” I announce as I watch the location upload.
It takes a while because James has a massive amount of protection on his phone, and it took me even longer to hack into it and plant the location app. Months ago, when I managed to do it, I had felt like I’d finally gotten a tiny bit ahead of the game he’s been forcing me to play. Now, I’m just grateful I did it because it could help us locate Maddy and Finn.
River and Grey rush over to the sofa, where they can see the screen. The location pops up then, and Grey mumbles, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
River lets out a string of curses. “Of course, he’d take her there. I should’ve guessed that from the start.”
“It’s better that we know for sure, though,” I remind him while frowning at the screen.
Their reactions are justified given that the island James’ phone is on is one of the most secluded and dangerous places toreach. In fact, it’s almost impossible to get there without proper planning and the permission of the owner, aka River’s father.
“How the hell are we supposed to get there without my father knowing we’re coming?” River asks, shaking his head as he grips the drink he’s holding. “It’s impossible, even with your bodyguards.”
“It’s not impossible,” Grey says as he stares out the window at the city glittering against the night. “We just need a plan. A really good one.”
“How do we know Maddy and Finn are there with him?” I point out as I set my laptop down on the table in front of me. Then I stand up and turn to face them. “Just because he’s there, doesn’t mean they are.”
“They’re there,” River says, then downs the rest of his drink. “It’s the perfect place to keep someone hostage. It’s secluded, dangerous to get to, and you can’t get there without permission from the owner of the island. Trust me, Maddy and Finn are there.”
“Then we’re going to get onto that island,” Grey informs us, then ominously adds, “No matter what the cost.” He grows quiet then, giving us a chance to back out. River won’t.
He’s already heading toward being in love with Maddy, if not already there.
Me? I could walk away. I’m not in love with her. In fact, Maddy and I have barely spoken. But she helped me out when she barely knew me, no questions asked, not strings attached.
She really is the most wonderful person I’ve ever met.
I realize then that I won’t back out of this and that I may do just about anything to get her away from James.
Even risk my own life.
CHAPTER 20
MADDISON
One of theworst parts about being locked up is the lost time. I’m not positive how many days have gone by since we were brought here, but my best guess would be about ten days; but I could be wrong.
Whatever the number of days it’s been, one thing is certain. Finn and I are going a bit insane from being trapped. To add to the insanity, every day is pretty much the same. We’re served food through the compartment door, given clean clothes through it along with other necessities, and then we’re left alone to be watched by the cameras.
