At least there he’s got eyes and ears everywhere, and it’s within walking distance.
No matter how bad things get, he can get me out, but I still don’t like being kept in the dark.
I sigh. “Do we at least know why?”
“It’s not my place to question orders,” she says tersely. “Nor is it yours.”
A kernel of guilt settles in my stomach, and I frown.
How much more trouble can Katia endure on my behalf?
There’s a difference between keeping me safe within the Mason estate and protecting me from myself.
I know it’s only a matter of time before Katia snaps, and I no longer have any leeway.
I’m on a tight leash, and I have no one to blame but myself.
I follow Katia down a familiar path and out the back door. Outside, we slow to a stroll, and Katia nods to a few of the guards along the way. Once we cross the path separating the estate from the club, Katia’s strides lengthen, and her hands move to her sides. Her eyes dart around until we reach the back of the club, where Miss Deveroux is waiting for us, her features half-hidden in the shadows.
She leads us inside and up to the main part of the club.
Only a few people are milling around, and the music is turned down low.
Katia leads me to a booth in the back, and I sink into it. Miss Deveroux returns with several plates of food and a few drinks. She glances at Katia. Then she disappears, and I’m left with a pit in my stomach.
Has Miss Deveroux been instructed to keep her distance, too?
Did Mason figure out her involvement?
I want to be angry with him for making my circle even smaller, but I know he’s trying to protect me.
In his infuriating, domineering way.
You don’t even know what you’re dealing with. When it comes to safety, better leave the details to Mason.
Shaking my head, I sink further into the booth and pull one of the plates closer. I sweep my eyes over the empty dance floor and ignore the neon lights pulsing from above. The toast is like ash as I chew it. I push that plate away and reach for the plate offries. I’m halfway through when the hair on the back of my neck rises, and a tingling sensation spreads across my scalp.
I glance up, and my throat goes dry as I spot Noah across the room. He’s wearing a button-down shirt tucked into a pair of dark jeans, and a scowl is etched onto his face. I scramble out of the booth as Katia shifts closer, following my line of sight. She scowls when she sees Noah, her hand moving to the dagger sheathed at her side. Katia looks at me, and I shake my head.
Inches away from the table, I stop Noah by placing a hand on his chest. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I don’t want to be,” Noah replies tightly. “Your mom asked me to check in.”
My heart misses a beat. “Is she okay? Is my dad okay?”
“They’re fine,” Noah says. “Just worried about you.”
“Then they should answer the phone.” My words come out a little harsher than I intended. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
Noah shrugs. “It’s not like I haven’t been blamed for things I haven’t done before.”
I study his face. “None of this is your fault, Noah. I’m not blaming you for how things turned out.”
“Maybe the kidnappers were trying to do us a favor. I mean, it would’ve been better if they’d kept you away from this place.”
A sliver of unease races up my spine. “I never said….”
I trail off as a prickle of fear blossoms inside my chest.
