“Believable?” She looked over her shoulder, her arms propelling her forward. “I’ve learned from the best.”
Awkward silence fell. We headed deeper into shadow.
Jasmine broke the brittle tension. “What made you doubt now?”
I paused. I’d asked myself that same question. The only conclusion I could come up with was:because I’m finally listening to the truth rather than what I hear.
I didn’t reply. Instead, I answered her question with another. “Everything that happened in the meeting...that wasn’t real?”
Her lips twisted into a mysterious smirk. “You already know the answer to that.”
“I don’t know anything anymore.”
She laughed under her breath. “That’s a testament to my planning skills.”
We ducked under another camera. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll catch us?”
She gave me a hard smile. “Nope.”
“But won’t Cut see the recordings?”
She smiled wider. “Nope.”
I didn’t bother asking again. She’d done something. And I guessed I’d never know.
My fitness level wasn’t useful as we ducked and weaved through the ancient Hall. Jasmine kept up a wicked pace, and every heartbeat crushed me with the same unbelievable message.
He’s alive.
He’s alive.
Get to him faster.
Chasing Jasmine in her all-black attire and swiftness, my mind filled with other questions. Where did she spend her days? How did she get around? How had she kept this a secret? “How do you move from upstairs to the groundfloor?”
Her eyes widened at my seemingly random question. “I have a private elevator in the centre of the house. It leads to a few floors.”
“There are more?”
She snorted. “Seriously? Haven’t you seen the size of this place? There’s probably hundreds of rooms you still haven’t seen.
Prisons and bedrooms and secret vaults full of treasures.
Could Jethro’s mum be hidden in one? Could there be countless hidden mysteries just waiting to bring the Hawks down?
A chill ran down my spine. “Tell me what’s happening. Where’s Jethro?”
She shook her head. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
“I’ve already proven that I do.” Removing the dresser and following Jasmine had shown two things: one, that I was willing to put my life in her hands, and two, that I was willing to do anything in order to save her brother.
He’s alive.
He’s alive.
It’s not over.
“All you need to know is he’s holding on, and I need your help.”
