I snort a laugh. “After my epic fail last night, you really think I’ll be able to climb down?”
“I’ll be right there,” he protests.
I shake my head. “I have a better idea.”
He looks at me with a quirked brow. “Oh, really?”
“Mm-hmm.” I point at the hidden door. “We can just take the stairs. Agatha’s not here tonight.”
Ryder’s lips turn up in a smile. “Well, why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“I wanted to see your plan first.”
He shakes his head. “Then let’s go.” He doesn’t give me a chance to change my mind, just grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door. He looks back at me one more time, and I give him a tiny nod. Then he pushes the door open.
I haven’t even opened the door on my own. I’ve let Agatha open it, or my brothers. So, in a way, I’m glad Ryder is the one pushing it open. He slowly starts down the stairs but doesn’t let go of my hand. I’m scared it’s slippery from sweat, but he doesn’t seem to mind. One step at a time, we make our way down the steps. Four flights of stairs, and with each flight, I feelmy heart beating harder and harder. I swear he must be able to hear it.
We reach the bottom step, the landing that separates the entrance to the tower from Agatha’s home. “Ready?” Ryder asks.
My hands are shaking, my breaths are shallow, and my stomach is turning, but I repeat Ryder’s words in my mind.You’re smart and strong and brave. You’re smart and strong and brave.“Yes,” I say, and I’m proud of how little my voice shakes.
Ryder turns the handle and pushes the door open. The cold air hits my skin and shocks the nausea out of my system. He takes one step into the night, and I follow behind, taking my first step outside in six months.
I’m outside.
I’m OUTSIDE.
We’re standing at the front door, hands clasped together, the bite of frigid air stinging my face, but I’m OUTSIDE.
The anxiety turns to excitement, and I bounce on my toes. Ryder looks down at me with a grin. “Excited?”
“You haveno idea,” I say. I let out a little squeal, and Ryder laughs. So much for making him think I’m a grown woman. Once again, I’ve proven that I’m just his best friend’s little sister. But I don’t care. Nothing matters right now. Because I’m OUTSIDE, and I’m not just rushing from one hideaway to another. I’m free because I decided to come outside, and the feeling is exhilarating.
“Ready to go?” Ryder asks.
I nod. “Where are we going?”
Ryder’s lips turn up in a grin. “Follow me,” he says, and he leads me into the dark street, but I don’t feel afraid.
Not with him by my side.
CHAPTER 18
Lily
FRANZ LISZT — LIEDER AUS SCHWANENGESANG, S. 560
Our footsteps are quiet on the cobblestones, and we don’t talk as we walk through the shadows. Crickets chirp, a soundtrack just for us, and an owl hoots in the darkness.
Walking and listening to the nighttime sounds slowly calm my nerves. The air is cold around us, but I’m still so shocked by being outside that it feels good. I’d probably be sweating through my clothes in any other weather.
But can you blame me? The last time I walked freely outside was nineteen months ago. In Las Vegas. With a man who fed me pretty lies and made me think we were in love.
I turn my head to look at Ryder, wondering if I’m being taken advantage of again. But it’s an easy answer to me—of course not. Ryder has only cared about me and what I need. He’s entirely unselfish, considerate of my feelings. With Tristan, it was about what he needed and wanted, even when he was pretending to love me.
Besides, Ryder hasn’t made any kind ofrealmoves. Only the ones I play up in my imagination, pretending he means more than he actually lets on. To him, I’m the little girlwho got locked in a tower, and he’s being nice to me the way he’d be nice to a pet.
“You okay?” he says softly.
