“You’re here for a reason, a reason you don’t need to know. So why don’t you go back in the house, relax, and think about your boyfriend back home.”
He moves past me again and walks up to the boat, leaving me dumbstruck.
“Really?” I call out. “That’s what you’re going to do? Spin this around on me? Well, first of all, he’s not my boyfriend, and second of all, you have no fucking right to be jealous, Keller. No goddamn right,” I shout. “You left me. You chose to leave because you were too chickenshit to fulfill the responsibilities of being by my side, so before you start shitting on me about seeing someone else, point the finger at yourself first.”
With that, I turn away from him and head back into the house. The arrogant prick.
Think about my boyfriend . . .
Seems like he’s been thinking about him enough for us both.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
KELLER
I grip the side of the boat, my fingers digging into the wood so hard that I hope for splinters, anything to take away this brutal agony ripping through me.
Why did I think when she saw me, she’d be relieved?
Why did I think when I saw her, everything would be okay?
Why did I actually, momentarily think she wouldn’t believe the letter that was left on my desk the night before the wedding, that she’d give me the benefit of the doubt?
Fucking naive.
So fucking naive.
And for her to think the goddamn worst of me? After everything I’ve said to her. After the promises I made to her. Not for one second did she believe that something could have happened to me? That something could have pulled me away from her?
No, she just assumed I was . . . as she put it, too chickenshit to stand by her side. She assumed I wasn’t man enough to walk down that fucking aisle.
She thought the worst of me, and that hurts more than everything I’ve been put through over the past three months. My love for her kept me alive. My belief in her,in us, kept me focused.And for what?
I heard what she said to Runa. I heard her comment on Evan being a good fit.She. Moved. On.Because she had absolutely zero faith in me. Well, if that’s the case, then she can be with fucking Evan.
I’ll fulfill the promise I made to myself, figure out who kidnapped me, and I’ll end them. After that, Lilly is on her own.
From my pocket, I pull out the burner phone I picked up, and I type in Theo’s personal cell phone number. Very few people have it. I don’t want him to worry, but I don’t trust anyone else. So I send him a vague text.
Keller:Gisla is safe. Mole in the palace. Will report. – Rogue
I press send, knowing he’ll read the text and know exactly what to do.
He’ll pull Ottar and Lara into a secure room and explain to them what’s going on. Hopefully, he’ll connect me with Ottar on a private line so I can communicate with him about what I know. Until then, I’ll wait.
I move into the boat and pick up the two other boxes of supplies and carry them into the house.
When I was planning my escape from Arkham, I knew exactly where I’d go with Lilly if I found out she was in trouble. Theo’s private island would offer security, the perfect escape, and all the resources we might need. After I escaped the palace in Arkham, which proved to be a lot easier than I expected, I stole a car and drove out of the city to the coast where I boarded a boat for free in exchange for my labor. I worked hard enough to earn my free fare and some clothes.
When we arrived in Torskethorpe the next day, I was glad for the beard and shaggy hair, because it helped me walk through the streets without being recognized. From there, I followed the passageway that my kidnappers took that led right up to my room and rummaged for clothes and anything I might need that I could fit into a backpack, then I quietly washed myself down in the sink, not wanting to make any noise, and changed into all black. Sneaking into Lilly’s room wasn’t difficult since they took the guards away. I’m not sure why. That’s something I need to talk to Lara and Ottar about. From there, it was seamless. Took my seaplane that Theo gifted me a few years ago and flew it down to the island.
And now that I have my supplies, I can get started on my important work of keeping Lilly safe and figuring out who’s responsible for all of this.
I set the boxes down in the living room where Lilly is sitting on the couch, cross-legged, looking really fucking pissed, but I ignore her and start unpacking the fresh food and non-perishables. We have enough to last us a few weeks.
“Went grocery shopping, did ya?” she asks in the same snarky tone she used when she was pissed at me in Harrogate. “Buy any fish? Oh wait, you probably have plenty from all the fishing you’ve been doing.”
I ignore her and stock the shelves.
