Fire lights me up inside, a flicker of anger and fear I can’t swallow down. I’m not sure why, but I feel like I’ve been ditched, abandoned without warning. I sit up, rest against the headboard and breathe through the irrationally dark thoughts whirling around my mind, fighting the urge to tear the note in half.
And then it hits me. I’m alone. In the middle of God knows where, completely alone. The silence settles in, the kind that amplifies every creak of the floorboards and cricket chirping happily outside the cabin. My skin prickles with awareness.
I could scream, and no one would hear me. For the first time since the accident, I’m truly on my own, and I don’t know howI should feel about it. The possibility of true solitude feels both liberating and terrifying.
Where is Kaden? Why would he leave?
I suck in a sharp breath as I realise the only rational answer to that.
After last night, Kaden wouldn’t have left while I was sleeping unless it was something seriously urgent. Even then, if someone was hurt or needed at work, he had no reason to wake me or include those details in the note.
I jump up and dress quickly. I need to catch up with him. I need to be in the know. What is he doing, and is he okay?
I try to catch my breath and rationalise, but in my gut I can feel it. He’s gone, and he’s going to do something stupid. To confirm my suspicions, I double-check the sideboard drawer where he unloaded and stashed his Glock yesterday.The drawer is empty.
Ok. I need a plan.
If he were meeting with my father, I know my father won’t leave the estate. He’s pretty cowardly when it comes down to the wire. I need to get there. And I need a piece.
Pulling my hair back and into a low pony, I walk through to the kitchen and to the landline on the wall. What a throwback - it’s adorable. With my brow furrowed, I dial one of the few numbers I know by heart. The only one who will be any help in this situation.
“Miriam?” I whisper as soon as the line picks up.
“Ashleigh?” Miriam whispers back, sounding shocked.
“I need your help.”
“Anything.”
13
Kaden
Iwake up before dawn, careful not to disturb Ashleigh. We must’ve fallen back to sleep. It’s been an exhausting twenty-four hours.
She’s curled on her side, her face peaceful in sleep. I let myself watch her for a silent minute, then slide out of bed, boots in hand.
I have shit to do.
I promised my Ash that I would take care of her, protect her from her father. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do, right now.
Outside, the cold bites but I lock the cabin, jump in the car and start my way to HQ. If I’m going to do this, I’ll be smart about it, and that means some back up.
I meet inside with Lee, Cassian and Gabe - whoever was free and game to jump on board. We do a quick run-through of our plan. It’s simple, everyone has comms and guns. Lee will enter the estate with me, Cass and Gabe will hang back at the gates with their long-range rifles. The guys will hide in the shadows, part of their speciality, in the event that things go south.
I doubt Marcus is stupid enough to make a move against me but desperation can cause people to do the craziest things. I’ve seen it before.
My breath fogs as I check my gear: sidearm, backup piece, comms in my ear. My team’s already in position, waiting for word. This isn’t a job I can walk into blind.
I slide into the car, phone in hand, fingers steady despite the adrenaline. I dial Marcus Burke’s number. He picks up on the second ring, voice rough—half threat, half curiosity.
“Marcus. It’s Kaden. I’m coming to you.”
A pause—then the faintest, dangerous chuckle. “You sure about that?”
“I want a ceasefire. Let’s talk. Face to face.”
I hear him breathe, weigh the offer. “Ok.”
