Without any other option, we followed, our heels loud against the floor as the plush carpet gave way to bare concrete, the walls shifting from polished veneer toindustrial grey. Overhead, the soft golden glow of the party was replaced by harsh fluorescent strips.
I shot Aeris a desperate look, searching her face for any sign she had a plan. But she moved with unsettling purpose, her expression unreadable.
Which was fine, because I could panic enough for the both of us.
The hallway opened abruptly into a broad utilitarian space, a loading dock or something close to it.
“Through here.” We were guided through a gap, wide rolling doors lining one wall, their steel surfaces scuffed from years of use while the other was covered in shelves.
A man waited near the door, hands clasped behind his back, posture rigid. The guard behind me shoved lightly in warning as I froze.
Shit.
“Miss Sonne, how nice to see you again,” Jürgen greeted, his expression cold.
His eyes flicked over my shoulder, and before I could react, a man seized Aeris and yanked her violently to the side.
I spun, only for another guard to clamp a bruising hand around my arm. “Get off?—”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jürgen tutted, sounding almost bored. He gave a small gesture, and Aeris was dragged out of the room, the door slamming behind her. “You’re going to calm down,” he continued, “and come with me.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” I hissed.
The guard’s grip tightened, sending a sharp ache up my arm.
Jürgen didn’t blink. “Because if you don’t,” he said softly, “I’ll have your mother killed.”
My blood iced. “You’ll never get to her.”
Jürgen pulled a note from his pocket, opening it up with precision before handing it over.
I’m sorry, my flower. They promised to stop looking for you if I gave myself up.
Enjoy your life and the freedom I was never allowed.
Love you most.
I froze, recognising the tight, neat handwriting. She’d surrendered herself, all so I could live.
“Now that I have your attention.” Jürgen snatched the letter from my fingers, placing it neatly back in his pocket. “We’d better go. Your father is waiting.”
Chapter 54
Ryder
So getting the keycard to unlock the room hadn’t been the problem, nor was slipping inside undetected. The problem was the fact the room was entirely empty. As in not a single piece of paper, desk, or fucking plug where a computercouldbe. Christ, there wasn’t even a sodding coat hook. Only four plain walls and an offensively ugly carpet.
This was what happens when you don’t plan. Unbelievable, no one took my profession seriously.
Unlocking the door again, I eased it open a fraction. All I could do now was wait and hope the greeter, assistant, or whatever-the-fuck-his-title-was, realised his keycard had vanished. And that he was competent enough to come looking for it.
Thankfully for me, and unfortunately for the greeter, it only took a few seconds before he walked inside, muttering to himself as he reached for the light.
“Sorry about this,” I whispered.
Before he could turn fully, I hooked my arm around his neck and pulled him into a tight hold. His breath hitched in surprise, hands scrambling at my forearm.
The full-body contact hit me like a shock, panic clawingat the edges of my throat, cold and sharp. But I forced it down, even as my skin crawled instantly.
