The front door slammed open,and I froze halfway down the hallway.My heart pounded inside my chest, the hairs on my arms sticking up.The sound echoed through the mansion—loud, commanding, and impossible to ignore.
“Astrid!”Arch shouted.
One set of footsteps followed, then another, then two more.
Shit!
How had they broken in so quickly?!Or maybe Cairo had let them in.Maybe he wanted me to run so they could chase me.Maybe he wanted us all to play this little game because his ass was kinkier than all of them combined.
I glanced to my left and out the window.How big was his property?
Once their footsteps became louder, I bolted down the hallway.The hardwood floor was cold underneath my bare feet, turning into sleek marble when I entered another section of the mansion.
Hide … I need to hide.
While I had no idea where I was going, I had to find a good place.And quick.Cairo must know this place like the back of his hand, and the guys had to have been here more than just a few times.
If I wasn’t careful, they’d find me soon.
“Astrid!”Frasier murmured.“We can hear you running.”
My heart leaped into my throat, and a thrill rushed through me.I veered down a curved staircase, nearly tripping on the last step and catching myself on the banister.The lights were dim here, the walls lined with shelves, stacked with books upon books.
God, this library was every book girl’s dream!
I found a side room filled with dark wooden cabinets and slipped into one.Yes, into one of the cabinets, holding my breath to fit all the way in.I pressed myself against the back of it, hoping that I didn’t leave any trace behind me.
When I pressed my ear to the door, I heard footsteps.
“She went down here,” Calix said.
“Arch, check the kitchen,” Cairo said.
“I swear to God, if Frasier finds her first,” Arch growled.
“It’s not like she can hide forever,” Rush said.
Warmth spread throughout my body, and I pressed my thighs together.This wasn’t just a game of hide-and-seek.No, this was a game where it was them against me.And they all wanted to find me first.
I waited.Thirty seconds.Then a full two minutes.
Nothing.Complete silence.
And then … someone stepped into the library.
I slapped a hand over my mouth, eyes going wide as I curled tighter into the cabinet space.The guy walked in, his footsteps rough.I’d recognize him anywhere—Arch, my bastard stepbrother.
What happened to him searching in the kitchen?!
“Astrid,” Arch taunted.“Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
I held my breath for what felt like five minutes, my shoulders tense.
Another moment passed, and I listened to his footsteps leave the room.I released a heavy breath and dropped my head lightly.Whew, that was close.Another moment, and he would’ve found me.
If I wasn’t careful?—
More footsteps.
