“No camera’s there?” Wilkes didn’t look convinced.
“The night Cinder escaped, I disabled all the camera’s before I left. When I returned, I switched them all back on except for the one at the side gate,” Luke replied.
Wilkes folded his arms across his chest, his gaze shifting between Luke and Xavier. “I’m surprised Kabir didn’t pick up that you helped Mikaela escape.
Luke sighed. “I understand your skepticism, Wilkes. I have no right to ask any of you to trust me—”
“I trust you,” I said softly, my gaze roaming between the three men. “I do,” I said to Wilkes. He nodded, sharing a look with Luke. “What about you?” I said to Xavier.
He studied me, glancing at the other two men, slowly shaking his head. “We can’t do this. I can’t send her to that man.” His eyes found mine before he knelt and palmed my cheek. “You’ve come so far, love. I fear what impact he might have on you if we leave you alone with him, even for just a moment.”
“Sir,” Luke began, pulling all our gazes. Then he sighed. “You’re right. We’ll try another way.”
Xavier nodded, kissed my brow, and stood. “Let’s discuss this in my study,” he said to them. “I’ll see you later.” He smiled at me.
As they walked toward the door, something in me snapped. “Wait.” I stood up. They all paused and looked my way. “I’ll do it.”
Frowning, Xavier reached me in a few quick steps. “No, Ella, we’ll—”
I placed my hands on his chest, stopping him with a shake of my head. “I have to do this. Mark said I should try making decisions for myself. You’ve held my hand for so long and I’m grateful for that but you can’t shield me forever, can you?”
“Ella,” he sighed.
“I have to find my courage, my strength. And the only way is to face the one man I fear the most. You told me you’ll hold my hand until I am ready for the next phase. Freedom. I am,” I said quietly.
His breathing heavy, he stared at me, blowing out a slow sigh as if it were taking all his energy to say the next words. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” I commended my newfound confidence, hoping it would carry me through whatever followed.
Xavier nodded. “Okay. But I’ll be right in here.” He touched a finger to where my heart lay.
Eyes wide, I shook my head and squeezed his hand holding mine. “No. You have to come with me.”
Sighing, he looked from Wilkes to Luke, then back to me. “Okay.” One simple word was all it took to settle nerves.
Chapter 53 – Mikaela
