I run out the back door, leaving it open in my wake, taking the same path I did on the way in, but this time, I open the gate to exit. Cutting across the grass, I run a few houses down until I’m far enough away. As fast as the blink of an eye, I have the box out, the detonator in my hand, and without a second thought, push the button.
Immediately, the ground shakes from the explosion; you can feel it in your chest. Alarms blare; dogs bark as the night lights up. In no time, houses become alive around me, lights turning on, and that’s my cue to head the hell out of here. Not looking back, I do just that as I pocket the detonator.
The minute I turn the corner, my stomach returns to normal; that rush is over, and my body feels heavy. It’s as if I’m zapped of all energy. I trudge along to Thomas and my meeting place. Seeing the car, I finish the last few steps, my legs giving out as I open the door, and I climb into the passenger seat. “Let’s go,” I mutter out to him.
Thomas says nothing, only turns on the radio when Metallica's Master of Puppets blares through the speakers and into my ears. I lay my head on the window, staring out in front of me, watching the world blur by.
I lean forward, turning up the volume even louder until it feels like the windows will break, then recline back in the seat as Thomas takes the road, going over the speed limit while pounding on the steering wheel along with the song.
Pulling my cell phone from the console, I boot it up and message Rowan.
*I love you. I’m ready to be home.
Pulling up to the hotel, I remove my beanie, throw on my jacket from the backseat, all while never taking my eyes off my phone screen. It’s been fifteen minutes, and she still hasn’t read her message.
My face screws up as Thomas puts the car in park, seeing my face in the dusting of the hotel lights.
“What’s up?” He finally speaks for the first time since I got in the car.
I ignore him while sending another text.
*Hey, are you good?
“Not sure,” I tell him honestly before opening my tracker app to see where she is. It says she’s at the gym. My heartbeat goes back to normal, knowing she’s okay and safe, allowing me to exit the car and enter the hotel.
“Women, they’re going to be the death of us,” I throw at Thomas.
“Fuck, you’re telling me.” He slaps my back as we step into the elevator, and my phone rings. Looking down, I see it’s Weeks.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask a silent line. Looking down at my phone, my bars are gone. “If you can hear me, I’ll have to call you back,” I say before ending the call.
My stomach feels like it’s falling as we rise the twenty floors, which has nothing to do with the elevator ride.
Chapter Twenty-one
Rowan
I make busy work around the gym, bidding my time until Weeks is focused on something other than me. He keeps looking over my way, and each time I catch him, he reverts his eyes, and honestly all I can do is smile. I know Luca has him watching my every step. I’d find it comical if it weren’t me he was babysitting.
When I got here, I was hoping Damian would be here, but apparently, he and Soleil are gone. We’ve messaged here and there, sporadically, but I wanted to see him with my own two eyes, to make sure he’s good. I know Soleil is now staying with him, and that truly makes my heart so happy. I just hope they can both overcome whatever they need to. I know she has her own demons, but I know Damian isn’t afraid to slay them for her.
After an hour, Weeks gets further away from my eye site, but I still busy myself, taking inventory and checking emails, wanting him to think all is okay.
I see him entering the office on the small TV at the reception desk, but I still wait, making sure he’s settled in. Through the screen, I watch as he opens the laptop, and finally, that’s my cue.
I leave the computer on and my phone sitting next to it, so if he comes out, I’m hoping he’ll think maybe I’m in the restroom, because why would I leave without my cell phone? Reaching into my purse hanging on the back of the chair, I take my wallet and keys, exiting the gym without looking back.
Jumping in the car, I start it and take off, knowing my time is now ticking with the long drive ahead of me.
“Luca is going to kill you,” I speak to myself in the quiet car. Needing noise, I turn on the radio, andPerfume and Milkby Florence and The Machine plays through my speakers. Getting lost in her musical poetry. Lulled into calmness as I followed the curvy road to my soon-to-be redemption.
I’m finally forced to stop to fill the tank two hours in. My first instinct when I stop is to grab my phone and check it, but it’s back at the gym. Breathing in deeply, I get out, pulling my cardigan tightly around me as I pump the gas, filling my tank until it won’t take any more. The need to use the restroom is prevalent, but I can’t lose any more time. “Just hold it,” I whisper to myself. Thankful no one is around to see me speaking to myself.
Entering the city limits, I watch the welcome sign out the window, knowing this town doesn’t want to welcome anything I’m going to bring to it.
I park in the local grocery store parking lot, deciding to walk the rest of the way to David's. I want to look around his house, and having an unusual car parked with a girl getting out of it is a red flag, screaming that I don’t belong there.
I rifle through the trunk until I find what I’m looking for, Luca’s hat—as I push my hair into a messy bun, placing the hat over it, I take off walking, smiling when I feel my knife in the cardigan pocket, Thomas’ gift.
