“Where are you going?” asks Rex sharply.
“I’m leaving,” I announce, turning toward the door.
To my surprise, none of them move to stop me. Ryker raises an eyebrow, looking almost amused.
“You can try,” he says softly. His calm confidence sends a chill down my spine.Why isn’t he worried about me leaving? Why aren’t any of them trying to stop me?
I don’t wait to find out.
I turn on my heel and storm out of the dining room, half-expecting to feel a hand grab my arm at any moment. But no one follows me. The hallway stretches empty before me, and I quicken my pace, my heart hammering against my ribs.
As I move toward the front door, a strange ache blooms in my chest. It makes no sense to feel sad. I’ve known these men for hardly an hour. There’s no reason for this hollow feeling at the thought of leaving them. And yet, each step away from them feels like I’m tearing my own heart out.
This is crazy. I need to get away from them and clear my head.
I find the massive front door and push it open, stepping out into the night air. The sky above me is a black canvas dotted with stars, with no city lights to dim their brilliance. Under different circumstances, I might havestood there in awe, drinking in the beauty of it. But right now, all I can think about is putting distance between myself and the mansion behind me.
I pull my phone from my pocket, fingers trembling as I try to text John. But as soon as I look at my screen, my heart sinks. No service. Not a single bar.
“Of course,” I mutter bitterly.
Panic rises in my throat, threatening to choke me. I need to find a way off this island. There must be boats, maybe even a small plane or helicopter. I set off down the winding path that leads away from the house, my eyes straining to adjust to the darkness.
The path curves around a bend, and suddenly the marina comes into view. Several sleek boats are moored to the docks, gently rocking in the calm water. I hurry toward them, hope flaring in my chest.
As I approach the docks, a figure emerges from a small guardhouse. A security guard, his uniform crisp even at this late hour, steps into my path.
“Can I help you, miss?” he asks politely, but his eyes are wary.
“I need to leave the island,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Which boat can take me to the mainland? Like right now.”
The guard looks genuinely apologetic. “I’m sorry, miss, but no boats leave after sunset. It’s a safety protocol. The waters around the island can be treacherous at night.”
“What about tomorrow morning, then?” I press. “First thing?”
“The first ferry departs at 8 AM,” he says. “But you’d need authorization from Mr. Blackwood to board it.”
My heart sinks. Of course, Ryker would have to approve my departure. This place is starting to feel less like a resort and more like a prison.
“What about a plane? Or a helicopter?” I ask desperately. “There must be some way off this island tonight.”
The guard shakes his head. “No night flights either, I’m afraid.”
I turn away from him, staring out at the dark water that stretches endlessly before me. The mainland is out there somewhere, invisible in the darkness. I could swim for it, but I have no idea how far it is, and the thought of entering that vast, black ocean makes me shiver.
I’m trapped. At least until morning. I need to find somewhere to hide. I need to think and plan my next move.
I move away from the marina, following a path that leads along the shoreline. Tall grass rustles on either side of me, the sound ominous in the quiet night. The moon casts enough light for me to see where I’m going, but shadows lurk everywhere, playing tricks on my eyes.
Behind me, I hear the crunch of footsteps on the path.
Someone is following me.
Fear shoots through me. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is. I can feel his presence.
“Anya,” Marcus’s deep voice carries easily through the still air. “Come back.”
I suddenly break into a sprint, veering off the path and into the tall grass. I have no idea where I’m going, but instinct drives me forward, away from the monster behind me. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it might burst from my chest.
