We made this baby, we need to work out the rest. Whatever that may end up looking like.
And hearts are treacherous.
So, I text him back.
Me
Find her.
Enzo
I will. I promise. Cade and Silas are trying to locate her, too. And I've already called some of the guards. Don't worry, you're protected. And I showed you how to use the safe room.
He has. But I don't want to just sit up and wait around doing nothing.
I keep pacing.
And because I can't stand it, I try and call her again.
But it just goes to voicemail, and I'm beginning to think the phone has been dumped.
Shit.
My phone rings, and when I answer, there is the clink of plates and voices, the hiss of an espresso machine in the background.
And I know who it is from the slight sniffle.
"Lyndall?"
She's gone and got herself another phone. A burner.
"Please tell me Dad or Enzo aren't there."
I take a breath. "Enzo's out looking for you."
"Please...please come and meet me. I'm at Happy Jim's Bean and Bar. It's two blocks from the house."
"How? You know Enzo has got people here. We can get you?—"
"No. I don't want to see him. Or Dad...Mario. I hate them both. If they come near me, I'm gone, and no one will see me again. I'll live on the streets. Become a stripper."
I roll my eyes. "No, you won't. But I can't leave."
"You can. The back courtyard has a hidden gate. I used to play back there when I was young. It's not meant to open. Enzo fixed it, but I unfixed it last year. I wanted to go see a concert."
I can almost see her blush.
"But—"
"Take some sheets that are in the washing machine. I forgot to put them in the dryer. I just got them, anyway. So hang them up outside. That will help hide you, and then just go out through the gate. They won't notice until it's too late."
"You shouldn't be out there, and neither should I. Enzomight be a lot of things, but I don't think he's lying about the danger."
"I won't speak to anyone but you. Please."
Her voice cracking does it. I can feel myself crumble.
"Lyndall..."
