Page 26 of Trapped Truth

“You still stepped up for us.”

“And I always will,” she murmurs back. “You’re welcome here. Don’t forget that.”

We untangle then step apart. I think she subtly wipes a finger under her eyes while turning to lead me from the room. With a final look around and one more exhale, I follow Willow out of the cabin, back into the gathering snowstorm.

“You’ll want to get on the road before this hits.” She frowns up at the sky.

“Do you guys get snowed in much?”

“All the time. Stay much longer and you’ll be stuck with us.”

Honestly, it sounds kinda nice. Better than the firefight we’re driving into.

“Be safe, Ember. And tell Hyland to get his backside over here on your way out of town. He owes me a goodbye, at least.”

“Yes ma’am.” I stifle a laugh.

“Keep in touch. We’re all rooting for you.”

Halting at the bottom of the porch steps to take a look at the woman who chased me from Gael’s mansion, déjà vu strikes harder than a lightning bolt. But neither of us are being forcibly dragged or ordered around now.

Instead, we’re both here. Free. Whole. Able to make our own choices, to forge a path ahead that isn’t stained by blood, pain or tears. I don’t know what that looks like for me. Not yet. But I’m excited to find out.

Perhaps I can find some happiness too.

Maybe even my own slice of peace.

CHAPTER 5

WARNER

LIES CAME OUT MY MOUTH - OLIVER TREE

The rented SUV isn’t quite as bulletproof as I’d like, but the last thing any of us wanted was to borrow a car that could be traced straight back to the safe haven we’ve left. Willow and her family earned their peace. We’re not going to jeopardise it now.

In the spacious back seat, Ember is sandwiched between Blaine and Axel, granting her access to perform nursing duties if needed. Doc loaded Axel up on pain medication before we left, but even so, he’s uncomfortable. Though I’m still coming to terms with his deceit, I don’t want to see the man suffer.

He’s one of us.

Not even a life-altering lie can change that.

Next to me, Hyland glowers at the built-in navigation screen. He drove for a couple of hours until his yawning began to piss me off, and I took over.

“As much as I don’t like it, we need to refuel for the last leg,” he grumbles. “And Axel could use a break.”

“I know, I’m looking for somewhere to pull over. At least it’s late. The darkness will cover us.”

“I still don’t like it; we’re too exposed.”

“We’ve had no trouble. No one knows where we are.”

“That’s what you think,” Blaine mutters from the backseat.

Looking in the rearview window, I meet his flat black stare. “What?”

Though he’s naturally reclusive, scheming away from the sidelines, his silence during the duration of the drive has felt unnerving. The closer we get to London, the tauter his posture seems to grow.

“If my father truly is back in the country, you can bet he already knows too much. He still has loyal foot soldiers across every square inch of the UK. Your investigation didn’t wipe them out.”