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Because if I do this, I risk Cherry and Margot. I couldn’t protect Hayes, but I will damn sure protect this little girl.

Nodding, I lead the way back out of the room and through the mansion. The only reason we’re not running into any guards is because of Ello’s forethought. He planned the route, the timing, and where to end. I’d be screwed without him.

Through the side door, where the camera feed has been disconnected, Ello gets them into the unmarked sedan. The night air cools my inflamed flesh, and the stars twinkle overhead. They feel like a new beginning, and I smile despite the situation.

Cherry slides in first and takes Margot into her lap.

Quickly, I shove the stack of money into her hands. Her mouth parts, eyes wide.

“Information,” I sign.

She takes it hesitantly and nods. “Marco is coming into town soon. Freddie thinks he’ll finally sign off on the marriage.”

Which means my wedding is going to happen. Sooner rather than later.

“Anything else?”

She shakes her head and holds her daughter tighter.

Her eyes glisten as she says, “Thank you. For getting us out.”

I sign, “You’re welcome.”

Before I turn to leave, she snatches my wrist. Stopping, I raise a brow as she pleads with me. “Don’t let him get you, Val,” she mouths slowly. “He’s not a good man. He will hurt you.”

“I know that,” I say with trembling lips. “I don’t know how to stop it.”

Cherry sniffles, brushing a stray tear away. Margot stirs, and I know we have little time. If she starts screaming, we’ll be found.

She scans me once and shrugs. “He wants your virtue. If you get rid of that, he won’t marry you.”

My virtue?

A car humming in the distance alerts us all. My body jumps, knees buckling. Quietly, Ello closes her door and pushes me back to the house.

I struggle against him. “Where will you take them?”

He sighs and signs, “It’s better if you don’t know.”

Ello lets me go and rounds the car. As he pulls away, Cherry turns to look out the back window. She raises her hands and signs, “Thank you.” The darkness swallows them whole as my guard drives them to safety, and I cross my arms.

Panic and elation war inside my heart. I saved them—they got out. But once Roman discovers they’re gone, he’ll be out for blood. I might be a prize, but there isn’t much protection for stealing his commodity from him.

Then, there’s the threat of Marco coming. He’ll want a wedding to happen.

Entering my room, I bite my thumb and pace. There has to be a way. A way to stop the wedding, to break the pact. I don’t have time to wait and see—I have to act.

But how?

Turning on my phone, I mindlessly search web pages until another text from my wannabe stalker comes in.

Exasperated, I flop onto my bed and glare at the screen. Then, freeze.

Unknown: I saw what you did.

You saw nothing.

There’s a pause, and I can’t tell if it’s a tease, a threat, or a promise. Maybe all three.