Page 43 of Unmasked Prophecy
I stare down at him for a long moment, taking in his perfect face. He’s sleeping on his back, his arms tucked up behind his head, looking so peaceful it tugs at my heart. His biceps bulge due to the position, and I fight the urge to reach out and trace my fingers over the colorful tattoos there. My eyes burn with unshed tears as I exhale softly, turning away.
I slip back out of the room as quickly as I got in, closing the door softly behind me. I clench my eyes shut as I press my back against the wall, hating what I just did to him. I betrayed him in the worst way. I wouldn’t blame him if he never forgave me. Why would he? I don’t deserve it.
I just hope he understands I was doing it for Lily.
It is all for her.
Everything I do is for her.
So why does it feel so damn horrible.
MY FOOTSTEPS ARE QUICKas I make my way out of the compound.
There is no way I'm walking out of here without a plan. Everything is set up, and all I have to do is make sure nobody catches me. I move down the side of one of the old sheds, where I noticed some timber stacked high earlier in the day. My plan is to knock it over, then slip back behind the shed. When the guys guarding the gate come over, I will slip out.
I can only hope it works.
Reaching the logs, I take in a deep breath and peer around the side of the shed, making sure I can see the two men at thegate. They are standing, smoking cigarettes and talking low to each other. Inhaling deep, I lift my foot and push the timber. It comes crashing down harder than I anticipated, stumbling to the ground and making a sound so loud it is guaranteed to wake everyone up.
“Fuck,” I gasp, moving back behind the shed quickly as the sound of footsteps near.
I have seconds before the other club members are out of their beds. Talon included.
I shuffle along the wall, holding my breath as I make a run for it. The second the two men are out of sight, I sprint towards the gate. It isn’t padlocked, but I do have to unlatch it and it opens with a loud creak. God dammit. I didn’t think this through. Shouting voices can be heard behind me and my heart lurches into my throat as I rush into the darkness, the cold steel of Talon’s gun pressing against my hip as I move.
I’m out, but it won’t be long before they figure it out.
I have to move, and I have to move quickly.
I run down the road, my legs moving as quickly as possible, carrying my small frame as I create distance between the club and myself. Only when the shouting subsides, do I slow down, dropping my hands to my knees and taking a deep, painful breath. My lungs burn and sweat trickles down my forehead. That was far too close.
Lifting my head, I glance up just as a car begins slowing down next to me.
Just as I predicted.
They were waiting for me. Like I knew they would be.
Here goes nothing.
IT ONLY TAKES ME Amoment to realize that it is Cyrus in the car, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. He is the only person I can manipulate enough to give me what I want. This is a huge risk, I know it, but it is the only option I have. As the window winds down and I see Cyrus, I know I have to find a strength I have never felt before.
I have to bring out the kind of inner warrior I have never shown them.
Now is my time to shine.
A slow smirk spreads across Cyrus’s face, and I know he thinks he’s won. How wrong he is. “I see you got our message. You made the right choice, Nia. Get in.”
I grin, reaching around behind me and pulling out the gun, aiming it right at his face. “I’m not going anywhere with you, not yet. We’re going to make a deal.”
His eyes widen, a hint of shock washing over his face. It’s incredibly satisfying, knowing that he didn’t think I had it in me. “It takes a lot of courage to think you have enough power to make demands.”
His voice is calm, but I can see he’s nervous.
Good.
He should be.
“It’s simple. You take me back, and I speak to my father, or I shoot you right now and they can deal with the fallout of that. Either option is fine with me.”
