“I need you to stay behind me. Do you understand?”
I nod. I follow him down the halls, toward the route that leads to the back of the property.
Then I hear it. Footsteps in the tunnels with us.
“Fuck,” Callum curses.
He pushes me into an alcove, leaning into my face.
“I’m going to go take care of that. I need you to go that way.” He points the direction we were headed. “Keep going until you are out. No matter what, do not look back. Do not trust anyone, but Haruaki. Do you understand?”
“I think so.”
His eyes harden. “I mean it, Cleo. If you run into anyone else, scream, run, get away. Even if it’s your father or one of his men. Do not trust them.”
I swallow hard. “Run straight to Kai, but what if I don’t find him?”
“Then you run and don’t look back. Do not contact us until you know you are safe.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“You be more careful.” He pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. “Now go. Run.”
He shoves me into the direction of the exit while he turns, heading back the way we came.
I don’t hesitate. I take off running, my bare feet echoing off the cold, cement floor.
I hear a gunshot behind me somewhere, but I don't look back. I keep running until I find the door leading outside.
Slowly, I raise the door, looking around. There is silence in the woods. It’s almost eerie. Not even a critter is scurrying about.
Doing my best to remain quiet, I pull myself out, closing the door so it is camouflaged in the foliage.
Then I keep moving toward the back of the property.
I wince every time my feet step, the pain from the elements sinking in.
I know my feet will be battered and bruised, but I can’t stop.
My heart is hammering in my ears as I make my way farther from the house. The sounds of gunshots are no longer heard in the night air.
A twig breaks somewhere. I pause next to a tree, trying to scope out where it came from.
I let out a relieved sigh when I realize I’m still alone.
That is until a hand clamps over my mouth.
I’m about to scream when I hear his voice.
“Shh, we aren’t alone.”
Kai spins me in his arms as he presses my back against the tree I was hiding behind. He’s not looking at me though.
His eyes are scanning the area surrounding us.
Now that he is standing in front of me, I allow myself to relax. He’s okay. He’s here.
My forehead rests on his chest, his hand coming up to cup the back of my neck while he looks for threats.
