LOGIN‘What?’
‘Watch your back. I’m worried about your safety.’
‘Why?’
‘I know why you’re trying to find Frank, and I know about the attempts on your life. After I pulled you from the lake, you asked if I saw who pushed you. I didn’t… but you must have some idea who it was.’
‘I do,’ I said.
‘Are you thinking it was that woman we saw at the party? Genevieve, was it?’
‘Yes. What of it?’
‘What if it wasn’t her?’
‘Why would you say that? Do you have proof?’
‘No, but think about it. I moved pretty fast, but by the time I reached the lake, there was no one else on the shore—just you in the water. If it was Genevieve, how could she have moved so fast?’
I frowned. ‘Maybe you just didn’t see her.’
‘Maybe. But what if it was Frank?’
I handed the phone to Rhys.He took it, gave the address, and then added, ‘Be careful. They’re looking for us everywhere. This call is a risk. I just hope you find us first.’Then he passed the phone back to me.‘Ashton…’ I had so much I wanted to say, but the words stuck in my throat.‘Mira, don’t be afraid. I’m on my way to you right now.’‘I’m safe. Don’t worry.’I hung up, reluctant to break the connection. Rhys led me back to the room before heading out once more.When he returned, he poured me a glass of water. ‘You should sit down. It’ll take Ashton at least three hours to get here.’I took the glass and drank.A deep exhaustion had settled into my bones. I couldn’t understand it. I hadn’t done anything strenuous, yet I felt drained every single day.Maybe it was the stress.Rhys stood b
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. It was fully morning, and clearly a bright one.Another fit of coughing from Rhys made my stomach drop. Was he running a fever? Had the wound gotten infected?Shit.I hurried over to where he was lying and pressed my hand to his forehead. ‘God, you’re burning up.’‘Danger… It’s dangerous… Mirabelle…’ he muttered, his voice thick with sleep and fever. ‘No, don’t… Mirabelle… look out!’‘Rhys? Rhys, wake up.’ He was twitching, trapped in some nightmare. I called his name again, but he didn’t stir.I shook him gently. ‘Rhys! Wake up!’‘Hmm?’ His eyes flew open, and he stared up at me, disorientated. He winced and shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. ‘It’s fine. I just need some water.’As he tried to sit up, I gently pre
‘They’re creating a diversion to keep the kidnappers busy. That’s how I managed to get you out.’Another wave of nausea hit me, dry and wrenching.Rhys hurried to pour a glass of water and handed it to me. ‘Here, sip this. I’ll figure something out for food.’‘Really, don’t bother. If people are looking for us, it’s not worth the risk. I’ll be fine. Staying alive is more important than eating.’I took a small sip. The water warmed my stomach slightly, so I drank a bit more. But after a few mouthfuls, my body rebelled. Everything came back up, violently.I hadn’t eaten anything in hours, so there was nothing left to bring up except bitter bile. It was agonising.Rhys passed me tissues and rubbed my back gently as I retched. When it was over, I collapsed back onto the bed, drained and shaky.‘Do you want to try more water?’I shook my head.
‘Don’t get clever,’ he snapped, the chill back in his tone.‘Are you a friend of hers? An admirer?’‘You ask too many questions. People who know too much get silenced.’I stared harder. ‘So I was right. She didn’t hire you, did she? This is your own doing. What are you to her? And why take the risk—aren’t you afraid of what Ashton will do to you?’‘Afraid?’ He let out a harsh laugh. ‘Why the fuck would I be afraid of him? If he knew who I was, he’d be the one shaking.’‘I’d think twice about making an enemy of Ashton. It won’t end well for you.’‘Tch. You should be more worried about your own situation. Are you really not scared at all?’ He sounded almost offended by how calm I seemed.I didn’t answer. My stomach was aching with hunger, but I wouldn’t ask him for food. I refused to beg t
I shot him an annoyed look. ‘Anyway, I’m just tired. There’s nothing wrong with me. Just let me get a few proper nights of sleep. Then I’ll be back to my old self.’‘Alright,’ Ashton said, pulling me close with a sigh.I could feel the heat of his body against my back, and the obvious evidence of his arousal. But I was already fading, my eyelids growing impossibly heavy. Within moments, I was asleep.The next morning, I woke up feeling just as drained.‘What time is it?’‘Almost eight,’ Ashton replied. ‘But if you’re still tired, just sleep a bit longer. Take the day off. What’s going on with you lately? Is it really just exhaustion?’‘It’s all your fault,’ I grumbled, giving him a half-hearted glare.‘Yes, yes. It’s all my fault. I’m the one to blame,’ he conceded readily.I had no intention of ca
‘But… it doesn’t really matter whether you can have children or not. Ashton doesn’t need you to give him a baby. He’s got me for that,’ she added, her voice oozing with satisfaction.I realised it was completely impossible to have a rational conversation with her. She was utterly obsessed.‘You’re insane.’‘Ha! Think whatever you like.’‘Alright, I think you’ve officially lost it. I almost feel sorry for you. Look, I’m busy. Don’t call me again with this nonsense.’ I hung up without letting her respond.Even though I knew it was all lies Genevieve had concocted, I couldn’t help but wonder why she would suddenly say such things.Logically, I knew Ashton wouldn’t do anything with her, but that didn’t stop the sick, uncomfortable feeling spreading through my chest.So I called him, fuming.‘Mira?’ Ashton s







