Chapter Six - Won't Let You Leave

Sydney 

All the fight left my body, realizing the seriousness of the situation. He had every reason to be annoyed with me. I was an added headache to him. Then why wasn’t he allowing me to leave? 

“Why do you care? Why are you sheltering me?” I murmured in a dazed state. My secret was out, and I had no other option left than to depend on him. 

He scoffed and walked out without answering me. “I’ll get your dinner. Don’t even think of escaping. My eyes are on you.” 

The door closed on my face, and I gaped at it in confusion. His behavior was so bipolar, I couldn’t figure him out at all. Who wanted to embrace trouble? A clash with my dad was nothing but trouble. Then why didn’t he let me leave? 

I sat at the dining table and peered out through the window blinds. All the guests were back from the cruise, and they were having a barbecue party near the beach. Did Killian join them? I longed to go, too. 

With my eyes glued on them, I searched for Killian. Yes, I could see him laughing and dancing with them. A wave of jealousy hit me, and I longed to join them. Why was I so unlucky? 

I watched Killian enjoy himself, and tears crept into my eyes. He had completely forgotten about me. Why would he remember? I was just a burden to him. Maybe I should stop expecting too much from him and be grateful to have a roof over my head. Once the cops closed the case, I would escape far away to a different country or continent. 

There was no point in waiting for Killian, and I lay down to sleep. It was the only way to forget my hunger. 

A touch on my cheek made me open my tired eyes and focus on Killian’s face. When did he come back? I sat up in confusion. 

“I’ve brought your dinner.” His gruff voice brought me back to my senses. Was he the same guy who was happily dancing on the beach a while ago? 

“I’m not hungry anymore. I filled my stomach with water.” Turning away from his probing gaze, I felt the tears pool in my eyes again. 

“How long will you survive on water? Stop the drama and eat.” He growled and walked out, banging the door shut in my face. 

The tears fell and streamed down my cheeks. His behavior hurt me more than it should have. What had I ever done to him to deserve this? I noticed the way he avoided calling me princess – the nickname I loved. 

The hunger pangs multiplied, and I gave up. Who was I staying hungry for? Killian hardly cared. He might have gone back to the party. I rose and went to the dining table. My mouth watered at the sight of delicious pieces of barbecued chicken and vegetables, served with pineapple salsa. 

Enjoying my food, I forgot my grudges and looked out of the window. I could see Killian enjoying himself with the group. Again, the familiar feeling of jealousy shot through me when he slow danced with a random woman. 

With every move, I could feel him glance in my direction. Was it my imagination, or was he really showing off? But why would he? He was very experienced, and with his killer looks, I was sure he led a colorful life. Yet I couldn’t watch him flirt with another woman. Closing the blinds, I sat nibbling at the food. Why couldn’t I be happy? Why couldn’t I live my life for once? 

That was why I had fled home, right? But I hadn’t expected my life to take such a hopeless turn. What would I have done if I hadn’t met Killian? Maybe I would have been abused by the lousy men I met ever since I left home. 

‘Don’t even think of escaping here, Sydney. This is the safest place for you to hide right now,’ prodded my inner mind. 

Yes. I should ignore Killian and his insults until my dad gave up on me. Once he called off the search, I would disguise myself and leave the country forever. I would go somewhere far from here, to an unknown place where I could be free. That was what I longed for – freedom! 

But maybe that was a distant dream. What if my father captured me and punished me for defying him? What if I died locked up in his basement like my mom did? A shudder went up my spine. I lost my appetite and stored the leftovers in the refrigerator. 

I hated staying locked up in a place. All my life, I had been forced to do that. Now, when I finally had a taste of freedom, I ended up in the same state – locked up in a vehicle. 

I could hear laughter and music outside, and tears crept into my eyes. I trudged towards the bed and lay curled up, hugging myself to sleep. The closed environment made me claustrophobic. I couldn’t stay inside a second longer. I needed fresh air to breathe. 

Rushing to the door, I yanked it open and sat on the steps, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. Closing my eyes, I filled my lungs to the fullest, trying to calm myself. It would go away soon. There was no reason to panic. My dad would never find me.

“What the fu*k are you doing here? Didn’t I ask you to stay in?” growled Killian, walking up to me. 

I opened my eyes and looked at his furious face. Why was he so angry with me? 

“I needed some fresh air.” I rose to go back inside. It wouldn’t be wise to infuriate him when he was my only hope now. 

He regarded me with a frown. “Do you want your dad to find you?” He narrowed his eyes as he followed me back into the vehicle. 

My face paled at the thought. “No. Never. How can you even ask?” 

He scowled at me more, and I stepped away from him. Would he hit me? “Then why were you sitting outside and inviting the cops here? Don’t you realize your photographs are all over the city? Joe is in the police lockup for interrogation. And it’s all because of you.” 

My mouth hung at the update. How did I not think of this before? “Oh! Will he give us away?” I watched him seethe at my question. 

“No. But why did you have to involve him? Why couldn’t you just disappear with your fu*king car? You have disrupted our lives with your stupidity.” 

I hung my head in shame. I knew he was repentant for having met me. Maybe I should end it all and go back home. Maybe I should marry Rafael or kill myself. “I’m sorry.” I walked back to my bed, an idea forming in my mind. 

“Stop the self-pity. It doesn’t suit you after the harassment you’ve put us through.” He muttered curses at me as he walked into the kitchen.

I had nothing to say in my defense. Obviously, he was right. I lay down and waited for him to sleep. There was only one way to undo the harm I had caused. I had to leave. It didn’t matter what happened to me. At least, no one else would be affected. 

After two hours, Killian lay down on the bed beside me. It took an effort to remain unaffected by his warm presence so close to me. His addictive scent tingled my nose, and I couldn’t control the flutter in my stomach. I had never slept with a man before, and now the most gorgeous hunk was sharing the room with me. Could I sneak in a last look at him before leaving forever? 

After ten minutes, I heard his even breathing. It seemed he was fast asleep. Turning slowly towards him, I gazed at his sharp features. How could someone look so hot even while sleeping? His thick eyelashes were too long for a guy, as they cast shadows on his cheeks. His tousled locks fell over his forehead, giving him a boyish appeal. He looked so approachable when he slept. 

I sighed and rose to leave. This was no time to ponder. I had to leave while he was fast asleep. I didn’t care what happened to me anymore. 

I glanced at the foot of the bed for my luggage, but found it missing. Where had he kept it? Wasn’t it there when I lay down? Did Killian hide it? I walked over to his bedside to check the built-in closet. But it was locked. I panicked as I looked around for the keys. I was sure he had hidden my luggage inside the closet. 

My glance fell on his pillow, and I saw the keys peeking from underneath it. My heart thumped with fear as I inched towards him. Could I sneak up to him and grab hold of the keys? 

Thankfully, he was still fast asleep, and I reached over to grab the keys. 

In a split second, he opened his eyes and grabbed my arm to pull me on top of him. 

“Ow! Killian!” I gasped with horror, but he rolled over and pinned me to the bed with his hard body. My body trembled at the touch, and I could feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach with need. How could I react to him this way when all he did was hate me? 

“What were you up to, Ms. Sydney Bardot? Don’t even think of escaping me. I won’t let you.”