The Escape Baldacci Novels & Stories

“Or do you consider that garbage too?” “Yes,” came his flat reply from the bathroom. My grip on the phone tightened as my patience frayed. What an ass. Turning my attention back to the screen, I tried to block him out. “Vincenzo Espósito... released due to lack of evidence... linked to the Caravello family…” The words blurred together, background noise to my simmering irritation. I should have paid more attention—anything tied to the Caravello name could easily entangle us—but Ryuu’s presence grated on me, stealing what little focus I had left. His unpredictable moods and constant hostility were exhausting.

The last thing I saw was the pain and disbelief in Shawn’s face as he was dragged away—still calling out a name I no longer answered to. It was late by the time the party ended. Lucius stayed to see off a few old Alpha friends. I waited alone inside the venue, sitting on the cool marble floor, hugging my knees to my chest. My new gown pooled around me like a second skin. Then I felt it again—presence. I looked up. There he was. Shawn. He stood a few feet away, hands raised slowly, carefully, as if trying not to startle a wild creature. “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly.

"Still none, my lady. It seems like, she's not from here. Since, I didn't found any record of her. But, I've already talk some people outside of Alkinia. I will inform you as soon as possible." "Alright, then." I heard her footsteps walking out. I breathed deeply and lay my back in the bed. —🌸 Names, characters, events, and places are part of the author's imaginary only. Any similarities in other story or actual event are highly coincidental. Grammatical errors and misspellings can be seen. So, advance sorry for that. Hope you will support me!

They were more mobile than she’d anticipated and made their way toward the table’s edge, each in a different direction while their crying grew more pronounced. Tara quickly dumped the basket upside down to remove the old rags. The jerking action loosened more dirt and dust and it settled on her table. She decided this was a poor choice of location to do this, but it was too late to stop now. She barely caught each escapee before it reached the edge of the table. The scent of their mother left the basket along with the old rags and they cried out for her with loud wails.

“We've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” "Bad news first," I say. "Always bad news first." Landon's grin fades. "Alpha Garrick escaped custody about three hours ago." I try to sit up, pain shooting through my chest like lightning. "What?!"

Even though I managed to shift the attention onto him, escaping his grip was not going to be easy. His hand tightened around my throat. My face turned red from lack of air. I tried to call for help, only to find a ring of cold, indifferent eyes staring back at me. “Ding-dong! It’s breakfast time. All patients, please proceed to the cafeteria immediately.” Thank goodness, I was saved! “Miss, don’t go to the cafeteria. Come with me.” On the way there, an old lady suddenly appeared and told me to follow her. “Where?”

And then — an article from a gossip site, dated three years ago. "Stepdaughter of Billionaire Leonardo Ferri Flees Country After Scandal." The children stared at the headline. "She ran away," Chloe said slowly. "Mommy ran away from him. That's why we lived in Starlight Country. That's why she never talked about Nightvale." "Because she was hiding from him," Liam finished. "She's been hiding from him for years." The weight of that realization settled over them like a blanket. Their mother had fled the country to escape this man. She had hidden them across an ocean, kept them secret, lived in fear — all because of the cold-eyed man in the photographs.

“Miss, that rabbit is adorable. Lots of people have tried to take him home, but he bites everyone. “But he keeps trying to get your attention. “Maybe it’s fate. I can give you a discount.” “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t like rabbits.” Then I pointed to the cat beside him. “Is that kitten up for adoption?” In the end, I left the shop with the kitten in my arms. The moment I stepped outside, I thought I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Ayla…” This time, I did not stop. And I did not look back. The End.

She knew she couldn’t stay here a second longer, especially with the loan sharks already tracking her down. By the time Lani and Maya finally left the apartment, dusk had fallen. A narrow alley behind the building led them to another street, where they flagged down a taxi to head back to Maya’s apartment. Sitting in the car, Lani couldn’t bring herself to look back. She feared catching the gaze of someone following her or hearing the ominous footsteps of those who had shattered her life. Lani’s voice quivered as she spoke, “Maya, thank you for helping me. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you.”

“He won’t like it if he found out you’re trying to escape. So, please, stay put and wait for him to come back.” “I’m tired of hearing those excuses! I don’t even know why I just woke up locked in a room, and everybody’s telling me not to leave, and that Alpha told me I’m his property and this is his territory and---” “Because that’s the truth, Miss.” She wanted to grab a handful of her hair! She was losing her mind. “Please, just let me go. You can’t get anything from me. I’m just a homeless lady, seeking freedom. I don’t want to be a slave of your pack. I don’t have any skills anyway. I’m useless.”