Page 101 of Midnight Wedding

“Absolutely. Hold on to that one, darling. Decent men aren’t easy to find.”

I walk her through the nursery and show her all the stuff we have. By the time we’re finished talking, I’ve calmed down.

The fear isn’t gone, but it’s dulled.

“Love you, Mom,” I say as we hang up. I stand alone in the silence for a minute, breathing to myself, and I’m about to leave when I hear it.

A noise in the walls.

It’s coming from the back corner.

I stare, heart racing all over again, and I don’t move.

There. Another noise.

Someone’s in there.

“I’m coming for you, asshole,” I snarl, throwing myself into the hallway. The library’s nearby and I go straight for the passage. I hear whoever’s trying to spy on me racing away, but the secret tunnels aren’t easy to navigate. There are fallen boards and sections that are barely a few inches wide.

And I’m good at shoving myself into places I don’t belong.

I go by sound. I hear whoever it is banging along up ahead, trying to get away. My heart’s racing and I feel my clothes get snagged on jagged nails and splinters, but I’m determined. Arsen might not take this seriously—but fuck that.

I’m not letting some creep watch me in my own damn house.

“I got you now, you fucker,” I snarl as I spot some movement up ahead. They turned right, but I know for a fact that section is a dead end.

I slow, breathing hard, and step into the dim section.

The person is at the far end of the hall.

They’re not moving anymore, obviously trapped.

I realize I’m trapped with them too.

And if they’re dangerous?

There’s nowhere for me to run.

“Who are you?” I call out, afraid to get closer.

It’s obviously a man. Someone big and broad. He’s jammed in the passage at an odd angle. It must be uncomfortable. This place is tough for me, and I’m pretty small.

But this guy? I don’t even know how he does it.

Slowly, though, he shifts his weight and turns to face me.

My jaw drops open.

Arsen grins in the dim passageway. He doesn’t look embarrassed at all. Only like he’s having fun.

“I knew I fucked up when I turned right back there,” he says.

Chapter 36

Lena

“Arsen, I need to understand why thehellyou were lurking in the walls.”

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