Page 26 of Where We Began

“Laiken, stop!” His voice is commanding. It grapples with some primal part of me that wants to do as he says. It's confusing, because I never listen to anyone. My cells think Dominic is different. I scream at my body that it's wrong, to listen tome,and keep running.

He tries to snatch my arm as I cut over the driveway towards the gates. Amazingly, he misses. Spurred on by hope I dig for every ounce of energy I have. I'm the fastest person on this estate.

Or I was until Dominic came back.

Thick fingers catch my long braid just as I reach the curved gates at the end of the driveway. “Ah!” I cry, ignoring the pain, gripping the metal poles as I work to shake him off. Dominic holds my hair tight. My promise to my sister to never cut my hair becomes a liability.

Kara.

Red blooms in my vision. “Let me go!” I scream, thrashing in spite of the pain. He releases me, but the joy is brief—both palms clamp down on my shoulders. He spins me in a single motion; it's easy for him.

“Hold still,” he growls.

“No!” My forearms twinge from how fiercely I pull away. He doesn't relent. When he shoves my spine against the fence, the cool metal helps clear my head. He looms over me like a bad dream. Everything in his expression is blurred by shadow. “Dominic, let go of me,” I beg. “It's my only chance to escape. Please.”

In the distance I hear shouts. More guards are coming.

“Please,” I say again.

He's quiet, barely breathing. Our bodies are pushed together. The fence is hard, but somehow, he's harder.Is he thinking it over?My joy grows anew; it's fragile but it's there. Dominic knows me. Once upon a time, he even saved me.

I know he'll help me. He has to.

I'm vibrating with adrenaline. On edge, I easily hear how he pulls in a ragged breath. It forces me to realize how his chest is touching mine. I've never had a man so close to me, especially not someone like him.

His eyes narrow. His grip goes slack, teasing me with a hint of freedom. He snatches my wrists and chokes the circulation away. “Why would you think I'd help you escape?”

The despair I experienced before returns. I scowl, standing on tiptoe and bringing our faces closer. “Because you're myfriend!”

His attention darts to my lips. I don't know if he thinks I'm going to spit on him or kiss him, and I don't know which I'd rather do. “Whatever you think you know about me? You're wrong.” The guards reach us, flashlights making spotlights on the grass. They blind me, but not before I stare into his eyes one more time. They're pure ice.

Whatever happened to the sweet boy from my past is a mystery. But Dominic is right.

I don't know him.

I wonder if I ever did.

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