Page 20 of Unmask
“It’s not an option.”
Poppy rolled her eyes. “Wonderful. You could have told me before we left that there was a chance we’d be committing a felony. I’d never kidnapped anyone before.”
My lips twitched. “Then you’re in for the biggest rush of your life, Pops.”
Poppy pulled up to a guardhouse and rolled down her window to give her name to the man screening the cars coming in. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Kaylor was tucked behind a gated community with security. This part of Elmwood was her comfort zone, where she would feel secure, but if I could get inside, it would only show just how vulnerable she was.
The guard let us through without pause once Poppy gave her name. She chewed on her lower lip, her nerves growing as we approached the house, and what a fucking house. I lived in a pretty elaborate home, but this…
The house was too perfect, pristine, screaming old money and power. This wasn’t some temporary safe house. This was a home, and it sure as hell wasn’t the one we had forced her to leave behind.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the raw edge that curled beneath my ribs. She was here. Breathing. That had to beenough. Even if I shattered whatever fragile thing still existed between us, it would be worth it, because this was the only way I knew how to keep her alive.
“We’re really doing this?” Poppy muttered as she stared up at the house like it might bite.
I didn’t look at her. Just kept my gaze fixed ahead. “All you need to do is go up to the door and ring the bell. I’ll take care of the rest.”
She didn’t move. Didn’t breathe either. “She’s never going to forgive me.” Her voice cracked just slightly. “I don’t know if I can forgive myself.”
I turned in the seat. “Poppy, get your shit together.” The words weren’t gentle. They weren’t meant to be.
Her jaw dropped, eyes narrowing in a flash of wounded disbelief. “You’re an ass,” she snapped, but her voice wobbled.
Scanning the house, I took mental notes of the numerous cameras. They were well hidden, and there were probably a few more I didn’t see. This place wouldn’t have been easy to get to without Poppy being on the approved guest list.
Just who the fuck lives here? And how does she know them?
This definitely wasn’t Rusty’s. Someone else from the crew?
“That’s been established,” I replied.
“Don’t be surprised when she slams the door in our faces,” Poppy said, getting out of the car and closing the door hard.
My eyes tracked her angry steps as she walked up to the house, my lips twitching. It made sense that the two of them gravitated to each other and became friends. I waited a beat, giving Kaylor a moment to come to the door before I got out of the car. I didn’t want her to catch a glimpse of me on the camera. The only way this worked was if I caught her unawares.
From ahead, I heard their voices. Poppy’s was soft and careful, but Kaylor’s voice hit me like a fist to the ribs, knockingthe breath from my lungs. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear it until now.
My sneakers scuffed over the concrete. The place was too quiet, too fucking elegant, and it made me itch. The Corvo estate was a fucking fortress, but this? This was different. It wasn’t a prison.
It was a sanctuary.
A sanctuary that didn’t include me.
As I rounded the corner to the front door, Poppy was stepping over the threshold, giving me a slightly obscure view of Kaylor. Damp strands of platinum hair waterfalled down her as if she’d just gotten out of the shower, and she was wearing sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt, one that wasn’t mine.
Whose damn hoodie is it?
I gritted my teeth, shoving the possessive thought away.
Not mine. Not anymore.
Before Kaylor could see me and slam the door in my face, I moved, coming up behind Poppy. Poppy must have sensed me, her body instantly tensing. She shifted uncomfortably as if suddenly regretting everything about this plan.
My palm flattened on the door as it started to close. Kaylor’s gaze pulled away from her friend, speckles of fear widening those light-blue eyes before they landed on me. I didn’t stop moving, knowing I had to fully commit and push my way inside. It was the only way I could get her to listen without influence or interruption.
Confusion flashed across her face.
And then?
