Page 67 of Silent Oaths
Ihuff out a small laugh. “Yeah.Soundsabout right.”
“Shegot them talking.Apparently, this event is a big deal forVanguard.”
Ifrown. “Okay, but how did you know they’d bring me here?”
Ronnie’ssmirk deepens. “Imight not have seen my brothers in years, butIknowthem.”Shelifts a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Theylove parading their women proudly.”
Istiffen at her words, heat creeping up my neck.
I’mnottheir woman.
Idon’t belong to them.
Butright now, in this dress, onMaxwell’sarm, with a bouncer guarding the door like a fucking leash, doesn’t it look that way?
Ronniewatches me carefully, amusement in her sharp brown eyes. “Toucheda nerve, huh?”Shecrosses her arms, looking far too amused for my liking. “Isaw you glancing around for a window.Areyou trying to escape?”
Ihesitate, but there’s no point in lying.Inod.
Ronniehums in thought before she leans in slightly. “I’vestudied every exit in this building,” she says, voice low. “Thatwindow isn’t your best option.Thebetter one is straight down the corridor, past all the doors, until you reach the very end.Thereare double doors leading to the back ofMadhouse, then another door that leads straight outside.”
Mypulse picks up. “Andthen what?”
Ronnietilts her head. “Then, you get in the car waiting for you.”
Iblink. “What?”
“Valeria’sin a car waiting for you,” she clarifies.
Ronniewatches me carefully asIprocess the information.Shemust see the hesitation in my expression, because she sighs. “Look,I’lldistract the bouncer while you run, but you need to be quick about it.”
Ichew my lip, eyes darting toward the bathroom door, as if expecting someone to barge in at any second.Iwant to believe her, but something nags at me. “HowdoIknow you’re who you say you are?”
Ronniechuckles under her breath, shaking her head. “You’lljust have to trust me,” she says. “Butif it helps, look.”
Shereaches for her soiled shirt and unbuttons it just enough to expose a tattoo on her collarbone.Morstua, vita mea.
Thewords knock the air from my lungs.
Valeriahas repeated those words to me for years.They’reinked into her ribs, the phrase she clung to while searching forCamila.
“Valsaid you might ask for proof,”Ronnielaughs.
BeforeIcan say anything, a sharp bang rattles the bathroom door.
“Thehell is taking so long?” a gruff voice calls from the other side.
Ronnie’seyes darken as she steps toward the door. “Hidebehind me whileIdistract him.Areyou ready?”
Inod, pulse thrumming in my ears.
Ronniecracks the door open, stepping out just enough to block the view inside.Ihear her talk to the bouncer, her voice casual, butIdon’t wait to hear the rest.
Irun straight down the corridor, past the doors, with my heart in my throat.
Thehallway is a blur asIsprint past couples pressed against walls.Somedoors swing open asIpass, revealing glimpses of rooms, butIdon’t stop.
Mybreath saws in and out of my chest asIpush forward, my heels echoing against the floor.Then,Ifinally see the double doors.
