Page 133 of The Photograph

At her house, I leap over the steps and bang on the door. No one’s there. Maybe in her studio… Not there either.

My cell in hand, I run back to my car and call Mike.

“Hey—”

“Is Cara with you?”

“And hello to you, too,” my brother mumbles before his voice is muffled. “Sweetheart…” I don’t hear the rest. Cara’s slightly winded voice fills the car. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m looking for Aelin—”

Her tone hardens. “I thought she was with you. Let me call her.”

She’ll pick up for her sister. My hands clenched around the steering wheel, I wait for Cara to tear me a new asshole.She’s going to ask what happened and Aelin will probably tell—

“Gabe?”

“Yeah.”

Cara’s voice softens.I think.“She has a key to Holloway.”

I exhale sharply. “Thank you, Cara.”

Aelin’s sister makes a sound in her throat. “Don’t make me kill you,” she says, and Mike’s laughter erupts in the background before the line goes dead.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Aelin

On the balcony of the main bedroom of Holloway, I swipe the tears off my cheek and freeze.Shoot.Was that a car?Being caught trespassing is the last thing I need. I hurry back inside and as I reach for the doorknob, it moves.

Holy...!I jump back and slap my hand on my mouth. The door opens, and I rush to the ensuite.

“Aelin?”

My heart in my throat, I stop so suddenly, I stumble, catch myself just in time as Gabe walks in.

Fear, anger, and pain explode in my voice as I march to Gabe. “What are you doing here?”

Whatever my plan was, it deflates as soon as my brain starts working again, and I stop before the man who broke my heart. To my horror, tears push behind my eyes.

“I’m sorry. It’s your house and I’m trespassing.”

I run to the doors that seems suddenly very far and pull on the doorhandle. Gabe’s hand shoots over my shoulder and slams on the thick wood trapping me. Frozen in place, I shiver at the nearness of his body behind me. I let my hand fall while the warmth of his body cradles me as he inches closer.

“Aelin, baby.”

How dare he say my name like that? All tender and…If I look at him, I’ll start crying again, so I keep my back to him and fist my hands by my sides.

“Gabe, move your hand.”

“Why did you come tonight?”

As if I’m going to tell you now.“I’d like to leave. Remove your hand.”

“Turn around, baby. Look at me. Talk to me.”

The soft rumble of his voice so close weakens me.I can’t. if I do, I’ll…I cross my arms on my chest and steel myself.

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