Page 48 of Traces of Her

Thirty

ROWENA

JARED GREETS US AT THE FRONT DOOR, pulling us inside in a rush. Griffin holds my hand tightly as they talk amongst themselves, leaving me to simply listen. But I can’t listen when the silence is too loud. Silence is good, though, as it means Lydia is downstairs alone.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I whisper to Griffin, pulling away from him.

He nods as Jared glares and I hurry out of the room and make my way to the kitchen. Quickly, grabbing some things, I run into the basement and quietly open and shut the door. I need to get in and get out, no one knows I came down here and God knows what will happen if anyone finds out.

She doesn’t wake up as I place the food down near her, but she stirs a bit, moaning softly. Looking around, I realize I forgot a piece of bread in the kitchen. I race back upstairs and into the kitchen as silently as possible. Griffin thinks I went to the bathroom and I’m surprised he even bought that.

Grabbing the bread, I run back down into the basement. Lydia’s awake, sitting up and devouring the food like she hasn’t eaten in days. Her wide eyes flash to mine and she visibly relaxes when she sees that it’s only me. Walking across the room slowly, I stop beside her, crouching down and hold out the piece of bread. She stares at me with no trust, eyeing me like a feral animal.

Good, her instincts are taking over.

I nod, moving my hand closer and she quickly grabs it. Rising to my feet, I walk back to the door, leaving her in peace with her food and to save myself from getting caught.

Grabbing the doorknob, I step through the doorway and pause for a moment, turning to her. Slowly, I bring my forefinger to my lips and my eyes bore holes into hers.

“I was never here,” I inform her, my voice barely audible.

Without another word, I close the door and sneak back into the main part of the house.

“Fucking took you long enough,” Jared scoffs as I walk up beside Griffin, taking his hand in mine. Jared’s eyes drop down to our hands. “You guys are just too fucking cute, you know that?” He pauses. “Now that I think about it, none of this would have happened without me. You’re welcome for playing matchmaker.”

“Fuck you, Jared,” Griffin growls. “She never should have been here in the first place.”

Squeezing tightly, I try to pull Griffin back to me. Jared has quickly become the enemy and the last thing we need is to piss him off even more.

“Griffin, just fucking stop,” Jared mutters, rolling his eyes. “We need a plan, so come on,” he says, walking into the hallway. I go to follow but am pulled backward by Griffin’s hand.

“What are you doing?” he says in a hushed voice.

Looking over my shoulder, I glance at the doorway. “Keeping us alive,” I whisper.

He grabs my other hand, pulling me toward him. “I don’t want you involved in any of this, Ro,” he insists.

“It’s too late,” I say, giving him a small smile. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I gently kiss his lips before landing back on my feet. “Come on,” I say, pulling him with me. “Time to go play nice and come up with our own plan.”

“I love you, Rowena,” he confesses, wrapping his arms around my waist.

Wrapping my arms around his, I lean my head back against his chest. “I love you too.”

We walk together back into the computer room and find Jared with papers and pens scattered all over the desk with a brand new whiteboard sitting on a chair.

“Grab some paper and a pen,” Jared barks. “You two are gonna help me figure out how to get what I want with that bitch’s heart still beating.” He looks over at me. “Go wake up Scarlet and bring her back in here. I need her to go get me some more blow.”

Griffin looks over at me, pleading me not to with my eyes.

He’s not that stupid; he knows I can’t say no.

I glance at the black computer screens, at the mess in the room and at the two of them staring at me.

This is perfect timing; this gives me just enough time.

“Of course,” I smile at Jared, walking toward the door. Griffin lets out a deep breath and I wink at him as I exit the room and head in the opposite direction of the room Scarlet is in.

Her eyes open as I walk into the room and follow me as I quietly make my way to her. Stopping in front of her, I stare down keeping my expression neutral. “You need to get up,” I say in a calm, hushed voice.

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