Page 16 of The Sinner's Bargain

This was madness. It was reckless and dangerous. So much could go wrong.

“Because even if Jarrett was a decent guy and he accepts that you changed your mind, Mother and Father can never pay him all that money, Naya. And it was a lot. They could sell everything they own and not come close, and that’s only if Jarrett will even accept the money. The wedding invitations have gone out. People — important people — are expecting the wedding to happen. Jarrett’s reputation is on the line and he’s not going to let anyone make a mockery of him, especially not a plaything he paid for and anticipated for six years. He will make you walk up that aisle and he will make sure your life is a living hell for humiliating him. He will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, Naya. He will never stop and I’m not going to sit by and let some sick fuck hurt you.”

He was right, of course. I’d considered running a thousand times over the years. I’d lain in bed for hours imagining intricate escape plans that involved everything from putting sleeping potions in everyone’s porridge to jumping out the window and climbing the perimeter wall. None were feasible or logical, but it was better than marrying the man who snuck into my room at sixteen and tried to taste me before making any offers.

“What if they find out you helped me?”

He shrugged, leaning back. “They can’t do anything to me. They can try. I don’t know anything.” He shook the bag again. “I haven’t looked in here. I have no idea what your name is or where you’re even going, except London.”

A dull roar had started somewhere at the back of my mind, the electric shriek of a dentist drill from a great distance. My terror overlapped with the horrifying knowledge that I was never going to see my brother again. My best friend. He was packing me up in the dead of night and erasing me from the world to protect me.

“Wait. I’m never going to see you again?”

For the first time since leaping into the car, Malcolm broke eye contact. “It’s too risky. Family will be the first suspect. The timing is too convenient. They will know you could never have done this alone and I’m your twin. I’m the reason you weren’t Jarrett’s child bride. They will watch me the hardest. Jarrett most of all.” His throat flexed with his swallow. His fingers tightened on the bag. “Until he’s distracted by another child, it would be best if you stay hidden.”

That could be years.

Years and years.

Decades.

A lifetime.

The ball of serrated tears lodged in my throat blur his handsome features and spill down my cheeks, ruining hours of Porsha’s hard work.

“What if he never stops?”

A muscle bunched in his jaw. “Then you will always be safe. I’ll make sure of it. That’s what’s important.”

“No!” I lunge forward and sink my nails into his forearm. The material of his sweater bunch beneath my stiff fingers. “I can’t. I can’t just leave you. I can’t just ... I can’t live without you, Malcolm.”

He took my damp cheeks between his hands and peered intensely into my eyes. “You will, do you understand? Promise me! Naya!” he snapped when I sobbed and shook my head. “Promise me that you will stay away from here. That you will not contact me.”

“Don’t do this. I’ll marry him—”

“No!” He gave me a harder shake. “I won’t let you do that. Now, pull it together, kid. Your ride is coming up.”

“Come with me. Please. Please ... don’t...”

He ignored me. “Take the bag, Naya. Only this bag. Wiley is waiting for you. He’s a good guy and paid very well to take good care of you.” He raised his head and peered at the passing streets. “Okay, we’re almost there. Asa will continue to drive to the meeting point. When they come to get you, the car will be empty. That’s how long Wiley has to get you as far away as humanly possible.”

“What about Asa?” I blurted. “He’s going to get in trouble—”

Malcolm shook his head. “You snuck out at a stop light. He didn’t notice. The GPS will show he never made any stops or detoured from the plan. He’ll even arrive on time.”

“What about you? Won’t they suspect?”

“I’m currently in a meeting with six other people who will attest that I was there the whole time.”

“How—?”

“None of that is important. Did you hear everything I just told you?”

Mind a cyclone, I could only manage a feeble nod. “Your friend Wiley is waiting for us. He’s going to drive me ... why so far?”

“Because the first thing Jarrett is going to do is have all the regular places checked. Airports. Train stations. He might even extend the search to the province over, but by the time he thinks to extend the search even further, you’ll be gone. You’ll be another face in a sea of other faces.”

“I’m scared, Malcolm. I don’t know how to do anything.”

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