Page 11 of Wanted 2

I didn’t answer Jeremy and kept on driving. When I finally pulled into the private driveway and drove up the long, winding road, he asked again, “Where are we going?”

“We’re here,” I said as the mansion came into view.

Jeremy stared, wide-eyed. "Is this where you've been living?"

My stomach dropped when I realized what this must look like to him. I was living the rich life while he’d hidden out in shitty motels. What a wretch of a sister he must have thought me.

I parked the car and then answered, "Yes. I'm the housekeeper here and it's a live-in situation. I don't think you can stay without me losing my job, but you can come inside until I figure out something.”

“Okay.”

His small voice broke my heart. My knuckles turned white as I clutched the steering wheel. I was so tired of my heart breaking all of the time. With a deep breath, I got out of the car and helped him out.

He followed me inside, limping in pain and trying to hide it. I did my best not to hover over him, but it was hard. I wanted to give him a better life, but I wasn’t succeeding.

Depressed and on edge, I led him up to my room. It took awhile to get there, and I felt bad about making him navigate up the stairs, but I only felt comfortable having him rest on my bed. I couldn’t impose on the Count anymore than I already had by installing Jeremy in one of the guest rooms without permission…even though he’d probably never notice… but still.

“Nice room,” Jeremy said as he hobbled to the bed.

“Take a nap,” I ordered as I dropped his Advil on the side table. “I’ll wake you up in a few.” As soon as I figured out what to do with him.

He was out before I even reached the door.

This time,I let myself into the Count’s office as the very first order of business. I couldn’t risk cutting it so close to evening anymore. And while I was ninety-nine percent sure he wasn’t awake, my heart still pounded as I quickly downloaded the files from each camera onto a USB thumb drive and reset them.

I’d originally planned on driving to Jeremy’s hotel to use his school laptop to play back the camera results, but with his school bag conveniently in my car, I didn’t have far to go this time.

I settled in the back seat, dug through his backpack, and turned the machine on. Ten minutes later, I was flipping the lid shut in disappointment. The Count hadn’t even entered his office, let alone opened the safe.

Oh, well. I still had five days, didn’t I? I’d succeed. Iwould.

And right now, I couldn’t waste time worrying about the future, not when I had Jeremy hiding out upstairs.

My shift wasn't for a few more hours, so I went to the kitchen and made some pasta and garlic bread, Jeremy's favorites. At least he’d wake up to a good meal, for once. I brought it all upstairs on a tray that I left by his bed, then I ate my portion in silence in front of the fireplace as I obsessed over what, if anything, I should tell the Count.

Maybe, I could hide Jeremy for one night and sneak him out in the morning? Surely, the Count wouldn't even know he'd been here. This place was so big, and Jeremy looked so pale, with deep purple bruises under his eyes. He needed rest. He needed to feel safe.

And the school was getting suspicious. His teacher said he's been falling asleep in class and seemed more anxious than usual. They wanted to talk to our father, but I put them off. For now.

After I finished eating, I checked on Jeremy one last time, drawing the covers up to his chin and tucking him in more snugly. He smiled in his sleep and nestled down in the pillows, no doubt, on some deep level remembering mom, so I hummed a song she used to sing to him when he was a baby.

Sleeping, he looked even younger than normal, so innocent and fragile.

And that settled things for me. I made up my mind right there, even knowing I’d just invited the universe to bite me in the ass, as it so often enjoyed doing.

It didn't matter.

I'd take the hits for this kid any day.

I kissed his forehead, then closed the door softly behind me as I went downstairs to start my shift.

When I saw the Count, I’d have my say, and he would listen. I wouldn't lie or break his rules, at least not in this. But I wouldn't back down, either. I was doing all this for Jeremy, and right now what my brother needed most was me and a safe place to live until I could get us out of here. So, I was going to give him that.

I was moppingthe kitchen floor when I felt the Count's presence before he spoke.

“Who is the bleeding child in your room?”

I looked up, propping my fist on my hip and holding the mop in my other hand.

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