Page 148 of The Devil Can Be Kind

“Adalyn?”

My hands stilled on the against the frame, and I turned toward the source of the voice. Biting back my sigh of bitter irritation.

Sofia.

Who the fuck let her in?

As if reading my distaste, the beautiful brunette held up her hands in a placating gesture. “My Mamma insisted I come as her plus one.”

Did I care? No. And did I want this discussion right now? Also no.

I needed to get outside. NOW.

“Look Sofia, I really don’t care about this right now.” I swiped away the sweat starting to gather on my forehead, the adrenaline making standing still feel unbearable. “I’ve got to get outside,” I muttered, turning back to the window and trying the pane again.

“Why?” I heard her ask, barely audible over my puffing as I shoved and pulled at the window with my full strength.

“There’s something going on outside and I need to get out. NOW!” I shouted, slapping my hands against my thighs. Frustration and desperation were making my temper flare as helplessness settled in.

I heard the click of heels as Sofia approached the window beside me and also tried pulling at the ancient wood. She gave up after a second and then reached a hand up to her hair, pulling out a pin that allowed her curls to fall free. I watched as she wiggled the pin into the lock, freeing up space enough to create leverage for the pane to slide free.

What is happening right now? Why is she helping me?

Her dark eyes met mine and she shrugged gently. “I wouldn’t want to be married to someone that shuts me out of the important stuff either. I get it.”

I swallowed hard against the ghost of pain that danced in my chest.

Now really isn’t the time, I reminded myself.

I shook it off and sprung into action, pulling up the infuriatingly intricate layers of my dress and bunching them inone hand. I all but hauled myself through the window, landing ungracefully on the stones on the other side.

The night air was silent sans my steps crunching against the gravel.No gunfire or shouting. I didn’t know what that meant…or what I might find as a result of it.

My footsteps echoed loudly as I stepped away and turned toward where I assumed the guests’ vehicles were parked for the night.

“Where are you going?” Sofia called, climbing out through the window and scrambling to find her footing on the stones.

Why the hell is she following me?

“Car.” I grunted, not stopping a beat for the insolent party crasher.

“You’re going the long way.” She called. “There’s a shortcut.”

That had me pausing as I half turned back toward her, desperate for anything that would get me to Marco sooner.

She pointed out across one of the sprawling topiary gardens. “The gardens will get you there quicker. I can get you to it.” She nodded. Almost as if reassuring herself as well as me that she could.

Unease made me hesitate. “Why should I trust you? You hate me.” I pointed out.

She smiled softly and cocked her head to the side. “Guess I’m sick of being overlooked too.” She then sighed dramatically. “You coming or not? I would much rather be hunting for a rebound right now than helping you anyway…”

I sighed. “Fine.”

Ignoring the curdling feeling of distrust in my stomach, I followed after her as she set off through the garden. Her steps confident and measured as we passed by the various bushes. It was as if she knew the place well…which I most certainly did not.

Our steps crunched loudly against the gravel as we followed the pathway. The eerie silence hanging in the air set my teeth on edge.

The thudding of music from the hall was much quieter out here, sounding almost muffled somehow. It was the only thing that disturbed the eerie quiet that enveloped the grounds, and it had me wondering whether the danger had already passed.

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