Page 87 of The Revenge
“Royal went to find your father. He said Preston has been dealt with, and we can go.”
“Where’s Royal now?”
Gemini shrugs. “When we saw Tori wasn’t in here, he went to the guest room. Maybe he’s waking her up with an orgasm. Wait a minute… Did I get played…?”
Whatever Gemini’s ranting about, I tune out as I start to head for the bathroom. But something catches my attention from the corner of my eye.
I stop, frown, and take a step backwards. Certain I’m now hallucinating, I walk over to the dresser.
Lying on top of it is the engagement ring I gave Tori. Beside it is a piece of paper. On it, in Tori’s handwriting, is a single word…
Dinosaur.
XXXIV
Tori
Exhaustion seems to have seeped into every cell in my body. More than anything, I want a shower, but as I don’t want to wake Syn, I have to satisfy myself with a quick clean at the sink before I dress and gather my few things into my bags. Despite Syn saying he bought all the clothes in this room for me, I have no desire to take them with me.
My gaze drops to the jewelry on my hands and wrists. I hope Mr. Keyingham keeps his word and helps release my brother, but even if I don’t have to pay a lawyer, having some money for my mom, Cole, and me to start over would be useful.
The watch and tennis bracelet will fetch a nice amount of money. The engagement ring would too... but the way Syn was looking at it last night tells me that leaving with it, even if I sell it, would be more significant to him than it should be.
Other than tired, I don’t know what I feel. Last night caught me off guard, and while I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to, I’m not sure what Syn’s motives were.
For the first time, I think his apology was sincere. I’m grateful I managed to hear it, and I accept it. But I’m not ready to forgive yet... if I ever can.
I need time.
I need distance.
I need to get out of here.
Carefully, I pull open one of the drawers on the other side of the room. I found the notepad and pen in there when I was snooping around the room the first night I got here.
There’s a lot I want to say, but I know Syn. If he wakes up before I leave, he’ll make leaving harder. I also know he’ll choose to interpret my words how he wants unless I make it brutally clear.
Behind me, he sighs in his sleep, drawing my attention to him. Asleep, he looks like an angel. But the devil was also an angel before he fell.
Just like that, I remember everything I’ve been through to get to where I am now. With the memories comes the message I need to write.
When I signed the contract and walked into Denali House to be their slave, Syn offered me a pass. A get-out-of-jail-free card in the shape of a single-use safe word.
Hopefully, that will be enough to get my message across.
I set the note down on the side and pull the engagement ring off my finger. I quickly set it down with the note. Carrying my bags so the noise of the broken wheels don’t wake Syn, I leave his room, taking all traces of my presence with me.
It’s a little after six. Syn’s father said to spend the night, which I did. Seeing as though Preston was tied up in the back of Royal’s car, I’m assuming so there was a reason for us being here while he took care of things. Even if William is still dealing with that, as far as I’m concerned, it’s early enough that I can leave without it looking suspicious.
I leave the bags by the door and then quickly look for the closet the housekeeper put my coat in. Just as I’m ready to leave, I find the right door. I put the coat on and turn around, only to find Mr. Keyingham behind me.
“You’re leaving.”
He doesn’t say it as a question, but I nod anyway. “I figured it wasn’t going to be an issue at this time.”
“It’s not.”
“Preston—”
