Page 13 of Catching His Runaway

While Tommy gapes at her for siding with me, I move to stand. “I appreciate that, Camellia. If you’ll excuse me, I have some stuff to get my hands on. Sometime later, you can tell me all about my niece.”

Her smile returns as she nods. “Of course! I’ve been in your shoes, Valeria. I get how hard it is to be somewhere you feel you don’t belong. If you need anything, please, just ask. If you’ve met my sister, Eliza, she’ll be happy to do the same.”

Sister? Well, now, didn’t this become more interesting? I must’ve missed out on a rush of events.

Thanking her again, I leave my plate to be collected by whoever is unlucky enough to clean this place and move on.

Hearing the heavy scrape of Tommy’s chair, I’m sure he’s boiling on the inside.

Will the thought of me running to tell on him to Camellia help cool him down?

A smile comes to my lips, and I can’t help but laugh at the very thought. The sound is so foreign; it catches me off guard. For just a moment, I feel something that isn’t the weight of my situation pressing down on my chest. Allowing myself this smile to linger, my companion is happy to give me a reason for it to go away.

He catches up with me in a matter of seconds. Falling in step with me, his arm almost brushes against mine.

“What was that about? Figured you would’ve taken a chance to do something with her phone.”

Feeling his eyes linger as we walk, I know silence won’t satisfy him. Better to just tell him so he doesn’t start thinking up whatever reasons he wants. I bet he’s got a creative imagination.

“I’m not a fan of electronics,” I explain as nonchalantly as I can. “They’re easy to track and are used to spy on you. Don’t even get me started on digital footprints.”

Not wanting to spell out my fears of being found, I walk faster. The sooner we’re outside, the better.

Tommy will think this is another attempt to escape. He’ll be too preoccupied with his own demands to start poking holes in my defense.

Leaving the estate goes exactly as I assume it does. We don’t head out the same way I came in. Instead, Tommy remains tense as we swing around the front entrance and follow the fence all the way around.

“Can you try to relax for ten seconds of your life?” Rolling my eyes, I watch my step as we enter the wooded area. “Do you even know how to unwind? Probably not, huh?”

He makes this throaty growl in the back of his throat, unamused by my question. For most people, I bet they get scared of upsetting him. Well, I think I’ve crossed the line forever ago, so no point in worrying now.

His steps are far louder than mine, crunching hard against twigs. Thankfully, he doesn’t complain about the hike to get back to the nearest road.

“Just saying, this would’ve been quicker if we drove to it.” I’m happy to complain for both of us.

Scoffing under his breath, he follows it with an unamused chuckle. “Not in the mood to chase you down if you decide to try something.”

Rolling my eyes, I continue passing trees in the direction I think is the right way. We’ll find what we’re looking for, eventually.

By the time we reach the street, I have to make a guess on which direction to walk. Thankfully, I’m right.

His nose scrunches when he sees my Camaro parked right next to a mileage sign. “Seriously? Doesn’t look like a cheap purchase.”

“Actually, it was free.” Another smile forms on my lips. “Won it on a bet.”

While I may have had a bad luck streak lately, my earlier years were far more successful. Money wasn’t the only thing I gambled on in my time. This car means too much to me to even consider selling. Not like I’d get much. It’s missing a VIN, so no clean dealership would dare touch it.

Stopping in front of me, he holds his hand out, and I realize he wants my keys.

“No fucking way.” Without missing a beat, my lips curl downward at the thought of giving him my car.

“Do I need to search you?” Cocking a brow, I realize he’s completely serious. When I don’t answer quickly enough, he takes a step forward.

I’m not giving him my keys. If it means proving to him I don’t plan on running, I’ll drive right back up to the estate, and he can walk. I don’t care.

“I am not giving you my keys.” Spelling it out for him so he can understand, I gasp when he doesn’t stop moving in my direction.

Maybe I should have run. I’d rather leave my car here before I give it to him.

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