Page 21 of Hollow

“We need to get her out of here,” I say to Damiano. “Not through the house. Too many people.”

He nods, understanding immediately. “The eastern path through the forest. It connects to the harbor road.”

“My place is closest,” I say. “The shipping container.” I turn to Briar, who’s staring blankly at Liam’s body. “Hey.” I step into her line of sight, blocking her view. “Look at me, not him.”

Her eyes are glassy, unfocused. Shock. I’ve seen it before on the fishing boats after accidents. “We’re going to my place. It’s safe. No one will look for you there.”

She blinks, trying to process. “But the party...”

“Damiano will handle it,” I say, looking at him. “Right?”

He hesitates, glancing between Briar and me, then at the body. “I’ll tell everyone she got a migraine and went to bed. Send them home. Then come back for... this.”

“Can you manage alone?” I ask.

A shadow crosses his face. “I know what I’mdoing.” His voice is flat, emotionless—professional almost, like this isn’t his first cleanup job.

It’s not reassuring, exactly, but it’s what we need right now.

“Take this.” I slip off my leather jacket and hand it to Damiano. “Cover her with it. Hide the blood.”

He wraps it around Briar’s shoulders, and it swallows her small frame, making her look even more fragile.

“The eastern fence has a loose section,” I tell him. “Behind the old elm that got hit by lightning last year. You can get through there without being seen from the house.”

He raises an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

“I’ve been checking the perimeter of these fancy estates for years,” I admit. “Old habits. Rich people always have the best shit to steal, and I like knowing all the entry points.”

“Of course you do.” He shakes his head, but without real judgment.

“Meet us at my place when you’re done here,” I say. “You remember where it is?”

He narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw. “I remember.”

Right. The last time he was there, things didn’t end well between us. Another memory best left buried for now.

“Go,” he says. “I’ll handle this.”

I turn to Briar, who’s leaning heavily against him. “I’m going to take your other side, okay? We need to move fast.”

She nods, still dazed but at least responsive. I slip my arm around her waist, opposite Damiano’s, and she flinches before forcing herself to relax.

“Ready?” I ask.

She takes a shuddering breath. “Ready.”

We guide her through the maze, Damiano leading with the confidence of someone who helped build the damn thing. Every turn looks the same to me, but he never hesitates. The moonlight occasionally breaks through the fog, illuminating the path ahead in brief, silver flashes.

Briar stumbles more than once, her strength clearly fading. The next time she nearly goes down, I decide.

“This isn’t working,” I say, stopping. “I’m going to carry you.”

She stiffens. “I can walk.”

“Maybe, but not fast enough.” I meet her eyes directly. “I’m not him. I’m not going to hurt you. But we need to move, and you’re about to collapse.”

She holds my gaze for a long moment, then gives a small nod.

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