Page 77 of Love Bleeds Red
I push up from the log and study the estate through the trees, paying extra attention to the precise spacing of the security lights, the way the cameras are positioned to eliminate blind spots. Falin’s right, this place is a fortress. If we get any closer, we’ll set them off.
I feel ill.
“Let’s head in that direction,” I say, pointing toward the secondary entrance. “There may be less security.”
“So through all these trees?” Damon asks. “You sure you don’t want to come back in the morning?”
“We drove all this way, might as well see what we find.”
“I love a good night hike,” Jasper says, starting to trek between tree trunks.
Damon follows, and I take up the back. “We just need to stay far enough away to not set off any motion detectors. I wish I brought my signal jammers… I don’t have all my gear from back home.”
“Aww, he’s calling New York home,” Jasper says.
“Yes, well, don’t get all sentimental on me. I?—”
Suddenly, alarms shriek across the estate grounds. Floodlights blaze to life, transforming the darkness into pools of glaring white. Not pointing toward us. Pointed within the grounds.
We dash behind a nearby tree, guns aimed, frozen. My hand shakes on the grip.
“Something’s happening,” I breathe, watching as armed security guards pour out of hidden positions across the estate.
“Holy fuck,” Jasper says. “I count at least five.”
“And that’s only what we can see,” Damon adds.
“They’re not coming this way. Why aren’t they coming this way?” Jasper asks, sounding just as bewildered as I feel.
“Movement!” Damon points into the distance. “Two figures, running!”
Through the chaos of lights and alarms, I catch sight of them. Two people sprinting across the open lawn, heading far from our view. One stumbles, and the other immediately turns back to help.
A guard isn’t far behind, yelling for them to get down. More of them are advancing from multiple directions.
Through my pounding heart and adrenaline-fueled mind, a singular thought surfaces.
“We have to help them,” I say, already moving toward the fence.
“Lee, what the fuck—” Damon starts, running after me.
“Let’s go! ” I tuck my gun away and grab the iron bars. “Someone’s running for their lives in there.”
“Bro, think for a second!” Jasper says, catching up. “Those cameras will snag us the second we cross this gate.”
“Good. Let them come.” Maybe my father will see me, there’s no turning back now. I pull myself up, finding footholds in the ornate metalwork.
Behind me, I hear Damon curse under his breath. “You’re going to get us all killed.”
“Probably,” I admit, swinging my leg over the top of the fence. “You coming or not?”
The sound of Jasper’s boots hitting metal tells me his answer. “Fuck it. I’m in.”
“This is insane,” Damon mutters, but he’s already climbing.
I drop to the ground on the other side, my boots sinking into the damp earth, and immediately sprint toward where the two figures disappeared. The estate’s alarms are deafening, blockingout the sound of the guards, but I hear Jasper and Damon’s labored breathing behind me.
“Where?” Jasper murmurs, asking the same question I’m thinking. Did they manage to hide, to get away?
