Page 26 of The Truth Between

I served myself breakfast and immediately dug in, happy to be feeling the fresh air caressing my face. From what I’d seen, Molly was an excellent cook, but being outside and eating was pure bliss. I was allowed to temporarily ignore the trouble I was in and pretend that everything was normal.

There was no way I was rushing through this meal. Every bite I took brought me closer to having to return to the building behind me.

I savored each bite and allowed my thoughts to drift wherever they wanted to go. This area was peaceful, and the soft, warm light from the heater made the space feel extra cozy. I adjusted the blanket around my shoulders, and once again, I was feeling comfortable despite the chill in the air. Deep down, I hoped I would be able to do this more often. That is if I couldn’t leave here altogether.

I noticed some birds flying around and I was slightly confused as to why they were still around. I’d figured most birds had flown south for the winter. Watching them soar freely in the air with nothing holding them back made me think about my own situation. For a brief moment, I wished I could be as free as them, back to the time when I hadn’t been kidnapped, nor was I obsessed with trying to find out what I could about Eddison Payne.

Maybe then, things could have been different.

I shook my head because there was no way I could go back in time and change anything, so it felt foolish to even think about doing so.

As I was finishing my breakfast, I saw Molly approaching me out of the corner of my eye. I turned and saw that she had her hands tucked into her apron and I wondered if we were about to have another awkward moment.

“Do you need anything else, Ms. Bennington?” she asked with a gentle voice.

“No, thank you, Molly,” I replied, giving her a small smile again. “Everything was delicious.”

“Alright then.” She nodded, turning to leave. “Let me know if you need anything.”

I watched as she walked back toward the kitchen, leaving me alone again on the terrace. I sat there for a moment, turning my attention back to the birds, but I knew I couldn’t stay out here forever.

Before I went back inside, I made sure to look around, mapping out a way I could get out of here. Sneaking out of the kitchen would be a good option, and if I could get back to training, I might be able to run it. But where was the nearest major road? Could I do something like this at night without alerting the house? Then again, I didn’t know what or who might be around in the middle of the night either.

But it was still worth a shot even if I did get caught. There were a bunch of trees farther out, and if I could get there, it might make it harder to catch me. But that was if I made it there.

Damn it. Sitting out here gave me a taste of what freedom would be like again, and I wanted it. However, what would be the cost if I failed?

I’d known that this wouldn’t be a straightforward answer unfortunately, but now it was even more complicated. With a heavy sigh, I stood up with the blanket still around my shoulders and left the tranquil scenery behind.

I stepped back inside and folded up the blanket before placing it across the back of one of the barstools in front of the counter. Although I tried to push aside my feelings, dread was growing inside of me. I was back under lock and key and escaping seemed almost as dangerous as staying here. But I needed to push those thoughts away. For now, I needed to focus on planning my next move and figuring out how the hell I was going to escape this hellhole I’d found myself in.

16

SOREN

Icould hear the pulsating beat of the music even though I was sitting in VIP. I took another sip from my whiskey as an unusual knot settled in my stomach. I was sitting in the back of Elevate, an exclusive bar and sex club in New York City, which was owned by members of the Cross family, who were Chevaliers and one of the most powerful families in the state.

Thankfully, this part of the club wasn’t crowded, giving me privacy that would have been impossible downstairs. It fit because I wasn’t here to party or to go and play in the basement.

I was here to meet with Parker Townsend.

As I took another sip of my drink, the liquor felt strong on my tongue. A strange knot had settled in my stomach as I waited for him.

It wasn’t usual for us to meet this often, which already had me on edge. This was unexpected, and I’d hired a driver to bring me all the way to the city to deal with it, not to mention he was now late.

I took another sip from my glass before I pulled out my phone. I checked the feed from one of the cameras in Iris’s bedroom, and I found her writing in the notebook I’d had Franklin leave on the desk in the room. I couldn’t help but stare at her.

What was she writing? And why did I want to know so badly?

Her profile was stunning and the light in the room did a wonderful job of highlighting her beauty. Her face was a picture of concentration as she moved the pen across the page.

I should feel guilty about spying on her this way, but I couldn’t resist. I was determined to know everything about her to the point that I could predict her needs. I was getting close, but there was always something to learn.

Switching to one of the other cameras I set up in the room, I watched as she set down the pen and walked over to the window. What was she looking at out there?

I could practically hear her plotting her escape from my home and that was to be expected. Knowing that didn’t make me feel any better about it, but knowing she couldn’t leave brought me comfort. Something I hadn’t had in a very long time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone walking up the stairs to VIP. I looked up and found Parker walking toward me, drink already in hand. I closed the app and slipped my phone back into my pocket as I prepared to give Parker my full and undivided attention.

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