So I walk and walk and walk.
I find nothing.
No houses.
No buildings.
No people.
There are obviously people on the island, but they don’t live close to Langston. It would take a very long journey to reach another house from here.
And the fact that Langston didn’t send anyone after me tells me he’s not worried about me running into anyone.
I sludge back to the house as the sun begins to dip toward the water.
Several of Langston’s employees are going in and out of the house—cleaning, bringing in supplies, cooking.
“Miss Dunn, I have dinner ready for you. Where would you like to eat it?” a man in jeans and a dark shirt asks me.
I’m surprised he talked to me after Langston made it clear earlier in the day that no one was to talk to me.
“And you are?”
He shakes his head. “I can bring your dinner out to eat on the terrace.”
I sigh but nod.
He disappears inside.
I look more carefully at the employees going in and out. They are all muscled, have guns, could be killers themselves. That’s why Langston hired them.
“Here you are, Miss Dunn.” The man returns with a plate of food and sets it on the round table at the edge of the terrace.
“Thanks,” I say, unsure of myself as he pulls out the chair for me like I’m dining at a five-star restaurant instead of being fed while captive on an island.
He nods, as I sit, and then disappears back inside.
I’m alone again.
I eat my food quickly, realizing I’m hungrier than I thought. I don’t taste the food, I inhale it.
I don’t know when to expect Langston, but I do know that he’s been watching me. He knew the second I would return and had food prepared for me.
So it doesn’t surprise me that the second I finish eating, Langston appears.
He doesn’t speak or walk loud enough to make his presence known, but my heart recognizes the second he’s near.
I look up at him standing in the shadows, just outside the house.
I stare back.
“Did you enjoy your walk?” he asks.
“It was just great, especially knowing there were men watching my every step.”
He chuckles. “Up for another walk?”
I tilt my head. “I thought you gave commands, not asked questions.”