“Did you think more about my proposal?” I didn’t look at him. I didn’t indicate that I’d spoken at all, just in case the drones were watching.
Cards was silent for a minute. I let him take his time in answering.
“Do you know what Kaspar would do to me if I turned?” He was quiet, but I guessed there were no recording devices nearby if he was willing to respond at all.
I felt a flutter in my guts. “He won’t get the chance. If my sister was able to drive here for a meeting, that means we’re close to my home. If you can get me to the Servant Manor, my brother will reward you. I’ll make sure of it.”
Cards let out a long sigh. “Assuming you’re right about that, how do I know you’re not fucking with me?”
“I want to get the hell out of here. I’d feel extremely grateful to the man that was able to make that happen for me.”
Another silence. I let it sink in and tried not to jostle and show my agitation. I was so close—I could hear it in his voice. He needed money, and I was his best shot at getting a huge payday. Of course, he’d have to give up his life to do it, but what life did he have here?
From what I could tell, the guards did nothing but work. Their whole existence was dedicated to their boss, and there were no breaks, no weekends, no off days at all.
No families, no money, no life. No freedom.
Stuck, like me.
“Be ready at midnight.”
I tilted my head, heart racing, not sure I’d heard right. “Midnight?”
“Be ready. Don’t talk again. Drones are nearby.”
I nodded as if to myself and went back to staring out at the field.
Midnight. Midnight. The hour of my escape.
He was going to do it.
Really save me.
But when I got back home, what was I going to do?
I closed my eyes and pictured it. Darren would be happy, I had no doubt about that. He’d want to lock me up in a different kind of cage, one for my own protection, but I’d deal with that problem when I got to it. Erin would be livid, but I’d make sure Darren understood she was the one behind what happened to me as much as Kaspar was.
I’d reward Cards, of course. And I’d make sure he was sent away, considering we couldn’t ever trust him.
I had some of the Oligarch in me after all.
That night, I ate dinner alone downstairs, then went to bed early. I packed a small bag with just enough for a day or two at most, but I suspected it wouldn’t matter. I lay in bed tossing and turning, afraid of falling asleep, but also completely unable. Hours passed, and soon midnight rolled around.
I sat up, staring at the wall, waiting.
A soft knock at the door.
I wanted to scream. Instead, I stood and opened it as quietly as I could.
Cards stared at me. He wore all black and had a pack over his shoulders. He held a finger to his lips and gestured with his head.
I followed him into the hall.
I wasn’t built for this sort of thing. Cards moved quietly, like a stalking cat, despite his size. I was clumsy by comparison. The floorboards creaked where I stepped and he looked like he wanted to throw me out a window. We went down the back staircase and entered the black kitchen, not turning on any lights. I stayed as close to him as I could, afraid he’d leave me behind.
Which was absurd. I was his golden ticket.
We reached the back door. He opened it, looked outside, and gestured for me to follow.
I stepped out into the night.
Freedom.
A car was parked up ahead. Cards angled toward it.
I never actually thought this would work. When I set my plan in motion, I figured it was a long shot at best.
I should’ve been more skeptical.
But I was excited. I could taste home, feel my bed, hear the sounds of the familiar house. I was already thinking about taking a long, hot shower, and never hearing the name Kaspar again.
As we stepped into the open space between the house and the car, lights turned on.
Bright lights. White, phosphorescent, like the sun in miniature. I covered my eyes in confusion. “What’s happening?”
I couldn’t see Cards. I blinked against the sudden onslaught and felt around for something, anything—
Until a hand grabbed my wrist.
I yelped in surprise. The lights turned down from an impossible explosive brightness to a more manageable shine.
Kaspar stood in front of me, grinning.
Cards leaned against the car, looking at his fingernails, and winked.
“Did you really think you could get away?”
Laughter. His guards, standing on the porch.
I stared at them then glared at Cards.
He did this on purpose.
He wanted to humiliate me.