“Yes, you’re dismissed.” I’m just about to exit through his office door when Arturo clears his throat. “Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Phillips.”
“What is it, sir?”
“Mistakes will not be tolerated. Do you understand?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Good. Now, get the fuck out of my office.”
I don’t return upstairs right away. Instead, I head to the security office and seal myself inside, grappling with the thoughts inside my head.
Arturo knows about my daughter. He knows about Heath and his Vegas wedding, and probably about his new wife Darlene. I have to give credit where credit is due—Arturoisthorough. But that’s not going to deter me from helping Willow escape. If anything, he’s shown his hand prematurely. A mistake if there ever was one. Everyone and their mother can do a simple background check, but now that I know what he knows, I’ll do what I have to in order to stay two steps ahead.
I settle before the surveillance monitors, studying the comings and goings of everyone on the compound. I spot Heath and Willow together in her room. They appear to be talking, though there’s no audio. If I had to guess, my brother’s probably trying to crack a joke. Judging by the way Willow’s slender shoulders shake, I’m willing to bet it’s working.
I get to work, setting a few cameras to record. If I can get a long enough loop, I’ll be able to play it back over the system so when the day comes, whoever’s on surveillance duty will be none the wiser. I’d knock the cameras out entirely, but that will only raise suspicions. I have to be careful about this. Careful and discreet.
By the time I make it back upstairs, Marianne has already served Willow her dinner. The housemaid is a lot easier to read than the other folks on the compound. She’s jittery, always looking over her shoulder. I’ve noticed she tries to sneak Willow extra helpings, but I’m not yet convinced she can be trusted. Marianne seems just as likely to squeal as she is to be an ally, but I’m not writing her off just yet.
In a place like this, we need as many friends as possible.
“What took you so long?” Willow asks me when I step into the room. “Did I get you in trouble?”
“No, I’m not in trouble.”
Marianne shakes her head. “That was a foolish thing to do. So terribly foolish. What if you’d been hit by oncoming traffic? Haven’t you learned your lesson by now?”
Heath clears his throat. “Marianne, would you mind showing me to the kitchens? I’m starving.”
The housemaid squints at him. “It’s just downstairs.”
“This place is massive. I’m worried I’ll get lost.”
Marianne rolls her eyes with a huff. “Fine, fine.” Her tone is softer when she speaks to Willow. “Make sure to eat every bite, Ms. Willow.”
Willow forces a polite smile, but I know her. There’s a weariness in her, and dark, heavy circles have settled just beneath her eyes. “I will, I promise.”
The pair head out, leaving the two of us alone.
Willow anxiously picks at the hem of her skirt. “Did I do okay?” she asks, referring to my note.
“You were perfect.”
“My father trusts you now?”
“Enough to leave you in my care while he flies to Mexico.”
Willow’s eyes widen in surprise. “When?”
“First thing tomorrow.”
“And we’ll leave right after?”
I shake my head subtly. “No.”
Willow’s look of dismay is totally understandable. “What do you meanno? Esteban and Arturo won’t be here. It’s the ideal time for me to run for it.”
“Sure, but they’d only bring you back.”