This path leads to an open field of grass. Rolling hills spread as far as the eye can see. In the distance, large pine trees act as a natural fence to whatever is beyond them. A neighbor, perhaps?
I wonder how far it is.
How long would it take me to get there? Hopefully, beyond the tree coverage is a road or clearing.
It’s not going to be easy, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
A part of me knows I’m actually the one being stubborn.
He hasn’t hurt me. Hell, he’s even offering to protect me.
Knowing who he is and what he does, I don’t want anything to do with him. Help or otherwise. I can’t sit and wait until the day he deems it safe. I have a life. Dreams. My subconscious screams for me to run, and if I’ve learned one thing through the years on my own, it’s to trust my instincts.
After I grab some provisions, I’ll make my escape.
Turning back, I retrace my tracks, making my way back to the atrium doors and into the hallway to cover more ground.
The atrium is definitely the easiest way out, but I’m sure there’s another exit, and I intend to find it.
The dark hallways have me confused as to where I am at any given point, but eventually, I find my way to another door. This one is behind the kitchen.
It’s probably for the staff to use to gain entry to the house. Which means it will likely lead to the driveway.
Driveways lead to roads, which will be the best and most efficient way out.
I vaguely remember when they removed the bag from my head that the driveway had trees lining it. If I can leave and camouflage myself amongst the tree trunks, I should be able to make it to the street.
Yep, that’s what I’m going to do.
A throat clears from behind me, and I practically jump out of my skin.
“Shit,” I pivot. “You scared me.” I lift my hand and place it over my racing heart as I watch Gideon stride into the room.
Oh God.
Being near him makes my hands feel clammy, and I swear my legs quake just at the sight of him.
I’m not sure what to say. My mind conjures up a million lame excuses about what I’m doing, but before I can offer any of them, Gideon takes a step closer to me, and I freeze.
His proximity sucks the air out of the room, and I feel like I can’t breathe. He’s so tall and intimidating. So damn handsome, and I hate that I think so.
Gideon’s eyes are narrowed, and I can’t tell if he’s about to smile or growl.
He’s a conundrum.
On the outside, I hopefully look calm and collected. My brain is firing off orders to take a deep inhale, stay calm, and wait for him to speak.
Despite the internal commentary, my heart jackhammers in my chest.
“Hungry?” he asks, and my nose scrunches in confusion.
“What?”
“Are. You. Hungry?” he repeats, and my head shakes back and forth.
“No.” It’s all I can muster with him so close.
“Then what are you doing in the kitchen?” The tone of his voice is playful, but it makes me shiver.