37. Anastasia
We don’t park too close to my parents’ estate. I know every entry and exit to this place, and I’ve snuck out plenty of times. Still, I’m riddled with anxiety.
“You haven’t even told me what we’re here for,” Adam says.
We watch the driveway past the gates, but I haven’t seen any people yet. I know there’s a grounds worker and likely frequent house maintenance—I just have to hope luck is on my side and it’s not a day they’re here.
“A book,” I say absentmindedly. I wish I had binoculars. We’re lousy spies.
“Why?”
“Because I think Liam took more than just home inspiration from Twilight.”
I’ll be highly amused if I’m right. My gut sinks at the thought of him. I miss him, and I’m so terribly concerned for him and how we’ll get him out of the mess his father created when we do find him. The others may have their reservations, thinking he could be hiding a sick, twisted side like Matthew, but I don’t believe it, even for a second. They don’t know him like I do.
Adam says, “I should go in. You wait on standby in the getaway car. I imagine it’s on that little bookshelf that floats above your desk.”
It’s not a bad idea, actually. As much as I hate the thought of sitting idle here.
“Yes, it is.”
I give him my keys, and Adam unclips his seat belt and gets out the car. I’m still scrambling to convince him I should go with him.
He takes a route I know will elude the surveillance cameras, but I worry they”ll have something new in place at the back door now the property is vacant and more vulnerable to thieves. I bite my thumb and bounce my knee as ten minutes turns to twenty. He should be back by now. I try calling his cell, but it rings out.
“Damn it, Adam,” I mutter.
My eyes flick up just briefly and catch a flicker of movement trying to creep up on my side in the mirror, and I know it’s not Adam. My hand lashes out for the lock button just in time as the man tries my door, and I gasp, heart thundering, as I stare right at the gun in his hand.
“Miss Kinsley, we’re armed police,” he says, producing a badge as he brings his face to my window. “Is there anyone else in the car with you?”
I’m scrambling with what to do. This was over before we even got a chance. Did my father already anticipate I might come back here?
“We’re under order of the president to detain you. If you will please cooperate with us, ma’am.”
Like fuck I will.
It’s in that second I make the most crazy, reckless, and dangerous decision. I pull off the hand brake and kick down on the accelerator.
Sirens pursue me in a heartbeat, and I have no idea what I plan to do next.
I’ve lost my damn mind.
I try Adam’s phone again. This time he answers, and I’m about to scramble nonsense words in my panic about what the fuck to do, but it’s not his voice I hear.
“Anastasia Kinsley, you will stop that car right now!” my father yells.
I quickly hang up.
“Shit!” I hiss into the car.
Adrenaline is pumping my blood hot and fast as I focus on the road I’m speeding dangerously through. I cut into less busy areas, but I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. Who the fuck I think I am. All I know is that as soon as my dad has me, he’ll put me under lockdown.
I won’t be separated from Rhett again. Though a high-speed police chase is a radical declaration of love, even for us.
Rhett’s going to be pissed as hell when he finds out.
I wasn’t lying when I said I was great driver. It’s as if the stakes make me more focused on the road, the possible hazards, the consideration of others. This car drives like a dream, and I decide it’s better than the Porsche I typically favor.
My phone rings again, and I only just catch a glimpse of the caller ID in my focus. I can’t tell if I’m awash with dread or relief to see Rhett’s name.
I pick up and press the speaker.
“Ana, where the fuck are you?” he growls into the phone.
“Have I ever told you how sexy you sound when you’re angry?”
I can’t help my smile as I imagine his absolutely seething scowl.
“I’m coming to get you.”
“Don’t! You can’t. I’m, uh, taking the long route, but I’ll be back soon.”
“I can hear sirens.”
“They’re just passing.”
“Ana,” he warns.
I hear Rix in the background next. “Oh, hell no! Gimmie that phone.”
There’s muffling through the speaker like a struggle before Rix’s voice comes through more sharply.
“Please tell me I’m watching some other maniac in the same deep blue baby trying like a damn idiot to outrun a police squad.”
Shit. Fuck. Shit. “It’s on TV?” I blanch.
“My TV, yes! Not broadcast, as I’m sure your dad has a leash on that, but what the fuck, Ana! Did Adam put you up to this?”
“No, I’m alone. I think he got detained in the house. I don’t know how he was onto us so fast.”
More muffling, and I wince this time at Rhett’s outrage. “You’re alone?”
Now my panic is starting to seep through my adrenaline.
“I don’t know what to do, Rhett,” I admit quietly. “I’m scared he’ll find a way to keep me locked up if I stop.”
All that keeps my foot pumping the gas and disregarding all logic are thoughts of getting back to him. My vision blurs, but I blink it back, and a delirious laugh escapes me because it’s official ...
My love for Rhett Kaiser has made a crazy, unhinged, thoughtless fool out of me. And I think I’m the happiest woman alive because of it.
“You have to stop, baby. There’s no way out of this.”
“You’re telling me you’ve never successfully outsmarted the police?”
At that a small note of amusement filters into his voice. “Three times, in fact.”
I laugh, but my brow pinches in fear. “Then tell me what to do.”
“I’m telling you to stop. For me. It’s the safest way, and you’re not a criminal with nothing to lose.”
“I have you to lose.”
“That’s impossible, little bird. Stop, please. Your father is only concerned for you—he’s not a villain in this.”
“He made a villain out of you. That’s enough for me.”
“Please, baby.”
My hands tighten on the wheel and defiance locks my bones.
But I know he’s right. I’m a risk to more than just myself right now.
“Don’t leave me,” I say, finally slowing on the gas when I dip down into a city underpass.
“I’m right here, always.”
I wish that were true. That he was right here beside me and would go with me to face my dad. What tears me apart is that he’s the reason I keep stretching myself from my parents when I told myself I’d start to mend my relationship with them as soon as I got Rhett back. Now I might be even more bitter and resentful toward my dad for making me do this even though he doesn’t know it.
When the car stops, it’s the first time I realize the one cop car that pursued me has multiplied to four. The officers flood out of them, all pointing guns at the car, and I’m terrified. I know it’s not for me—it’s a precaution in case there’s anyone else in here making me do this.
“I love you, Ana.”
“I love you too.”
The call cuts out. I know he’ll be hacking my phone right now, erasing all trace of him, and my heart cracks more.
I get out, holding my hands up, and a cop beckons me to him cautiously.
“Is there anyone else in the car, Miss Kinsley?” an older man asks.
“No.”
Once they’re finished checking, they put their weapons away.
“Sergeant, we’ve to take her to the White House in an unmarked vehicle, and your team needs to be warned about any mention of Anastasia being leaked to the press.” A woman in a business suit comes over to us.
Most of the officers look pissed as hell at me. I give no reaction. It’s human nature to judge on actions, and rarely will anyone be curious enough to know the reasons before they condemn someone.
I follow the woman into the back of her car, and I stay silent despite them pressing me for answers. Why did you do it? Is someone threatening you? Whose car is it?
Shit, Rix is going to be so pissed with me. I hope I can get the car back since I’m confident he’s made sure it’s untraceable to him.
I’m flanked by three security to enter the White House. It seems ridiculous, but I won’t allow this to feel like a cage. They lead me to a large lounge room, where my mom sits on the elegant sofa while my dad paces at the window. When Mom spots me she whimpers, rushing over and pulling me into a hug as if I was presumed dead until now.
I meet eyes with my dad over her shoulder and it’s like we’re estranged. He’s absolutely furious in a way I’ve never seen before, and right now I don’t think I’m his daughter. I’m a law-breaker, a rebellious delinquent, a coldhearted bitch.
“What were you thinking?” he asks in a controlled calm as I step away from Mom.
“That I wouldn’t be dragged here to be locked inside a golden cage.”
Dad laughs, so far from friendly. “There will be nothing golden about it, I assure you.”
My temper begins to flare. “I’m not staying here. Not for one night.”
“You’re out of control. Ever since the death of thatdamn criminal.” He yells the last word, and my jaw locks.
“Rhett was never the danger to me—he’s the one who saved me from it.”
“You let him brainwash you, darling.”
“Victor Ross,” I snap. Dad stops pacing. “Did you look into him like you did Rhett? Of course not, because then you might have found out you did place a criminal by my side. That he spent his salary from guarding me on raping trafficked woman.”
Mom covers her mouth with a small gasp.
Dad shakes his head, and inside me everything twists with ugly, agonizing, hatred. Because I can see he doesn’t believe me. Doesn’t want to believe me, he’s so set on Rhett being the one who broke me. Who took away his perfectly quiet, afraid, and sheltered little girl.
He won’t accept that Rhett is the only reason I’m free from an existence that was killing me inside.
“This isn’t you,” he says, disappointment coating his tone.
“Because you never wanted to know me!” I cry. It breaks the seal on a vault I didn’t know I was locked in. I love my dad—god, I do—but the truth I’ve buried comes clawing out. “You’ve always been so focused on work and image that you wanted me to be picture-perfect. School, press, hosting, appealing, campaigning. Sometimes it’s like you’ve only ever seen a prop, and now I’m not putting on your show, it’s a shock to see what becomes of my independence. I’m not sorry I’m not your innocent little girl anymore. I’m not sorry for wanting to live my life. And most of all, I’m not sorry I fell in love with the only person to see me. To say he’s proud of me. To steer me toward what I want.”
Mom is crying, and I hate to see her hurt, wish I could comfort her, but I’m shaking too much with anger as I stare off with Dad.
“My biggest regret will always be allowing that man into your life for the poison he inflicted.”
My heart shatters where I stand. “I’m in love with Rhett Kaiser,” I say.
“He’s gone,” Dad says coldly.
My smile is made of the broken pieces. “Not to me,” I whisper.
I turn to leave.
“Your phone,” Dad says at my back.
My jaw flexes in irritation and humiliation. I’m not a child. But he has all the power in the room, and it’s like I don’t know him anymore. I wouldn’t put it past him to order a body search even if I was kicking and screaming.
I pull it out, leaving it on the coffee table. I don’t look to either of my parents before I stroll out the room.
There’s security all around the foyer. I’d likely be tackled, dragged to my room, if I tried to leave now. So I head up there myself.
In solitude, exhaustion sweeps me out of nothing but pure sadness. I want to crawl up in the bed and cry for hours, but I don’t, because I don’t think I’ll stop. I want Rhett to be curled up with me.
Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I pull out my new phone from Xoid. It doesn’t have typical apps and functions like a regular cell. I have to wait for Rhett to somehow contact me through it like Rix did. He’ll know how and when I can escape this place.
The first message to come through doesn’t contain any words. It’s a little bird animation that flies across the dark screen, and I break into a sob mixed with a laugh. Sinking down against the wall, I wait for what follows.
How are you, baby?
I think I’m officially the world’s worst daughter.
That’s a high achievement. I’m proud of you.
He pulls more laughter from me, and it’s healing until the sharpness in me cuts again. My head tips back for a moment to collect myself. I need him with me right now.
I miss you.
His next text slides onto the screen before dissolving away like the ones before.
What’s the plan of breakout?
We’re considering our options, but it’s looking like I might need to show you how to successfully lose the police after you break yourself out. I’ll be waiting.
No fancy tricks?
Fast and dirty, baby.
My heart skips a beat.
Tonight?
Unless you want to stay. As much as I want you, your parents mean well, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. You can take some time with them.
No. Nothing will be fixed even in a week locked here.
Midnight then.
I clutch the phone to my chest and try not to stare at the time. All it does is wrack me with guilt. I know I owe my parents part of me back, and right now, every confrontation with my father makes me fear I’ll never give it to them. He’s trying to get through to me, but the problem is, he won’t listen to hear it’s not what I need. When all this is over, with Alistair and Jacob gone, I’ll figure out how the fuck I’m going to make this divide work. One life for Rhett, my truest and happiest, and maybe I’ll have to accept living a life of pretend for my parents, who will never understand.