Chapter 8
Sterling
Celeste was panicking. I could sense her heart racing faster, her breath coming more quickly.
And even though this was only the second time I’d felt her body, I was more attuned to her than she’d ever realized.
I’d watched her from afar, learning her every subtle movement, studying her as she worked, trying to figure her out.
Being around my scent match without being able to do anything about it was the most painful thing in the world.
Every second I had to wear a mask of indifference, while I worked to keep her safe from her uncle’s plans.
Now, she was here in my arms, and acting in a way I’d never seen her act before. She was going to spiral.
“Is that enough proof for you?” I asked, and she only swallowed, her breath coming in fast and shallow.
I needed to get her somewhere far from her enemies.
“We need to get away from here now. Can you trust me?” I asked, hoping that she would finally let me help her.
She looked at me with big eyes full of fear and nodded.
“Alright. I’m going to have you follow me.
You cannot let them hear you, do you understand?
We need to get out of here without being seen or heard.
” I whispered, and waited until I was sure that Gideon and Elijah were deep in conversation before I took her hand, leading her away from the corner of the room.
Even though her skin was cold with fear, I savored every second that I could have her hand in mine.
It was more than I ever thought I’d have with her.
“Sterling! This is insane! How can they - what were they -” Her words came out like a waterfall, and I knew I needed to get her away as soon as I could.
For both of our sakes - she was acting way more reactive than I’d ever seen her, and I knew based on the tentative weeks off on her work calendar, her heat was coming soon.
If she let out any perfume now, I’d lose my mind. We had to get her somewhere safe.
“I’ll explain everything soon. We need to get you someplace where no one can track you.” I said, trying to use a calm voice as I pulled her down the hall.
“I have a place I'm staying.” She replied, and I nodded back at her.
“We need to get off your property without being seen. Pack Lockwood and your uncle can't know where you are.”
“Trust me, I'm not telling either of them where I’m staying.” She said with a new anger.
That was an improvement - I’d rather have her angry than panicking.
And now that she heard the proof herself, I could tell her everything, and she might just listen.
Between the back corridors and side hallways, I managed to get her outside the home and into the yard.
“Let’s go, we can use my car.” I said, pulling her in the direction of my vehicle, but felt her resist. I turned back, and her eyes were boring into me with suspicion. “What’s wrong?” I asked, and she shook her head.
“I’m not telling you where I’m staying. I don’t trust you. I don’t trust anyone at this point!” She snapped, and drew back her hand. I tried not to let the urgency of our situation make me sound desperate.
“Look Celeste, I get that. But out of all the people in the world, you should trust me more than anyone! I am bound to keep you safe!” I replied, hoping beyond hope that she would somehow sense what I already knew and listen to me. She crossed her arms, eyeing me warily.
“How could you possibly be the person I trust the most? In what world does that make sense? You kidnapped me, held back information that could have helped me all this time. You work for the man who I just found out has been sabotaging me and setting up my downfall. Why in the world would I trust you?” She nearly yelled, and I took a single step forward, trying to keep her from getting any more agitated.
It was time for the truth. I took a deep breath, hoping my next words wouldn't be like adding gas to a fire.
“Celeste, you’re my scent match.”