Chapter Forty-Three
Amelie
I see Bastian running through the woods, Onyx giving chase.
He turns back and aims a gun at Onyx. My heart freezes in a silent scream of protest. But then the sound bubbles up and out my throat.
I don’t think Onyx hears me. Bastian must have been spooked by something though; he turns and disappears into the trees.
It’s funny when you care for someone, what fear does to your body.
I take off, worried Onyx will do something he can’t take back.
I know they do things that aren’t legal, but acting on impulse isn’t something I have ever seen him do.
Everything he does is planned, the risks calculated and weighed up.
Right now, he’s moving like a man possessed.
They’re both a lot faster than I am. The darkness slows me down, and I rely on the sound of their footfalls to keep me going. I can only pray it’s in the right direction.
A loud bang has me turning back towards the building I just fled from.
I’m too far into the thick of the woods to make out what just happened, but I manage to convince myself that everyone else will be fine.
Onyx has no one that knows where he is, besides me, and if Bastian has a gun, the night could end in disaster.
My gut wrenches at the thought. I can’t let that happen. Pausing to catch my breath, I bend over, resting my hands on my knees. Why do I always find myself in these damn situations in a bloody dress? I snort.
I have no issue with the drama, just the attire? I must be crazy. Delusional. Or is it hysterical?
Focus, Amelie! I chastise myself and draw grounding breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth to steady myself. Calmer, I begin to focus.
Silence falls around me. There’s no longer any sounds of running; there’s nothing more than trees rustling.
Shit!
“On?” I call out tentatively.
I know it’s dangerous, but I need to know he’s alive.
“Baby, turn around and run. I need you to run.”
It’s so dark, I can’t see any which way. His voice sounds like it’s coming from my right. I need to find him.
“Can’t do that,” I reply softly and he curses under his breath.
The sharp branches of the trees cut into my skin as I walk further into the forest. Dirk was not kidding about his country house being in the middle of nowhere.
The only part of the property that has been cleared is for the mansion itself and the lawn and gardens that immediately surround the property. The rest is wild and overgrown.
A twig snapping catches my attention, but it’s too late. The cold metal of a gun presses to my temple, and icy dread washes over me.