Chapter 52
Chapter fifty-two
Sage
We fell asleep on either end of the couch.
Paisley is curled up into a ball with a soft smile on her lips.
She’s clearly in the midst of a sweet dream while mine had been dark.
Literal darkness that filled me with chills strong enough to wake me several times.
And each time I looked at my phone clutched in my good hand.
I never fell deep enough to drop it to the floor.
I’m waiting for anything. A call from Barrett. A message from Nova. Anything, despite not expecting either through the night. Barrett is busy and Nova is likely sleeping calmly with her newfound confidence and freedom.
The moon allows some light in the house, and gives no indication of the time.
It feels like the sun should be making an appearance soon, but a quick glance at my phone says there’s hours left in the night.
It’s too early for Barrett to return, but I stare at my phone anyway, hoping for something.
I won’t get back to sleep after this. Not until I know everyone is safe.
Maybe I can convince Barrett to take me to see my sister again.
I know I’m pushing her. It isn’t the best course of action. I need to wait and let her come back to me on her own. That isn’t how I handle things.
For a moment, I think my hope is strong enough to make things become a reality. My phone is buzzing in my hand and my heart jumps in my throat. I expect to see Barrett’s name on the screen, but it’s my sister’s.
The timing is odd, but who am I to argue when all I want is for her to stop pushing me away. When I answer, I keep my voice barely above a whisper so as not to wake Paisley.
“Hey, Nova. Is everything okay?”
“For now,” a male voice responds.
“Who is this?” But I already know who it is.
“It’s Dorian, sweetheart. I’m offended you don’t recognize my voice.”
“Why do …” There are so many ways to ask. Why do you have my sister’s phone? Where’s Nova? What do you want?
He answers it all without needing me to finish. “Your sister is with me. This is the only way to get your attention.”
I hold the phone between my ear and my shoulder, using my good arm to sit up on the couch. The movement disturbs Paisley, but she doesn’t look at me with concern. The soft smile on her face is still there and I assume she thinks I’m talking to Barrett.
“I can kill her a lot faster than it takes for your bodyguard to find me. Faster than you can send him a message. She could be dead before the end of this phone call. You’re going to do exactly as I say.”
I can’t control my expression as I look over at Paisley, the softness immediately evaporating from her face. Lifting my sore arm, I set a finger over my lips. I can’t chance Dorian hearing her on the other end.
“I don’t like your silence, sweetheart.” Fear slices at my insides from the threat in his voice. It isn’t veiled or muted with politeness as it was in my office. It’s pure, raw, and terrifying.
“I’m listening.” I manage to keep the whimper out of my words. But those words alone are enough of a clue to make Paisley sit up straighter, leaning toward me to hear the conversation. I don’t move to help her. I’m frozen in place.
“That’s very good.” It’s creepy how his tone changes so drastically from threat to praise. “You’re going to leave wherever it is you’re stashed away and trade yourself for your sister. You have thirty minutes.”
“Where?”
“Liam’s house. You know where your boss lives, don’t you?”
“I can’t get there in thirty minutes from where I am.”
“And where is that?”
“I need an hour—to escape here first.” I ignore his question and hope that not answering won’t hurt my sister.
It isn’t a full hour from here and that’s even after taking the time to convince Paisley to let me out of the gate.
Barrett hasn’t yet given me that information and I’m praying Fain allows Paisley in and out on her own.
But if I can buy myself a little more time to contact Barrett so he can get there soon after me, then I have to try.
Paisley is shaking her head and I close my eyes to shut her out. I don’t have a choice. He’ll kill her instantly if I don’t play along.
“Thirty minutes.” His voice has turned deadly again. “It starts now.” The line goes dead and I lower the phone, wanting to cry. Needing to cry. But I don’t have time for that.
“Sage?”
“He has my sister,” I choke out. “I need you to open the gate for me, Paisley. Please. I don’t care if you call Barrett or Fain or whoever, but I don’t have time to wait or make a plan. He’s too far away and I can’t get there in time. I need to hurry.”
“Calm down. Who has your sister?”
“Dorian Campbell.”
“Okay, I’m calling Fain.” Paisley reaches for her phone on the coffee table.
“Not yet. Please, Paisley. It’s my sister.
She’s been through so much and now she’s going through this all because of me.
She’s going through a lot because of me.
Send them after me, I don’t care. I can’t do this without them, but I have to get him to release my sister first.” I’m begging.
The guilt of what I’ve done to Nova is making an appearance.
She wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for me.
I would. Without having met Barrett, I would be in Dorian’s hands right now and my sister would still be living with an abusive husband.
“I don’t like this.”
“It doesn’t matter. There’s no other choice.”
When she doesn’t immediately respond, I get up and run toward the bedroom, ditching the sling and scouring the bowl of keys Barrett has on the top of his dresser.
The sleek sports car will be the fastest. I don’t care if I bring attention to myself.
Bring it on. I’ll do anything to save my sister, but I’m counting on Barrett to save me. Save us.
“Where are you going?” Paisley is waiting for me by the door after putting in the code to open the gate. Tears pool in her eyes, and her phone is in her hand, ready to make the call.
“Tell them I’m going to Liam Morrison’s house. And tell them they better hurry up.” I give her the shortest hug in existence. “Thank you, Paisley. And I’m sorry to put you in this position.”
I try to watch the time as I drive, but I’m more focused on getting there in one piece and without getting pulled over, delaying me even more.
My arm aches from using it to drive with such a tight, controlled grip.
The throb pushes against the stitches and wetness soaks into the bandage.
When I finally park outside of Liam’s house, I see I’m ten minutes late.
“No, no, no. Please be alive.” Running out of the car, I leave the door wide open while I rush toward the darkened house. I don’t know if Liam is here or if he is a part of this, but I have a fleeting moment wondering where his wife and children are right now. Are they safe?
The door is unlocked. As I enter the house, I leave the front door open too. One less obstacle for Nova to go through to escape. I have the car keys in my hand, ready to give them to her.
“Nova,” I call. Her name only echoes back to me. “Dorian.” There’s still nothing.
I fall to the floor, my knees hurting as they hit the harsh tile. I’m too late. No one is here. The sobs break free and I bury my face in my hands.
“I’m so sorry, Nova.”
“You should be.” The door slams shut behind me.