Chapter 53 Violet
Violet
“I have an idea,” I whispered, lowering my head as we slipped through the crowd.
The whole party felt unreal, with people crawling on all fours being steered by their leashes and a handful of women had men kneeling at their feet.
The space was overwhelmingly male, but the closer we moved toward the stage, the more women I noticed, laughing, relaxed, chatting with an ease and autonomy I apparently didn’t share.
“Let’s hear it,” Ryder said, always keeping himself a step ahead, angling his body just enough to shield me from wandering eyes. “Because if it was up to me, we’d be leaving.”
I flicked a glance toward the entrance, to the man stationed just off to the side.
I’d been watching him for a while, seeing him talking into a headset, checking off names on a clipboard before disappearing through a door tucked behind him after every new guest. “How do you feel about stealing?” I asked lowly.
Ryder’s head tilted. “Is that a trick question?”
My gaze followed the man as he stiffened his posture and hugged the clipboard to his chest, doing another slow sweep of the perimeter. “You see that guy?” I gave the slightest nod toward him. “Behind him is a door he keeps slipping through. Every time someone arrives, he goes back there.”
Ryder’s attention sharpened. “I’ve noticed, but don’t think whatever’s behind that door is worth the risk of us separating.”
“What if,” I said, lowering my voice as the crowd’s noise swelled, “that’s where they’re keeping the guest list? Credentials… maybe even the keycards for those locked rooms at the back?”
Ryder scanned the entrance again, jaw flexing. “I think this is a bad idea. I’m not leaving your side, that was the deal.”
“This is literally what you do for a living,” I whispered, forcing myself to look away when I felt eyes lingering on me. Ryder shifted instantly, stepping closer so his taller frame swallowed mine from view.
“I plan, blondie,” he muttered. “I prep. I don’t just decide to break into some back room on impulse in the middle of a party full of weird fucking people.”
“So you’re telling me you don’t think you can do it?” I baited, knowing I was pushing him.
But I was desperate. The man hunting my mum was in this room, breathing the same air, closing in. We needed something. Anything. Because I was out of ideas, and I was tired of running.
Ryder growled like he absolutely did not appreciate the comment. “Unbelievable,” he murmured. “You’re going to be the reason I get wrinkles.”
“You already have wrinkles.”
His head dipped closer, his body crowding mine in a way that looked possessive to anyone watching. His hand came up to encircle my throat. “Keep testing me, blondie,” he said, voice a low rasp behind the mask.
My pulse kicked hard beneath his fingers. Then his grip shifted, angling my head subtly toward the entrance.
“Your guy just moved.”
The man with the clipboard stepped away from the entrance again, disappearing through the door.
Ryder’s hand slipped from my throat to the small of my back, steady and sure. “Listen carefully,” he said, his mask brushing my ear. “You’re going to put yourself against that wall, head down. Don’t speak to anyone. Not a word.”
“But—”
“No.” His voice dropped into a dangerous growl as he guided me backwards. He planted me firmly in the corner, shielding me with his body. “I want it on record that I think this is a stupid idea,” he said, “but I also know that if I say no, you’ll just do it anyway.”
I wanted to protest, but he was right. Instead, I tipped my head up, only for him to pinch my chin and draw it back down. It was maddening not being able to see his expression behind the mask, but I didn’t need to. I could feel the anger radiating off him.
“Stay,” he ordered. “Do not move from this spot.”
“Ryder—”
He was already stepping back. “If anyone comes near you, keep your head down and stay quiet.” His voice hardened, edged with a challenge. “I’ll try to be quick.”
I found I was holding my breath as Ryder effortlessly slipped into the crowd, moving towards the entrance.
He pretended to stumble, knocking into the guy with the impression of drunkenness.
Except I was watching how his hand slipped inside the guy’s pocket so fast I would have missed it if I’d blinked.
I stood frozen, staring after him as he profusely began to apologise, picking up the clipboard that had fallen between them.
“Where’s your handler?”
The deep voice snapped me back, and I jolted, turning to find a man standing far too close to my side.
“He’ll be back in a moment,” I said quietly.
“Bitches shouldn’t speak,” he grunted, his mask a startling red. “You clearly have a problem with obedience.”
“Excuse me?” I shifted back instinctively, spine hitting the wall just as his hand lifted toward my face. “Don’t touch me,” I snapped, knocking his wrist aside before he could make contact.
His head tilted, surprise flickering beneath the mask.
“Feisty,” he mused, stepping closer and blocking my view of the room, including Ryder. “I wonder how much you’d cost me for the night.”
“There you are, my precious. I’ve been looking for you,” Aeris purred, slipping between us. “I trust she’s been on her best behaviour?”
“I want her,” the man grunted, his sleazy gaze drifting over Aeris. “And maybe you, if you’re offering.”
“Is that so?” she said sweetly, eyes glittering behind her mask.
“And tell me…” Her fingers trailed upward, adjusting the knot of his bowtie with practiced ease.
“Are you sure you can afford either of us? Because darling, there’s a very big difference between wanting something,”—she tightened his bow tie just enough to make him swallow—“and being allowed to touch it.”
Red mask’s bravado faltered, his eyes flicking between us.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Aeris said coolly, grabbing my hand and pulling me with her. As soon as we were out of earshot, her voice dropped. “Where the hell is Ryder?”
“He’s just… wait, where are we going?”
Aeris didn’t answer. She pushed through the crowd with growing urgency, weaving between clusters of people and heading toward the far side of the room.
“We need to leave,” she urged. “There has to be another exit.”
“Aeris,” I hissed, yanking her hand and forcing her to stop. “What’s going on?”
Her eyes flicked over my shoulder, the colour draining from her face. “This was a mistake,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“Miss Merrin.”
We both turned.
A man in a half-mask, the same as the guards, stood a few feet away. “If you and your pet would accompany me,” he said smoothly, “it would be greatly appreciated.”
Aeris stilled for the barest second before she straightened. “Be a good girl and go play,” she said, pushing me away slightly.
“Both of you are to accompany me.”
Aeris glanced at me, eyes alarmed. “She’s just leaving.”
“This isn’t a request, Miss Merrin.”
Aeris’s lips tightened a fraction. “Of course. After you,” she said, far calmer than I felt, before leaning in to whisper, “When you can, run.” Then she straightened and stepped aside, leaving me no choice but to follow.
The man led us across the room, past the music and low murmur of conversations, to a narrow corridor half-hidden behind a velvet curtain. The moment we crossed into it, the noise dulled to a distant hum.
“This way,” he said without turning as more guards stepped behind us.
Without any other option, we followed, our heels loud against the floor as the plush carpet gave way to bare concrete, the walls shifting from polished veneer to industrial grey. Overhead, the soft golden glow of the party was replaced by harsh fluorescent strips.
I shot Aeris a desperate look, searching her face for any sign she had a plan. But she moved with unsettling purpose, her expression unreadable.
Which was fine, because I could panic enough for the both of us.
The hallway opened abruptly into a broad utilitarian space, a loading dock or something close to it.
“Through here.” We were guided through a gap, wide rolling doors lining one wall, their steel surfaces scuffed from years of use while the other was covered in shelves.
A man waited near the door, hands clasped behind his back, posture rigid. The guard behind me shoved lightly in warning as I froze.
Shit.
“Miss Sonne, how nice to see you again,” Jürgen greeted, his expression cold.
His eyes flicked over my shoulder, and before I could react, a man seized Aeris and yanked her violently to the side.
I spun, only for another guard to clamp a bruising hand around my arm. “Get off—”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jürgen tutted, sounding almost bored. He gave a small gesture, and Aeris was dragged out of the room, the door slamming behind her. “You’re going to calm down,” he continued, “and come with me.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” I hissed.
The guard’s grip tightened, sending a sharp ache up my arm.
Jürgen didn’t blink. “Because if you don’t,” he said softly, “I’ll have your mother killed.”
My blood iced. “You’ll never get to her.”
Jürgen pulled a note from his pocket, opening it up with precision before handing it over.
I’m sorry, my flower. They promised to stop looking for you if I gave myself up.
Enjoy your life and the freedom I was never allowed.
Love you most.
I froze, recognising the tight, neat handwriting. She’d surrendered herself, all so I could live.
“Now that I have your attention.” Jürgen snatched the letter from my fingers, placing it neatly back in his pocket. “We’d better go. Your father is waiting.”