Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Does this complicate things with my sister? How could it not?
But first, I have to get away.
The first thing I notice is that Le Luxe is set behind rows and rows of tall pines, their evergreen needles forming a veritable wall behind which the club hides. The second is that I’ve never seen this place before in my life.
My heart’s in my throat when I gun the engine, the need for speed propelling me forward. Thankfully, the luxury car handles like a dream, as I take turns with quick jerks of the wheel. The yells of the people behind me fade as I pick up speed until I get to a main road.
Silence. Nothing but the hum of the engine and an open road before me.
I’m too wound up and anxious to cry, but I give myself permission to release a shuddering breath.
It doesn’t help.
I look around me and realize I’m alone. Completely and utterly alone. The road in front of me blurs. I swipe at tears and will myself to stay calm, to stay focused, and to get the hell out of here.
Hours later, I pull into the outskirts of the airport parking lot with a plan. The entire time, I waited for someone to chase me down, for sirens or even a helicopter to come after me like I’m their most wanted criminal. But no one came. I’m not exactly a getaway driver, so I assume either the couple whose car I stole doesn’t want to pursue me, or someone stopped them.
My heart aches and my stomach rumbles.
I call Nicolette again but get no answer.
It’s about seventeen hours to drive from here to Paris, and it involves a ferry. The longer it takes me to get there the more of a chance I’d be caught. At this point, I’m not even sure how many people are after me.
I need to get to Paris alone, without help.
Flying is the quickest option, but if anyone’s after me and boards a plane with me, I have no means of escape. I also can’t take any weapons on a plane.
So I decide to drive. I feel like a fugitive as I rely on caffeine to propel me forward.
I can do this.
I have to.
I abandon the car before I board the ferry and thankfully make it aboard with no one following me. I scroll through the phone to try to see why Thayer’s been arrested, but I see nothing.
I send Nicolette another text.
No response.
Hours later, I’m almost to what I’d call home.
I close my eyes, pretending to sleep on the ferry, and try to formulate a plan, but my thoughts keep going back to Thayer and Nicolette.
My family.
I hoped landing in Paris would give me some measure of reassurance, but I’m sorely disappointed. I still feel bereft.
I should be here with Thayer.
Thayer.
Why did they take him? I hate that I’ve left him in Corsica, but I’ve almost made him up in my mind to be a sort of superhero, who can handle anyone or anything that comes his way.
Thayer can take care of Thayer.
Still, I hate that I’m running. I want things back to where they were, where they should be.
I check my messages when we pull into dock, and my heart swells when I see a reply from my sister.
Nicolette:
Savannah! Where are you?
I can’t hide things from my sister, but I don’t trust her not to tell her husband.
Me:
I had to leave. What is happening? Is Cosette okay? Thayer?
Nicolette:
OMG, girl. Thayer’s been arrested for the murder of the officer!!!!
My heart thumps wildly in my chest. She hasn’t answered about Cosette.
They had him framed for the murder of the officer.
No.
“Hey. Excuse me, are you going to move or what?” A grumpy middle-aged man with a bushy moustache scowls at me. I move out of his way and go to a vacated part of the lot. I scan my surroundings, looking all over the place for some kind of a threat, but I’m not Thayer or his brothers. I have no idea what I’d even be looking for.
I duck into a bathroom stall, seeking momentary safety.
Nicolette:
Where are you?
Me:
I can’t tell you. I’m safe.
Nicolette:
You have to tell me where you are. Now.
My stomach flips uneasily.
Something doesn’t feel right. Nicolette didn’t answer my question about Cosette, and she doesn’t text like this. Has Fabien taken over her phone?
I decide to test it.
Me:
I told you I’m safe. I need some time alone. Just make sure that someone takes care of Blubbers, okay?
Nicolette:
Of course. Now tell me where you are.
Anger flashes through me. I narrow my eyes at the phone.
My fish’s name is Van Gogh. Who the hell is this?
Did they take my sister? Have they hurt her?
I send a quick text.
Me:
Call me
No response.
I exit and look around me. It appears I’m alone, that no one’s followed me.
Have I made a mistake leaving Corsica?