A High so Sweet (Thornes & Roses 2)

I don’t see anyone from the window, but before I get out and make my way to the spot, I know she’ll be waiting. I inhale a couple of deep breaths, hoping they’ll calm me down. But knowing what I do about her life, what she’s been doing since she left Thorne Haven, I can’t find it in myself to keep calm.

She made mistakes.

We all do.

Yes, the lie she told was harsh, but she’ll most certainly pay for it once I’ve freed her from Paulo and chained her to me forever. The thought of keeping her as mine has been solidified in my thoughts. There’s no going back. I can’t. With that in mind, I pull out my phone and tap out a text to Dad.

Even though he doesn’t know what’s going on, asking him for help will ensure I can do what needs to be done tonight. I don’t have to wait long for his response, and I’m surprised because usually around this time, he and his new wife are locked in their wing of the manor, not to be seen till morning.

Thankfully, he’s agreed.

Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I push open the car door and inhale the woodsy scent of the forest. This is the place where I’ve lost myself so many times, I’ve lost count. It’s dark already, and a chill has set in the air, which means it’s time to have some fun with Kalyn. I hope she remembers the game.

I cup my hands at my mouth and offer up the cry of the game, two long whistles which echo amongst the thick tree trunks. And that’s when my feet carry me into the shadows.

I’m coming for you, little liar.

17

Kalyn

The echo of his call has me jumping in shock, my feet moving on instinct through the trees. I don’t run because I don’t want to; I don’t need to because I know Cassian will eventually find me. Instead, I make my way toward the lake, slipping behind the thick trunks every now and then, hoping he won’t get to me before I reach the water.

My talk with Genevieve didn’t go as expected. She knows more than she should about what Paulo is like, and I didn’t expect it. Her guess about his demeanor was perfectly on point. And the fact that she knows about our relationship, the possessiveness of my fiancé doesn’t sit well with me. Guilt had eaten at me as she tried to warn me to seek help, but what she doesn’t realize is if I do anything to anger him, my father will be left with no medical treatment, and it’s expensive. More than we can afford.

Anger takes hold of me when I think about how Dad had squandered our money as if he had a never-ending supply. And his choices have brought me to this moment, where we’re going to have to sell off everything to pay back what we owe Paulo. But not only that, I’m indebted to a man I hate. On the one hand, I blame my dad, and on the other, I blame myself for agreeing to go ahead with it.

Shaking my head of the errant thoughts, I focus on my steps and finally make it to the clearing where the full moon is shimmering on the glassy lake. Silver glints at me seconds before a hand slips over my mouth, causing a scream to muffle against the soft, warm palm that’s covering my lips. His other arm snakes around my waist, and he pulls me against his hard, toned body.

“Got you, little liar,” Cassian’s whisper skitters over my cheek, causing goosebumps to rise in its wake. “I’m going to release you,” he tells me, and I can feel the smile on his expression as he presses his lips to my ear. “No screaming.”

Slowly, he removes himself from holding me, and I immediately miss his touch. But I know he didn’t bring me here to reminisce about old times; this is for him to extract his payback.

I spin on my heel the moment I’m free, coming face-to-face with his beautiful eyes, shadowed under the black hoodie he’s wearing. He’s clean-shaven, his smooth, angular jaw greeting me as I take him in. Full lips curl into a sinister smirk that makes my stomach tumble with nerves.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he finally says, pushing the hood off, and I notice his hair is shorter than usual. The buzzcut suits him. My fingertips tingle to feel his soft hair, to run my fingers over his head while he’s feasting on me.

“Neither did I.” Flicking my gaze to the ground to clear my wayward thoughts, I focus on his feet, hidden in black combat boots. Cassian looks like the epitome of dark and dangerous as he leans back against a tree. He crosses his arms in front of his broad chest, and I can only imagine the muscles bunching under the heavy material of his clothes.