Chapter 77
Seiler 1 shonk my head, brushing of the strange images that kept popping nito muy mind.
Tshappest my face hard, trying to snap out of 11, then goined my teeth and pooched myself na stant
I wouldn’t sureter more than a couple of days here
er water. É combfect post on and waiting in the. I had to do something
The plan was simple. I needed to get close to the small courryed and took somewhere with a signal to call the cops.
Boni was still daylight, and if there were too many people around, I would get caught. Td how to wat until night to make my move
andi
First things first, I needed something to eat
Immuntered up the strength in drag myself toward the fored on
of the courtyard. Three were a few fruit fores there I checked them,
The fruit was bland, that poem, it felt like a blessing After eating. I wandered a latte deeper into the forest, found a spot with some sit fallen. kroves, and collapsed shies
By the time evening rifled and, my fever had gotten worse, I wiped my forehead and probed myself up, forring my tired body to heart back
I was in up, and 1 could sell they hadn’t rested in two slays, hill searching for me. I ducked behind the trees, phone in hand, trying so fintignal.
But there was nothing. No signal at all. That meant I had no choice, I would have to get into the courtyard.
I planused to retrace my steps and find a way up to the top porch, somewhere out of sight, where could try for a signal.
But after struggling to climb, I couldn’t help but curse when I saw the phone screen. Damnst, still no signal
Then, without warning, a vine snapped under my foot. I tumbled, the sound echoing in the quiet night.
Goosebumps prickled my skin. Then, footsteps nished toward me. “What’s that noise
Athug below me picked up the vine, then turned to Forrest. “It’s fine, just a branch”
Forrest was here too. I froze, our eyes meeting. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Ms. Hinton, you’ve really made me work for this
My heart skipped. Instinct told me to jump off the wall and run, but just as I moved, a gunshot rang out, Pain shot through my calf, and I screamed, falling onto the porch
Forrest raised the gun, smirking. “If you’re not gonna cooperate, please don’t blame me for being tough. Ms. Hinton. Get her down here!
as too much.
The thugs started climbing up, but I couldn’t move. My calf was bleeding, and the pain was
held onto my phone, panic flooding me. This was it. Forrest wasn’t going to let me go.
What would happen to Benedict if I die? The thought gripped me, sluking me to the core. My head spun with fear.
Then, for some reason, I thought back to my dream from last night.
Maybe I was too selfish, thinking I could keep Henedict to myself. Was i
I thought of Quinn. Maybe he could be a good dad after all.
this my punishment!
With trembling hands, I typed a message on my phone: After I die, go find Rose and take care of Benedict. He’s your son.]
I sent it to Quinn, but of course, it didn’t go through.
couldn’t help but smile in frustration. No signal, of course. I must have really been out of my mind with this fever.
“Get down!” One of the thugs yanked my hair and dragged me off the porci.
The moment my feet hit the ground, everything went black. I couldn’t hold on anymore and passed out.
When I came to, I was back in the secret root Grimma was there, tending to the gunshot wound on my leg.
I gasped when she touched it. “AI”
She pulled off the bloody gauze and wrapped a new one around my leg without even looking at ine. “You’re on an island. What were you thinking,
Chapter 77
- 1 supposed to do? post sit here and wait to die? I forced a bitter smile
Gemina rolled her eyes. I told you, once the goods on your father’s ship got here. Forrest will let you goi
I didn’t hesitate. “Causing my family more trouble would be worse than dying for me)
ipped for a second, then looked at me like I was crazy. “Tamily” In this world, staying alive is all that matters.”
1 het my lip and asked. “If people are kind to you, would you just take it and watch them destroy themselves?”.
Gemma soned at me for a while, then frowned. “Im not like you. I’ve never met anyone like that”
The room was silent for a moment. I had an idea, so I asked. If you help me. I can help you. I’ll give you money, get you out of here, send
“Qui dreaming”“” Gemma shot me a cold look. “I’m not helping you. Don’t try anything stupid again.”
She lifted her shirt, revealing scars on her body, some of which looked like whip marks.
These injuries. Forrest did this?” I stared at her, shocked. “Aren’t you his girlfriend?”
hat! He can swap women whenever he feels like it.”
Then why stick around?” I couldn’t wrap my head around why she would still be with him,
“Because Forrest and the people backing him are worse than you think. Gemma’s voice dropped, and she gave me a hard look. “II betray hin won’t matter where I go. I’d be dead”
Imned to make sense of it. “Who’s behind him.”
“Don’t even think about it. Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you” She finished wrapping my leg and started packing up the first aid kit.
“You won’t get anything to eat until Forrest calms down. If you don’t want to starve, when he gets back. just do what he wants”
Before I could say anything, the door was slammed open. “Bitch, I’m gonna kill you today!” jim barged in, his head still wrapped in thick gauze.
My stomach dropped. It looked like he was here to make me pay.
