Fated Lies (Lies #3) - Ella Miles Page 0,22

touches the stone, I grip on hard and dig my feet into tiny grooves below.

My entire body is pressed against the cool stone, which helps to keep me from sweating and losing my grip.

“Nice job,” Langston says with relief in his voice.

I tilt my head to look at him.

“Don’t look down,” he says.

I smile. “Why? You’re the one who’s afraid of heights, not me.”

“Just focus. I’ll help tell you where your next handhold and foothold is.” His voice is stern and commanding, which only makes me smile brighter.

I look up, but all I see is an endless amount of stone bricks. There are no other large pieces of stone sticking out like this one. My handholds are going to get smaller and smaller going up.

I grit my teeth together, determined to reach the window. I’ll find a way to get Langston out. I won’t leave the stubborn asshole. I won’t let anyone else hurt him; that’s my job.

I start to reach up with my right hand to find the next handhold.

“A little to your left,” Langston says.

I move my hand to the left.

“There.”

I feel the hole. It’s not much to hold onto. I lift my other hand.

“A little higher,” I hear Langston’s calm voice.

I move an inch higher until I find a crevice. I take a deep breath, and then I let go of the ledge and push myself up to my new handholds.

“Good job. Take a deep breath and then move again. You got this, Liesel.”

I laugh. “Did you turn into a cheerleader?”

“The kids play all sorts of sports and dance recitals. It’s just my dad cheerleader in me coming out,” he chuckles.

God, what I wouldn’t do to see Langston on the sidelines of his kids’ soccer game, cheering them on like a regular dad. My heart melts.

As I cling to the side of the tower fifteen feet up in the air, I realize that I won’t kill Langston. I have to protect him even though he’s failed to protect me. I won’t let any more kids grow up fatherless. His kids need him. And I need to get us out of here so he can go protect them.

I take a deep breath, more determined to reach the window.

I reach up faster this time than the last.

“Take your time; there’s no rush.”

I purse my lips and breathe out as I reach another handhold and then foothold. I hoist myself up.

I can hear Langston let out an audible breath when I pull myself up now at least twenty feet up in the air, but a good five to ten feet away from the top.

I can do this. I can reach the top.

I start to reach up, trying to find a handhold big enough that I can cling to. After testing a couple of spots, I can’t find one big enough to get a grip.

“Try an inch higher if you can.”

I reach higher, but the one Langston suggested is just as small as the rest.

“Climb back down and we can think of a new plan. Those holds are too small.”

I hear Langston’s voice, but I refuse to believe it. There isn’t another way out. This is the only way. And we have to get out, for Langston’s kids’ sakes.

I refuse to give up so quickly. I reach up, take a deep breath, and pull myself up.

Somehow, I’m still holding onto the wall, but as I reach up again, I can cling onto the wall no longer. I’m going to fall.

No, I’m falling.

My nails try to dig into the wall as my body drops down, but it’s no use. For a second before I hit the ground, it’s freeing. Maybe this is how I’ll die, trying to save a man whom I care about more than I’ll ever admit out loud? I’ll die fast and swift. That’s too much to hope for. More than likely, I’ll break a leg, an arm, a rib.

I close my eyes, relenting myself to my fate.

Suddenly I hit a soft lump instead of the stone floor.

“Oof,” Langston says as I land on top of him.

I blink rapidly, not believing I’m still alive, let alone uninjured after that fall.

Then I look down at Langston beneath me. “Langston!” I shout as I roll off of him.

His eyes are closed as he lies on his back. I hold my hand over his chest. It rises and falls—he’s still breathing.

“Langston Pearce, wake up right now!” I yell at him; my voice erratic and terrified.

I try to check him over without moving