Mountain Man's Accidental Surprise - K.C. Crowne Page 0,42

wall. “Where the fuck is she?”

“I— dammit, Graham! I don’t know. I didn’t think she would sneak out the window,” he said, his voice calm. “Why would she? It was my duty to make sure no one was coming into the place to get her, not to keep her here. These windows can only be opened from the inside and we’re two stories up.”

“So what? You’re saying she climbed down the fucking tree and left on her own?”

“I’m saying that’s the only way that could have happened. Mason is keeping an eye on the feed.”

My eyes fell on something on my desk. I dropped my brother and walked slowly over to the pile of papers. It was a note. I opened it and read it to myself.

Graham,

You weren’t honest with me. I can’t blame you completely. We hardly know each other. And that’s why I must leave. I wasn’t completely honest with you either, and I don’t know who I can trust right now except for myself.

I’m sorry, but I won’t be fooled again. I just can’t risk it.

Goodbye.

Emmy

Fooled? What the hell? I had no earthly idea what she was talking about. But then I saw it. The letter was placed on copies of checks I’d written to my half-brother, Jack.

“She couldn’t have gotten far. The gate isn’t up, and Mason is watching the video feed,” Sam reiterated. “And she doesn’t have a car.”

“Talk to Mason. See if he can find her on the cameras,” I said. I headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Sam asked.

“I’m going to find her.”

“And what if she doesn’t want to come back? You can’t force her to stay.”

No, I couldn’t force her, but I wasn’t going to let her leave.

Emilia

We have people everywhere, Emilia. Even in Liberty, the last message I got from Antonio read.

My heart stopped. I’d received the message right before making my escape. It had crossed my mind that maybe I should stay, but part of me wondered…what if Graham and his brothers were connected to Antonio?

No, Emilia, that’s crazy. It’s absurd. Even if they are involved in illegal activities - which you don’t know for sure - to think they could work with someone like Antonio… no. No way. I kept telling myself that, but I knew I could only trust myself.

If Graham was acting, he was damn good at it. He’d also made a convincing stripper, I reminded myself.

I felt like I was losing my mind. I couldn’t figure out what to do.

But the truth was, I didn’t know Graham and his brothers well enough to trust them with my life and the life of my child. I just didn’t. The copies of the checks to Jack was enough proof of that.

I’d dug through Graham’s closet for something I could wear. There wasn’t much - most of his pants were out of the question for sure. I had hips and thighs, but he was massive, and they’d fall right off of me, even with a belt. There was nothing in there. I went to the dresser.

The first one was filled with boxers and socks. I grabbed a pair of socks and closed it. Then I moved to the next one and hit the jackpot.

I grabbed a pair of grey sweatpants with a tie around the waist. I slipped them on, tightening the string until it couldn’t tighten anymore. They were still fairly loose, but they’d have to do. I picked up the sweatshirt he’d loaned me and replaced the shirt I was wearing - the dirty one I had worn the day before - and wore Graham’s sweatshirt instead. It went down to my knees and made me feel so safe and warm - just like his arms had.

I’d swallowed the lump in my throat and gathered my dirty clothes. I’d opened the bedroom door, and as he promised, Sam was right outside.

“Hey there,” Sam said, standing.

“Hey, sorry to bother you, but you offered to wash my clothes for me?”

“Of course,” he said. “I’m happy to.”

“Thank you,” I said, handing the clothes to him. “I appreciate it, Sam. I’m going to get some rest, so I may be asleep when you get back.”

“I’ll be right downstairs, and only for a second. Mason has an eye on the cameras, watching the front door and this hallway, so if you need anything, just wave or call out.”

“I think I’ll be fine, but thank you,” I said with a small smile.

I watched as Sam walked down the hallway, and then I