The Scotch Series: The Complete Series (Scotch #1-3) - Penelope Sky Page 0,42

way I could get down was if I crawled along the grooves of the stones. It was dangerous and borderline stupid. There was grass at the bottom instead of concrete, but it was still so far of a fall that I would probably break something.

In the back of my mind, I heard Crewe’s warning. If I tried to escape and failed, there would be serious consequences. I knew the threat was sincere, and I would seriously pay for my actions. I could chicken out and return to the bedroom. Or I could continue forward and hope for the best.

I had to get out of here.

I threw my legs over the edge and slowly began to descend, digging my nails into the grooves over the stones to hold my weight up. Within a minute, my skin began to burn at the contact. The exertion caused me to sweat. I gritted my teeth as I moved down, refusing to look at the ground and risk losing my footing.

I was halfway to the bottom when I heard the shouts.

“Find her!” Crewe’s terrifying voice echoed across the courtyard, reaching my ears even though he was clear on the other side of the property.

Shit.

I glanced down and knew I still had a way to go, but I didn’t have time to take it slow. I had to jump and hope for the best. After I took a deep breath, I let go.

I landed on the grass and rolled, coming out of my fall without any broken bones. My joints ached at the momentum my body felt against the earth, but that was nothing compared to how bad it could have been.

Flashlights erupted throughout the castle, in windows and on balconies, followed by irritated voices.

I had to get out of there.

I sprinted through the courtyard and headed for the trees, my heart beating so fast it threatened to burst. My feet struck the earth loudly, but I kept going, needing to break the tree line. Once I was in the wild with the trees and meadows, I could hide until they finally gave up. They may be patient, but I was determined.

“There’s that little bitch!” Dunbar flashed his light on my shoulder, catching me in my sprint.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I shifted my body into gear and ran as hard as I could. Being cooped up on Fair Isle hindered my stamina. I was in pretty good shape before I left New York, on my feet all day at the hospital. But my fitness level had taken a serious hit.

That didn’t stop me.

“Here!” Dunbar’s voice was terrifying because it was so loud. He was close by, just yards behind me.

I wasn’t going to make it.

But I couldn’t give up just yet. I would never give up.

I broke through the tree line and kept running, finally reaching the highlands. It was dark in the wilderness, the moonlight not enough to direct me. But even if I had a flashlight, I couldn’t use it.

I knew I couldn’t outrun Dunbar. He was in too good of shape.

I had to hide.

I sprinted past a tall tree and dug my feet into the earth as I stopped. Without thinking twice about it, I ran up the trunk and grabbed a thick branch. I hoisted myself up, ignoring the splinters of wood that impaled my palms, and kept going. I climbed as far as I could before the branches thinned out and couldn’t hold my weight.

Then I sat there, trying not to breathe loudly. These guys weren’t just average men. They worked for Crewe, so they were worth their salt. It shouldn’t be hard to figure out where I was.

But I could get lucky.

Dunbar’s voice was far too close for my liking. “She’s hiding. Probably in one of these trees.”

Goddammit.

Lights flashed everywhere as a dozen men walked around my location, shining their flashlights up neighboring trees and bushes. Dunbar’s heavy boots crunched against the grass as he came close to my hiding place.

Blood pounded in my ears as I gripped the tree branch I was perched on. I wasn’t going to get away, and I would have to suffer Crewe’s cruel punishment. My imagination ran wild and utterly terrified me.

Dunbar walked to the bottom of the tree, right in my line of sight. I could see his thick silhouette with his flashlight pointed to the ground. Then he turned and pointed the light upward right at me.

His smile could be heard in his voice. “Gotcha.”

All the hope drained from my body. I felt defeated,