C98 No Running

The warm glow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the orchard, but Annabelle’s heart felt cold and heavy as the weight of the guard’s words settled over her.

The lightheartedness of the day vanished in an instant and was instantly replaced by a suffocating dread that made her vision blur.

She swayed on her feet, steadying herself against the car as a cold sweat prickled her skin.

Her first thought was, “Tad is back.”

The mere idea sent her into a spiral of panic.

Her lungs tightened, and her pulse raced like a caged bird slamming against its bars.

Her vision narrowed as she fought the overwhelming urge to grab Cathy and run.

Anywhere as far from Stoneraine as possible would be the ideal destination.

But then her gaze landed on Cathy trying to get one of the men into a conversation.

The sight of her sister, so blissfully unaware of the danger looming, anchored Annabelle.

Her legs steadied, and she swallowed the rising lump in her throat.

Running wasn’t an option anymore.

She’d promised herself she wouldn’t run again.

“Cathy,” Annabelle called, her voice shaking slightly despite her best efforts to sound calm.

She crouched down as her sister approached, forcing a smile. “We’re leaving now, sweetheart. Let’s pack up.”

Cathy tilted her head, her expression puzzled. “Already? We just started having fun.”

Annabelle placed her hands gently on Cathy’s small shoulders. “I know, but we can do this again soon. Okay?”

Cathy frowned but nodded, trusting her sister’s judgment. “Okay.”

As Cathy moved to gather her things, Annabelle’s gaze darted to the men's leader, who was standing a few steps away, watching her closely.

His pale blue eyes met and held hers for a moment as they seemed to bore into her like they were trying to gauge her thoughts.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said quietly.

Annabelle straightened, smoothing her sweater. “It’s nothing. We need to go back now.”

He didn’t look convinced. “Your mother didn’t look threatened by the man, if that helps. Upset, maybe. But not scared.”

“Of course, she wouldn’t be.” Annabelle bit the inside of her cheek.

Her mother would probably be thrilled to see Tad again.

The thought made her stomach churn.

Annabelle knew Mauve had been yearning for Tad’s return.

And now that Annabelle had dared to stand up to her?

Even more so.

Now, with him back, Mauve would likely relish the chance to use him against her.

To keep Cathy under their control.

Never mind that Tad had brutalised them both.

Never mind the scars that would never fully heal.

Her grip on the picnic basket tightened as she climbed into the car.

She immediately regretted her decision to leave her gun at home today.

She could only imagine what Angelo would say right now.

Cathy chattered beside her, oblivious to the storm raging within Annabelle.

She caught the man’s eyes looking at her through the rearview mirror, and she gave him a pensive smile.

She realised she didn’t even know his name.

“Sorry, I didn’t ask before. What’s your name, please?” she asked, her tone lighter this time, though her heart still pounded against her ribcage.

She needed anything to take her mind off what she was going home to meet.

“Rio,” he replied simply.

Cathy perked up. “Like the city?”

A small smile tugged at Rio’s lips. “Exactly like the city. My mom loved it so much, she named her firstborn after it.”

Annabelle glanced at him curiously. “Your mom must’ve been quite the traveller.”

“She’s something else,” Rio admitted. “I’ve got five sisters, too. She always says we’re the only adventure she needs now.”

Annabelle couldn’t help but chuckle softly, despite the tension clawing at her chest. “Five sisters? That must be... lively.”

“You have no idea,” Rio replied with a faint grin.

For a moment, the normalcy of their conversation soothed her frayed nerves.

She found herself wondering about the lives of these men who shadowed her every move.

They weren’t just faceless guards meant to wait on her.

They had families, people who cared about them.

But the moment of calm was fleeting.

As the car turned down the familiar dirt road leading back to her house, a knot of fear twisted in Annabelle’s stomach again.

The faint hum of the tyres on the gravel seemed louder, more ominous as if signalling what awaited them.

“Stop the car,” Annabelle said abruptly.

Rio’s brows knit together in confusion, but he motioned for the driver to comply. Annabelle stepped out, the cool evening air brushing against her skin.

She turned to Rio, gesturing for him to join her a few steps away from the car.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice low but steady.

Annabelle took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she met his gaze. “I need you to promise me something, Rio.”

He frowned but nodded. “What is it?”

“No matter what happens when we get back,” she began, her voice firm, “You will make sure Cathy gets out of there safely. Take her to Dante. Don’t let anyone stop you. Can you promise me that?”

Rio hesitated, his gaze searching hers. “Nothing’s going to happen while we’re around. You have my word.”

“That’s not good enough,” Annabelle said, her voice rising slightly.

She took a step closer, her eyes blazing with determination. “Promise me she will get out. No matter what.”

For a moment, Rio studied her, the faint lines of his face softening.

Finally, he nodded. “I promise.”

Annabelle exhaled shakily, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

Then, squaring her stance, she added, “I need a gun.”

Rio’s eyes widened. “What?”

“You heard me,” Annabelle said, her tone unwavering. “I know you’ve got more than one on you right now. Lend it to me.”

“Miss…”

“I don’t care about the rules or if you have to call Dante for permission,” she interrupted. “I’m not walking into that house unarmed. So either you give me a gun, or I will find another way.”

Rio hesitated and looked torn for a moment.

She expected him to pull out his phone to call his dear boss, but then he seemed to come to a decision as he looked at her determined face.

His hand hovered near the holster at his hip before he finally pulled out a small pistol and held it out to her.

“Be careful,” he said quietly.

Annabelle took the weapon and the feel of the cool metal pressing against her palm steadied her more.

She nodded, her jaw set with resolve.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

As they returned to the car, Annabelle’s mind raced.

The house loomed in the distance, its silhouette dark against the dusky sky.

Whatever awaited her there, she wasn’t going to face it unprepared.

“There would be no running this time,” she vowed.