Chapter 43

Nox

My shoes pounded the Georgia clay. Back and forth I paced, watching my phone: the time, Charli’s app, and Oren’s texts. The sky was dark, barely a sliver of moon lighting the expanse from the woods to the manor.

“Are you sure she can find the way?” I asked Isaac.

“It’s not difficult. You can see the lights of the manor.”

I moved to the edge of the trees. We could see it. In the distance was Montague Manor, high on a hill, ablaze with golden lighting. Even from this far away, I could make out figures as people came and went on the back patio. Each one was smaller than ants, but they were there.

My phone buzzed and I read the text.

“It’s from my dad. They have Adelaide. They’re rushing her to the airport.”

“Step one,” Isaac confirmed. “Now as long as no one at Magnolia Woods is tipped off and informs Mr. Fitzgerald.”

I shook my head. “Damn, my nerves are shot. I can do deals. I can spend millions, but tonight is almost more than I can take.”