Chapter 4
"Dad's orders! You have to come home, even if we have to drag you there. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out there?" Lucas snapped, his tone urgent.
He didn't let me get a word in as he half-dragged, half-carried me toward the exit.
Lyra hurried after us. She looked like she wanted to help, but was too scared to actually reach out.
She stood nearby, quietly trying to persuade me, "Colette, please come back with us. Everyone's been so worried about you."
Worried? Really? Or are they just scared the whole story will grind to a halt if I'm not here?
My cheap train ticket had slipped from my grip in my struggle.
The crowd trampled it without a second thought, leaving it completely caked in dust.
My grand escape plan felt like a joke now.
It didn't even get the chance to come into fruition. The main characters had nipped it in the bud before I had the chance to do anything.
Austin's car was parked outside the train station.
It was black, and its lines were cold and angular.
It was reminiscent of Austin himself.
Lucas shoved me into the back seat, then squeezed in after me. He parked himself right by the door, making sure I had no chance of slipping out.
Lyra hesitated for a moment, then she slid into the front seat.
The inside was roomy, and the air conditioner was blasting. Yet, the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Austin didn't even bother to turn around. He watched me through the rearview mirror with his icy and piercing gaze.
"Was it fun?" Austin asked.
I ignored him and turned away, gazing out the window.
All those people milling around the train station were slipping further and further away from me.
"Sis, you seriously have no idea," Lucas whispered as he scooted over, dropping his voice low so only I could hear him.
There was a cocky little grin on his face, like he was clearly fishing for praise.
"Austin called in every favor he had just to dig up your ticket details. I swear, I nearly went blind staring at the grainy security cams in that crappy internet café!" Lucas shared.
He nudged my arm. "Why'd you try to run off? Home's way better, you know. Did Lyra mess with you again? If she did, just say the word. I'll stand up for you!"
I snapped my head around and fixed him with a glare that could kill. "Lucas, call me 'sis' one more time, and I'll jump out of this car. I mean it."
His grin froze on his face.
He saw the icy, unfamiliar look in my eyes and shrank back a little.
Finally, he shut up and scooted over to the far edge of the seat.
He muttered under his breath, "Must've woken up on the wrong side of bed today."
The car went dead silent. The only sound left was the low hum of the air-conditioner
I slumped back in my seat and closed my eyes.
Exhaustion washed over me, relentless as the tide.
The realization hit me then. I can't run away. There was simply no escape.
The car didn't head back to the Alden Villa. Instead, it headed out toward the outskirts of town and pulled up outside a quiet, tucked-away courtyard.
The place had a slate roof and whitewashed walls. It looked really charming, almost like something out of a magazine.
"Get out," Austin ordered.
I didn't move.
"Where is this place?" I probed.
"This is where you'll be staying for now," Austin said as he unbuckled his seatbelt.
"Your father isn't interested in seeing you at the moment. We owe Lyra's father an explanation too." Austin's tone was cold and detached. It was like he was just handling some troublesome business.
"You'll stay here until everything's settled," Austin said, his voice unyielding.
"I'm being placed on house arrest?" I let out a cold laugh.
"Austin, what gives you the right?" I snapped, voice icy.
He pushed the car door open.
He swung his long legs out. Then he stood outside, looking down at me through the open door, his presence looming over me.
"You hurt Lyra. That's reason enough," Austin said, his voice cold as ice.
He continued, "You tried to run. That's another reason. And right now, you don't get a say in anything."
Lyra stepped out of the car. She joined Austin, standing quietly by his side.
She glanced at me, hesitating, like she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to speak.
"Colette, this place is actually pretty nice. Maybe it'll help you calm down a bit," Lyra murmured, her voice soft and uncertain.
Lucas pulled the car door open.
"Sis, uh, I mean, Colette, come on, get out," Lucas caught himself and switched, sounding a little awkward.
"At least it's better than Dad locking you up at home, right?" he tried to make it sound like a joke.
I stayed put, refusing to move.
I gazed at the charming courtyard outside.
It was just another gilded cage.
Austin's patience ran out. He bent over and leaned inside the car. Then his hand clamped around my waist.
His grip was iron-strong. There was no way I could resist or break free.
He hauled me out of the car like I weighed nothing.
"Austin, let go of me!" I struggled desperately, trying to break free.
My nails raked across the back of his hand, leaving a trail of angry red marks.
Austin didn't even bat an eye. Without a word, he hauled me straight into the courtyard.
We passed through a gate, then walked down a quiet corridor.
Then, Austin pushed open a fancy wooden door.
It was a private suite. Everything inside was simple and elegant. It looked just like a boutique hotel suite that was adequately packed with amenities.
Austin practically threw me into the room.
"If you need anything, let the guards outside know," he said, his tone icy and authoritative.
He stood in the doorway like a sentry posted at the door, making it clear I wasn't going anywhere.
"Don't even think about running again. I will catch you every time you run, without fail. You won't be able to handle the consequences," Austin warned before closing the door in my face.
With a soft click, the lock engaged into place.
I rushed over to the door and yanked the handle as hard as I could.
It was locked tight. There was not even a millimeter of give.
I rushed over to the window, desperate for any way out, but they were sealed shut.