Page 41 (1/2)

“Go,” he ordered For the second time, she followed him without question, a hunched sprint down the hall One doortwothree…a sharp turn and they were in the office Peirce closed the door behind theh he uns

He opened the doors to the garden carefully, staying low and taking in the scene She couldn’t see anyone, but that didn’tfrom fear and worry

“Re the wall”

She nodded once, hoping she could keep it together He ushered her out and she did as he ordered, pressing herself against the stone, praying no one had seen her Peirce was there a half second later

“Good girl,” heover the top of the wall once “Let’s go”

They leapfrogged their way through the garden, keeping the stone wall between them and the men at the front of the house At each break in the wall, each place where a gravel pathway interrupted their safe escape, E her ahead of him

She could hear shouting fro as theherself to care Her father had brought it on hiacy

They were alround If the entle hill, she and Peirce would be spotted instantly Judging by the wry grin on his face, he knew that too

“I’ll distract thee”

“No”

“Daet you the time you need!”

She grasped his hand, knowing he could feel her touch through his gloves “You’re not dying for me”

He gritted his teeth and scowled at her “I don’t intend to die,” he said, deliberately e job if you’re in danger Understand?”

“How do I know you aren’t going to rush thee?”

He growled so under his breath, but she didn’t back down She didn’t care if thebehind the wall He needed to be safe