“I’m sorry. That’s what your dad said.” Soph paused. “Please come home, Kaley. I don’t want any more people to die.”
“I don’t either.”
“Come home.”
“I have to go.”
I quickly hung up the phone.
My mind was immediately in a tailspin. I felt dizzy as Vince came into the bedroom and made some joke about showering. I could barely pay attention as I rocked Alexei in my arms and Vince left for the day.
They said I could come home, but if I did that, I could never see Vince again. And we were just starting to become close. My feelings for him were just starting to become clear. Ever since last night, I knew what I wanted from him, knew that I wanted him to become the father to my son. He was so good with Alexei, and Alexei clearly liked Vince. My son needed a father.
But if I were allowed back into the family, then Alexei would have plenty of fathers to look out for him. And most importantly, the war would end.
As soon as Vince was gone, I paced around the room. I couldn’t leave Vince, but I couldn’t let the war keep going if I could stop it.
“Fuck,” I said out loud, and little Alexei looked up at me.
Alexei. All of this was for him. As much as I wanted Vince, I knew that Alexei would be safe back with my family and that he’d have a good life. This war could put him in danger if I let it keep going on.
Soph had promised me they’d keep him safe, and I believed her.
“Fuck,” I said again, but more softly.
I had made up my mind. I was going to leave. I was going back to my parents.
I was going to end the war. For my sake, for Vince’s sake, but most importantly, for Alexei’s sake.
Now the real problem was figuring out how the hell I was going to do it.
Alexei was squirming in my arms as I knocked on the door. She answered surprisingly fast.
“Hi, Louisa,” I said.
“You brought a baby,” she commented flatly.
“Louisa, this is Alexei, my son.”
She looked at Alexei. “Hi there, baby.”
“Listen, Louisa, can I talk to you for a second?”
“Okay.” She turned and walked into her room. I followed, shutting the door behind us.
“I want to leave,” I said simply.
She stopped walking toward her computer and turned back toward me. She cocked her head to one side. “Because of what I showed you?”
“Partially, yes.”
“Will you be safe?”
“Yes. I think so.”
She frowned. “Sound more sure.”
“I’ll be safe. My best friend from home told me that my family would take me back. She said they’d let me keep Alexei.”
Louisa frowned but nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll help you escape.”
“Escape?” I said, laughing. “I’m not a prisoner, am I?”
“Of course you are,” she said. “But don’t worry. This house is mine.”
She walked over to her computer and began typing. That black screen covered in text came back, and she began scrolling through it, typing occasionally.
“Okay,” I said, laughing nervously. “How am I escaping then?”
“In thirty minutes there’s a produce delivery van pulling up next to the kitchen. In forty minutes, you’ll be on that van.”
“That’s too soon,” I said.
“Next shot won’t be until tomorrow.”
I chewed my lip nervously. If I waited until tomorrow, I’d have to spend another night with Vince.
And if I saw him again, I didn’t think I’d be strong enough to leave.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
“The guy that drives the van is an associate of mine,” Louisa said. “He brings things in and out of the house for me. You’ll get into the back of the van and sit down. He will pretend like you don’t exist.”
“Okay,” I said. “Easy.”
“When the van stops and the doors open, you’re free to go.”
“What do I do from there?”
She gave me a look. “Get on a bus.”
I laughed. “Okay. Okay. I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be,” she said and looked at me directly for the first time since I’d walked into the room. “I’m the most powerful person in this house.”
I nodded and felt strangely better.
She looked away. “The van will be outside the kitchen in twenty-eight minutes. You better hurry.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Go.”
I turned and walked quickly out of the room.
I practically ran down the halls. I tore into Vince’s room and quickly threw my things into a single bag. I took only what I was going to need and then shoved Alexei’s things into his baby bag.
I threw the stuff onto my back and then walked quickly back out into the hall.
My heart was hammering as I made my way downstairs and toward the kitchens. I knew the way only because I had followed the staff there once when I was out exploring a few days ago. I was worried someone was going to stop me and ask me why I was carrying two bags plus Alexei, but nobody bothered to.
Maybe nobody gave a shit if I left. More likely they assumed I was allowed to do whatever I was doing.