The sun was high over the Kingston estate, but I was currently in my room avoiding human interactions at all costs. It felt cowardly, like a rabbit hiding in its burrow while the wolf circled outside, but it was the only way to avoid running into Eric. The Blue Suite, which was supposed to be a sanctuary, now felt like a prison cell made of silk and gold leaf.

My mind was still reeling from what had happened last night in the library. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel the heat of Eric's body pressing me against that cold reading table, his breath hitching against my neck. The thought of what could have happened if Alexander Hawthorne hadn't interrupted us was a loop playing in my mind, terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Would we have had sex there and then? I knew the answer, and it made my skin flush with a heat that had nothing to do with the morning sun. Eric wouldn't have wasted a moment to claim me right there among the bookshelves. He had always been a man who took what he wanted, and last night, he wanted me with a ferocity that hadn't faded over five years. My stomach twisted as I realized that if I hadn't bolted the second Hawthorne opened that door, Eric likely would have waited for him to leave and then continued exactly where he left off.

The worst part wasn't that I was embarrassed about almost sleeping with him. It was the crushing realization of how weak I still was. After five years of building a life, of raising a son, of telling myself I was over him-one touch from Eric Kingston and I was ready to let it all happen. I would have let him take me, and I would have been super glad for the touch.

Because of this internal chaos, I had already declined Chloe's earlier request to go out for a pre-wedding spa day. I had cited a light stomachache, keeping my voice faint over the intercom. It was a pathetic lie, but it was better than telling her the truth: "Hey Chloe, I can't go out with you today. I almost fucked your uncle on your library table last night and I'm too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye."

Ring-Ring-Ring.

The sharp sound of my cellphone cut through the quiet room, making me jump. Who could be calling me? I scrambled for the device on the nightstand, hoping it wasn't Chloe calling to check on my "stomachache." Looking at the caller ID, my heart skipped a beat for a different reason. It was Sarah.

"What's up, Sarah?" I said, answering immediately. My voice was tight. "Is everything alright? Is Fin okay?"

"Ma'am," Sarah's voice came through, and it was panicky. The background noise sounded like a busy street, but her tone made my blood run cold.

"Sarah, what's going on? Talk to me," I asked, my voice etched with a sudden, sharp worry.

"Ma'am... I think we are being followed," she whispered urgently.

My heart didn't just race; it felt like it stopped entirely. "Wait! What? What do you mean you're being followed? Are you sure?"

"We went to buy some breakfast across the street from the hotel," she said, her voice shaking. "There's a black SUV that's been trailing us for three blocks. Every time I turn, they turn. A couple of men in suits... they aren't even trying to hide it anymore."

Fear, cold and jagged, tore through my body. My mind went to a thousand dark places. Was it Eleanor? Was it a rival of the Kingstons? Or was it Eric's security team, finally tracking down the secret I'd been hiding? Nothing would stop me from protecting my son. Not these walls, and certainly not the man who owned them.

"Sarah, get to the nearest crowded place. Go into a mall or a large hotel and stay in the lobby. Do not go back to the hotel yet. I'm coming to you," I commanded, already kicking off my slippers and grabbing my sneakers.

I moved with a frantic energy, throwing on simple clothing-a pair of jeans and a hoodie that allowed me to move fast. I grabbed my bag and whatever change I had left on me for a cab. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely zip my purse.

I bolted out of the suite and down the back staircase, avoiding the main hall. I reached the tall, wrought-iron gates of the estate, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. But as I reached for the pedestrian gate, two large men stepped into my path.

*******

"What do you mean I can't leave?" I shouted at the guards. I had been standing outside for the past couple of minutes, trying to reason with them, but they stood like stone pillars.

"Sorry, ma'am. Mr. Kingston gave us strict instructions not to let you leave the premises without his express permission," one of the guards answered, his voice devoid of emotion.

I felt like I was going to explode. Arrogance! The sheer, unadulterated gall of this man! "I am not a prisoner! My child's life is in danger! Let me out of these gates right now!"

They didn't budge. I realized then that I wasn't going to get past them with words. I turned back toward the main house, my eyes burning with tears of rage. I was going to find Eric. Who did he think he was? Thinking he could keep me here as a hostage while my son was being hunted in the city?

If he wanted a confrontation, he was about to get one he would never forget.

I asked a passing maid where Eric was, and she directed me toward the sunroom. I walked off, giving my thanks before she could even finish speaking. How dare he treat me in such a manner? I am not a child he can simply restrict from going out; I am a grown woman, and my son's life is currently at risk.

I didn't knock; I just barged in. At that moment, I didn't feel the need for pleasantries, but as the doors swung open and numerous pairs of judgmental eyes stared back at me, I instantly wished I had. The silence lasted for a minute at most before it was shattered by a sharp, familiar voice.

"How dare you, you street trash, walk in on a private family meeting?" a woman spat. I realized now that the room was full of people I assumed were members of the Kingston and Hawthorne families-many of whom I recognized from the dinner the night before.

"You let people like this into your home and they suddenly start acting like they own the place," someone else muttered, their ears turning red with anger at my intrusion. How dare they treat me as something less than human?.

"Honestly, I blame Eric and Chloe," Eleanor remarked, never missing a second to ridicule her brother. I searched Eric's face, looking for any sign that he was affected by their vitriol, but he maintained a bored expression, looking as though he didn't want to be there at all.

"I only came here to speak with Eric-" I tried to speak up, but Eleanor ruthlessly interrupted me again.

"Address him by his proper name. Absolutely no manners; trash like this should be kicked out," she said, waving her hands at me as if I were a waste product. I felt absolutely humiliated, a deep heat rising in my chest. I wanted to crawl away and die. But then, a sudden realization hit me: this was all Eric's fault. He was the one who refused to let me leave, and he was the one who had insisted I call him by his first name.

Before I could respond, Eric walked over to me. I felt a wave of relief; I didn't want to engage in a verbal battle against twenty people alone.

"Let's go," he whispered. I followed him out, hearing someone call after him, but Eric just waved them off, stating his presence wasn't needed anyway.

We walked until we reached the same office a few days ago. My mind recalled every heated second we had shared there as Eric locked the door. Before I could speak, he advanced toward me.

"So, it seems I am not the only one who was unhappy about last night's intrusion," he said, the air between us suddenly thick. "Eager, huh? Don't worry, I won't make you wait long," he added, caressing my hair.

"That's not why I'm here," I said, trying to shake him off.

"Then what did you come for?" he asked, his lips grazing my neck and shoulders.

"I want to leave," I stated firmly. He pulled back instantly to look at me. "I was told I couldn't leave without your permission. That's what the guards said."

"And what is so important that you want to leave so badly?" he asked, returning his touch to me. I knew lying was useless. If I wanted to get out of those gates, I needed his trust-or at least his cooperation.

"I want to see my nephew," I blurted out.

Eric recoiled as if I were made of acid. The sudden distance made me ache. "Your nephew? He is here in London?" Eric asked, surprise tinging his voice.

"Yes, and I think he is in danger," I said, trying to keep my voice steady and honest. He stared at me for what felt like hours before he finally answered.

"No," he said, his tone cooling and devoid of warmth.

"What?" I was floored.

"You heard me. I know this is just an excuse for you to run away again," he accused.

I couldn't take it any longer. Every logical sense of fear or pride was replaced by undiluted desperation for my baby. I dropped to my knees, clutching at his pants leg.

"Please, Eric, I beg of you! I promise I am not seeing anyone else," I sobbed, the tears mixing with snot as I held onto him. "You can send someone with me. I just need to move them to a different hotel. If not for me, then for the times we shared... I would do anything for him to be safe". It was a shameless, disgraceful move, but my son's life mattered more than my pride.

******

After I had cried for what felt like an eternity, Eric finally agreed-on the condition that he came with me. Panic flared; I had to find a way to prevent him from seeing Finlay's face.

We took his helicopter, a journey that sent me spiraling down memory lane, though I forced myself to stay focused on the present. When we reached the hotel, I hurried out, practically barreling past the guards.

Inside, the room was a complete mess. My heart dropped into my stomach, and my feet felt like lead. This couldn't be happening. I collapsed into Eric's arms, sobbing as I pulled out my phone to try the number one last time.

Then, I heard it-a familiar ringing coming from behind the bathroom door. I bolted toward it, but Eric tackled me back.

"Autumn, are you insane? What if it's a trap?" he hissed.

"Sarah! If you're in there, it's me! I'm here! Open up!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

The door creaked open. Sarah stood there, tears streaming down her face, shielding Finlay in her arms. I found a surge of strength I didn't know I possessed, pushed Eric off me, and ran to hug them both.

****

One thing was certain: they weren't safe. I wanted to fight Eric on where to take them, but I was simply too exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the day to resist any longer.