Cassie stared out of the car window as the landscape changed from city towers to open skies and winding coastlines. She hadn’t asked where they were going. Luke hadn’t offered details either. After the media chaos and her public outburst, he’d simply told her, “You need air. We both do.”
Now they were nearing the ocean.
The road curved, hugging a steep cliff. Waves crashed below. The air felt cleaner here. Calmer.
Luke finally slowed in front of a set of high iron gates. Beyond them stretched a long driveway lined with pine trees. At the end was a secluded, modern beach house perched right on the edge of the sea.
He parked and got out, walking around to open her door. She stepped out hesitantly, boots crunching against gravel.
“You own this?” she asked quietly.
Luke nodded. “My escap
