Victor collected Anne fifteen minutes later, wearing a blue fleece hoodie and matching sweatpants. She’d also changed into a gray running suit.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” she answered, her stomach in knots.
He escorted her down the long, spiral staircase toward the front entryway, where he had another guard posted. The man was sitting down and reading a girly magazine.
“Enjoying yourself, Nigel?” asked Victor, his lips twitching.
Nigel stood up quickly and his face became flush when he saw Anne beside Victor. “Yes, I mean no,” he replied, hiding the magazine behind his back. “Going somewhere, sir?”
“We’re going for a walk,” said Victor, putting his arm around Anne’s shoulders. “We shouldn’t be gone too long. Hold the fort down for us?”
“Of course. Would you like an escort?” he asked.
Victor’s
