I didn't stop running until the woods opened up and the Croften estate was a speck behind me.
My legs ached. My chest burned. Every breath felt like shards in my lungs, but I couldn't stop. Not yet. Not until I was somewhere safe. Somewhere, he couldn't find me.
Somewhere, they couldn't drag me back.
And so, there was only one place left I could go, even though I'd put his safety at risk.
Dan's.
I took the longest route, avoiding the main roads. I doubled back three times. Hid behind a wall when I thought I saw a Kensington security car glide by. My heart wouldn't calm down-not even when I saw the familiar rusted gate and yellow hibiscus flowers lining the path up to his door.
My fingers trembled as I knocked.
The door opened a second later.
Dan stood there, shirtless, holding a cu
