Page 41 of Caging Liberty
He faces forward as the manor pokes out above the trees up ahead. When we come to the electric fence, Sawyer punches in the code to open the small gate.
“I’ll take care of everything,” I try to assure him. “I promise. Everything will be fine.”
Sawyer throws open the gate and waves me through. He swings it shut as he steps onto the manor’s grounds, gripping my upper arm when we make eye contact.
“I trust you,” he says.
A hundred yards away is an inground pool which several scantily clad women lounge around. A speaker by the pool plays American teenage girl music … the kind that gives you an instant headache.
As we get closer, I spot Lib laid back in a chair with a mimosa resting on her thigh. The redhead we saw last night is in the chair next to her. Desiree, Lily, and Clara are huddled around a cabana table with a fruit platter in front of them.
Lib seems to be the only one to notice us as we approach. Her eyes stay trained on me, but I try not to stare. I wasn’t planning on seeing her this early, and with Desiree right there, I don’t intend on hanging out.
I nod at Lib as we walk by and am a little relieved when I get nothing in response. When Desiree sees me, however, I’m not so lucky.
“Hey,” she says, jumping out of her chair.
Sawyer glances between Desiree and Lib and gives me a knowing smirk.
She smiles politely at Sawyer. “Hi.”
“Hey, Des.” Sawyer gives her a chin lift.
Her eyes move back to me. “Could I talk to you in a bit when you’re not busy? Just sometime before you go home. It’s not that important.”
I open my mouth, an excuse as to why I can’t do that balanced on the tip of my tongue, but Sawyer cuts in.
“He’s not busy now.” Sawyer flashes his freakishly white teeth as he takes the folder from my hand. He tips it at me and backpedals a few steps toward the rear entrance. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Thanks,” I say, my lips stiffly tilted up while my eyes tell him to fuck himself.
“No problem, brother.” He spins and walks inside, but not before giving me one last shit-eating grin.
I turn to Desiree. “What’s up?”
“Why was there gunfire last night?” she whispers like it’s a secret from the others.
I flinch back a hair like I’m puzzled. “Gunfire?”
“Yeah, around two. You don’t know what I’m talking about?”
I pretend to think about it for a few seconds, scratching my temple. “It stormed last night. You probably heard thunder.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m certain it was a gun. You really don’t know?”
I shrug. “I haven’t heard anything.”
“Okay.” She glances down, nodding like she’s accepting it. Her eyes fly back to me, and her lips part. “You know I’m not trying to gossip. I’m just concerned for our safety.”
I almost snort at that.
“I know it’s against the rules to kill slaves and everything, but…” She leans in close and glances at Lib. “Honestly, I thought it might’ve been that girl.”
“Like you said, that would be against the rules.”
“Right, but—”
“You’re safe, Des. Is that all you wanted to talk about?”