Page 19 of Claiming Liberty
“April?” Kingsley asks, his eyes lighting up. “I know a guy named Digby Barton who just bought a slave from the manor whose name is April.”
My eyes widen. “When?”
He squints as he thinks. “Like, uh, last week maybe? I don’t know exactly. I just remember him mentioning it when I saw him a few days ago. We uh…” He twirls his finger like he wants to explain himself again. “We sometimes surf together. It’s good to get a feel for all the residents, you know?”
I take another tiny step toward him. “Is there any way you could take me to her?” I nearly drop the mug. “Please,please,I would be so grateful.”
He looks at Layan again. “I uh…”
“Please.” My eyes start to water as I consider falling down at his feet, but he seems panicked enough when he sees my tears forming.
“Of course,” Layan says, her voice low.
My head snaps her way, but she’s looking at Kingsley.
He meets my eyes. “Maybe you could ask Peter to take you?” he offers. “I don’t know how he would feel about it, so in a couple of weeks when he comes back, you could—”
“A couple weeks?” My jaw drops.
Kingsley rears back. “He didn’t tell you when he’d be back?”
“No, and I can’t wait that long.” I shake my head, feeling panic start to take hold. “Please, all I need is to—”
“Okay, hold on a second.” Kingsley holds up a hand, his posture more rigid than it was a minute ago. “What’s going on? Peter told us you would be staying here to lay low for a little while in case Sawyer got suspicious about him having a slave. What you’re asking me to do is notlaying low. Why don’t you know any of this, and why didn’t you know that Ramos gifted you to Peter? Did he…” Kingsley’s nostrils flare, and I take a step back. “Did he fucking lie to me?”
“Calm down,” Layan says, stepping close to him.
He shakes his head and takes a step back, dropping his mug which thumps on the floor, hot tea darkening a tribal-patterned rug. He’s acting likehe’safraid ofme. “Fuck, did Peterstealyou?” He presses a hand to his mouth. “Oh my fucking God, am I hiding Angel Ramos’s slave?”
“No.” I hold up my hands in an attempt to calm him down. “Not exactly.”
“Not exactly?!” His eyes bug out.
I shake my head. “He didn’t steal me from anyone.”
“Then what’s going on?” Layan asks. I turn to her, taking in her furrowed brow and crossed arms. Her tone isn’t panicked like Kingsley’s. Concerned, but not panicked.
I suck in a deep breath, buying time while I decide how much information to give, if any.
An hour ago, I wouldn’t have told them shit. I know Peter as little as I know them, but he’s the one who helped me get here. It stands to reason that I should trust him most right now…
But I don’t.
I almost want to comfort him when I peer into Kingsley’s frightened eyes. He has a boyish quality that comes off as kind, innocent, trusting.
“Angel and I are in love,” I say, letting my shoulders sag with the air rushing from my lungs.
Their eyes widen as they listen to me tell them everything, from how Angel ended up letting me go to Peter ditching me at his house last night.
“I have to get to my niece,” I say at last, finishing my ramble.
Kingsley and Layan exchange a look.
“You said Elsie is at the manor?” Layan asks me.
I nod. “As far as I’m aware.”
They exchange another look.