Chapter 3 THE SNEAK.

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CHAPTER 3

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JED'S POV

I tiptoed quietly across his room, hoping he'd be asleep. Who was I kidding? Of course, he wouldn't be. Maverick has this... sixth sense. Or maybe he's just weirdly in tune with me. I don't know.

I knew sneaking out of the house was a long shot, but I had to try. Something in my chest was screaming for air-freedom. I made it down the stairs without a creak, heart pounding like a drumline. I turned the corner toward the back door-almost there-when a fist caught me in the arm.

"Boohoo, asshole! You hit like a toddler," I snapped, grabbing my shoulder. It stung like hell, but I wasn't about to let him see that.

Mave leaned against me, pressing me lightly to the wall. "Where do you think you're going, Missy?"

"Don't you know it's not proper to hit a lady?" I said, trying to defuse the tension I could already see brewing in his eyes.

"Where. Are. You. Going, Missy?" he repeated-this time slower, laced with sarcasm and an edge of anger.

"I... I was just... checking the neighborhood," I stammered. Bad move. Mave could always tell when I was lying. Maybe it's the eyes. Or maybe I just suck at lying.

"Ohh, I see. Checking the neighborhood at..."-he glanced at his watch-"2 a.m. in the mid-morning? Do I look that stupid? Don't answer that."

He ruined the sarcastic comeback I had lined up. Damn him.

"You tiptoe like an elephant," he added. "I heard every step."

His face was close now-too close. I could feel his breath on my skin, warm and steady. It tickled. Not that I'd admit that out loud.

"I wasn't trying to run off," I muttered, turning to move away.

He caught my wrist gently and pulled me back, pinning me to the wall again. His face was now just centimeters from mine. Lips almost touching. Breath mingling.

"You're such a freaking wizard," I grumbled, trying to look anywhere but his mouth. "Staying up all night like it's magic. Lying about having phobias. Don't think I've forgotten."

He grinned. "First of all, ouch. And second, I do have somniphobia. You saw the doctor's report."

"Your somebody's phobia has got to go," I replied, reaching to tickle him under the arms. "It's so weird!"

He let out a startled laugh and finally backed off. Sweet oxygen.

"Somniphobia," he corrected between chuckles. "Fear of sleeping alone-or falling asleep at all. Real thing."

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

"Back to bed, Jedi," he said, switching to his bossy voice-the one I hated and... kind of loved.

I snarled under my breath and turned back toward my room. I really needed to sneak out. I had it all planned. But now? Foiled again.

As I trudged up the stairs, still sulking, I missed a step-classic me-and slipped. My body flailed mid-air, and for a split second, I thought, Well, this is it.

But then strong arms caught me. Like always.

"Watch your steps," Mave said calmly.

I scowled at him and pulled away without a word.

I stormed into my room and collapsed onto the bed, seething.

I feel trapped.

This house is a cage.

He never lets me leave. No friends. No freedom. No life of my own. What the hell is he hiding me from? Or worse... who?

I grunted in frustration, staring at the ceiling until sleep finally dragged me under.

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I woke up late. No surprise. I needed rest after last night's disaster.

The corridor was quiet. Too quiet. I started searching for Mave-the star actor in last night's drama-but he was nowhere to be found.

I checked the clock: 10:54 a.m. The sun was already beating down like it had something to prove. Where the hell was he?

That's the third time in two weeks he's just... disappeared without saying a word.

I hate it.

Being left behind. Being ignored.

It's been three hours now. I've had two solid meals-breakfast and brunch, thank you very much-but still no sign of him.

I've called him, over and over. No answer.

When he finally walks in, he's getting a face full of fist.

Then I heard it-noise at the front door. Footsteps.

I bolted to check.

And there he was.

Covered in blood.

"Ellas te encontraron..." he said, his voice barely more than a breath. His hands trembled as he rushed to the center table in the living room, reaching beneath it.

"Wh-what? What do you mean? Who found me?"

My voice cracked. Fear crept in like ice water down my spine.

Then the door burst open.

Two men. Guns drawn.

I saw the snake symbol on their wrists-burned into my memory like fire. And just like that, I was back in the dark.

Back in the screams.

I couldn't breathe. My knees gave way. I staggered back, desperate for somewhere-anywhere-to hide.

Then I saw Mave pull a gun from beneath the table. I was frozen. In awe. In fear.

Gunshots.

Loud. Muffled. Distant.

My hearing vanished. My vision blurred.

I felt myself falling again-but this time, there were no arms to catch me.

"Jedi... Jedi!"

His voice echoed faintly in the dark.

And then-

Nothing.

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