Brandon's POV
The fire escape!
You've got to be kidding me.
Chloe's voice sliced the silence clean in half. Her jaw dropped. Her face fell.
For someone who acted fearless, the terror in her eyes now was unmistakable. She leaned against the window rail, staring down like the ground had turned into an ocean of fire.
"My room," I started, half-smiling, trying to sound convincing, "has a tall window with glass slides. Opens out to a metal platform and staircase. It leads straight to the garden, near the garage. Totally safe. Kinda perfect for sneaking out."
Chloe blinked at me like I'd just suggested jumping off a cliff.
The sun outside was sharp and bright, but the breeze carried that mild chill that made the city hum feel far away. Every sound — the faint hum of cars, a dog barking somewhere — reminded me everyone else in the house was inside. Safe. Boring. Clueless.
But not us.
