Hazel's Pov
He held my hand as we made our way back to the villa. Strangely, he had been unusually quiet ever since we woke, only speaking a few words here and there. Aside from greeting me and mentioning his plan to head back, he hadn't said much at all.
As the silence stretched while we walked deeper into the woods, I couldn't help but wonder what was bothering him. Did I say something wrong yesterday? Did I somehow upset him? Why did it feel like he was deliberately keeping his distance from me?
"We're almost there. Just keep up, and we'll be fine," he finally said, breaking the long silence. That was it? After over an hour of walking? This man was impossible to read. Still, I couldn't deny that curiosity and unease weighed on me. Would the villa truly be safe? Or were we just walking into another trap? Colton looked so sure of himself, though—and I didn't have the heart to destroy the little hope he was holding onto.
Truth be told, I had no better idea of where to go. I was simply following his lead, but the thought of what might happen if the villa turned out to be unsafe gnawed at me.
"Are you sure Liam's men won't find us there?" I finally asked, voicing the fear circling in my chest.
"We'll see when we get there. For now, it's the only place that makes sense. We can't keep hiding in the cave forever," he answered, his tone thoughtful.
Maybe he was right. But part of me preferred the cave—it meant we didn't have to ignore each other, and we had to stay close to keep warm. My cheeks heated at the memory, and I quickly shook my head to chase it away. The last thing I needed right now was to dwell on last night.
Just then, Colton glanced at me, his sharp eyes narrowing when he noticed my flushed cheeks. He stopped abruptly. "What's wrong?" he asked, reaching out to place his hand against my forehead.
My heart skipped, pounding far too quickly. I bit my bottom lip. "It's nothing. Just the heat… We've been walking under the sun for too long," I muttered, praying he wouldn't press further.
He studied me a moment longer before nodding. "Then let's rest for a bit. We'll continue after you've recovered." He led me to a wide tree, and we sat on its thick roots, its shade offering relief from the heat.
"Tell me when you're ready to move again," he said gently. I gave a small nod.
Looking around at the dense forest, I thought about how strange life had become. Just a week ago, I was nothing more than a lifeless ornament to Liam, never even imagining escape. Yet here I was now—running for my life through the wilderness, clinging to survival. The most unexpected part? I wasn't alone. I was with Colton, Liam's brother of all people.
I stole a glance at him. His eyes were closed, his brow slightly furrowed, his expression heavy with thought. I knew instantly he was troubled.
I cleared my throat softly. "What are you thinking about?" I asked, staring at him intently, trying to read his face.
He opened his eyes and met my gaze. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he finally spoke. "About how to get you safe—far away from Liam."
I tilted my head. "But I thought the villa was supposed to be the safe place. So why are you still doubting? Shouldn't you be planning our next steps from there?"
He let out a sigh, leaning back against the tree. "You're right, but I can't ignore the possibility that it might not be safe. I need other options too."
"And what have you thought of so far? Are you considering going back to the cave?" I asked.
His eyes flicked open in surprise before his lips curved into a faint smile. "You really think the cave would be safer?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. You're the one talking about alternatives."
He chuckled softly, his laughter warm and surprisingly comforting. "Not a bad suggestion. Maybe I'll make that plan B," he teased. Then, more gently, "How are you feeling now?"
"Better," I admitted, standing up as he did the same. The brief rest had helped, though hunger and thirst still gnawed at me, and my body still ached from yesterday's escape.
Not long after, we finally reached the villa. Stepping inside the living room, we scanned the place carefully. Everything seemed still… abandoned, almost eerily so.
"That doesn't feel right," I muttered under my breath.
His expression hardened immediately, his jaw tight. "We need to leave," he said sharply, grabbing my hand before I could respond. He pulled me out of the villa in a rush, running so fast that I couldn
't even form the words to ask what was happening.