Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

ANI

The attic. There is something in the attic. Before I explore the rest of the mansion, I’m going to rule out whatever sounds I hear upstairs as being animal rather than monster or ghost. I’ve faced far scarier things than this in my life. I’m not a chicken, I’m not weak, and I’m sure as hell not going to play damsel in distress for another second.

I climb the narrow stairway to the attic, my heart pounding. For weeks, I’ve heard bumps and thuds coming from up here, and I’ve been too scared to investigate. But tonight, I gather the courage to see what’s causing the noise.

As I reach the top, I push open the door and step inside. I expect to see dust and cobwebs, but instead, the attic is impeccably clean. Twinkling lights cast a dim glow, and as I approach, I see wall-to-wall video screens and surveillance equipment. It looks like a high-level CIA operative room. Not an attic.

The interior is completely unexpected. Instead of the cluttered, dusty space that I have expected, it’s clean and well organized. Rows of video screens line the walls, each one showing a different view of the mansion. Someone is definitely using this space as a surveillance room.

As I a step closer, I notice the screens show security footage from every room in a massive office building, as well as Olympus Manor. Since these monitors are in the Godwin mansion, I can only assume what I see is Medusa Enterprises. It’s like the employees are being watched by someone, or something .

But that’s not the strangest thing. There’s a bed in the corner, neatly made with crisp white sheets. A leather chair sits in front of the screens, as if someone has been spending a lot of time up here and wants to be comfortable. Little touches make the space feel almost whimsical, like the twinkle lights strung up around the beams, or hanging plants in the furthest corners of the room by the window.

It appears as if someone is living in the attic and has done so for some time. I’m about to turn and leave when there’s a scrape behind me. I spin around to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It’s a man, tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s dressed in all black, and although I can’t see all of him clearly, something about him feels dangerous.

“Who are you?” My voice shakes despite my best efforts to keep it steady.

The man steps forward into the light, a small scowl playing at his lips. “Hello, Ani.”

My heart stutters. I recognize him. He’s Phoenix Godwin. I only met him briefly at my sister’s wedding and couldn’t tell you a thing about him other than rumors I heard growing up on Heathens Hollow. Rumors that were far from good. Our meeting was so brief, I’m surprised he even knows my name.

But why is he here, living in the attic? I have a feeling that I don’t want to stick around to find out. I’ve invaded his space, and something tells me he’s a man who hands out consequences like Santa does gifts.

“I’m going to go now.” I try to keep my voice steady. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you, I heard noise and?—”

The man’s scowl intensifies. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet. You’re still recovering.”

I’m surprised he knows about my recovery, but then I glance at the monitors and see that one of them is of my guest room. Every inch of my room is visible on that screen.

He can see me sleeping.

He can see me dressing every day.

Oh, Jesus Christ— He can see me undressing .

“You’ve been watching me?” I can’t process the feelings swirling in my mind. Are they shock or… rage? My privacy has been— What the fuck?

Why would he watch me? And for how long?

What the hell is happening up here in this attic?

I turn and flee, my heart pounding. I don’t know what’s going on in this house, or why anyone would think it’s all right to watch me without my knowledge. I am a guest, but nothing about this is right.

I race downstairs and out of the attic, wishing I could make my feet move faster. I need to get out of here as fast as I can. My bare feet are pounding against the floor as I pelt down the hallway. Phoenix’s footsteps slap down behind me, getting closer and closer. I don’t know if he’s trying to catch me or just following me, but either way, I’m not looking over my shoulder or slowing down to find out.

Once I reach the bottom of the stairway, I burst through the front door, running out into the night. The cold air is a slap to the face, and the cold muscles in my legs threaten to seize as I run across the lawn. I don’t know where I’m going, but I don’t care. I just need to get as far away from that mansion as possible.

I run until my lungs are burning and my knees feel like they’re about to buckle. Finally, I collapse on the ground, panting and shaking. I’ve spent too much time in bed, and my body is reminding me of this. I’m also barefoot, and I’m grateful I’ve been running on grass, so I haven’t chewed up the bottoms of my feet with gravel.

I don’t know what’s happening, but I can’t just leave the property without shoes. The sane part of my brain is now kicking in, telling me that my phone, and what few belongings I do have, are in the house. I can’t even catch a ride back to the trailer, as I have zero money on me. Scared or not, I can’t be reckless and think a solution will be out here waiting for me.

Taking a few deep and calming breaths, I stand and head back to the house. Yes, Godwins are known for being dangerous. Phoenix might be crazy, but I seriously doubt he will hurt me.

Correction, he is crazy if he’s living in an attic watching televisions all day and night.

But if he wanted to hurt me, he would have already. He’s had the opportunity since we’ve been alone in the mansion together. I’m being ridiculous thinking he’ll kill me or something. I completely overreacted and now feel really stupid as I have to reenter the house with my tail between my legs, because I truly have no way of leaving right now.

Luckily, he’s not waiting in the foyer as I enter. I hope he’s returned to the attic and will stay there until I figure out a way to leave. I make my way back to the room I was staying in, my heart still racing. I can’t believe what just happened. I am being watched.

I close the bedroom door behind me and lean against it, trying to catch my breath. I scan the room for the hidden camera, but I don’t see any place it could be.

Is he watching me right now?

Of course he’s watching me right now.

I cower in the room’s corner to stay out of sight as I try to come up with a plan. I have no money, no car, and no way to reach the Eastside of Heathens Hollow. I consider calling my sister, but it’s late, and I don’t want to bother her with this right now. It could put her in an awkward situation. Phoenix is her brother-in-law. Maybe she knows he is staying here. But no way does she know he’s recording me. She wouldn’t allow that to happen without me knowing. But for the present, I don’t feel like pulling her into my shit—again. Especially not in the middle of the night.

But as I think about it, a nagging thought takes hold. Something about this situation doesn’t add up. Why would Phoenix be living in the attic, spying on everyone in the house? At Medusa Enterprises? This is his house, too. Why not sleep in one of the large bedrooms? Why not walk around the house freely? Why has there been zero mention of Phoenix living in Olympus unless no one knows? Is he hiding in the attic?

Sitting on the bed, trying to think, I search the room, looking for any signs of surveillance equipment. And sure enough, I find it. A hidden camera is tucked away in the corner of the room behind some crown molding. It’s too high for me to reach and somehow disable.

Disgust washes over me. I’ve been watched this entire time, and I had no idea. But now that I know, I have to find a way to never spend another night in this room. I can’t stay here any longer, not with Phoenix watching my every move.

I gather my things, packing as quickly as I can. I don’t know where I’m going or how, but I must leave. Maybe I can hitchhike? Or maybe the walk into town isn’t as long as I remember.

But as I make my way out the door and down the stairs, I feel a presence behind me. I turn to see Phoenix standing at the top of the stairs, looking down at me.

“Don’t go.” His voice is low and urgent. “Stay, at least for the night. It’s not safe out there.”

The rain is coming down, which is only going to make this walk even more miserable. “It’s not safe in here. With you ,” I snap.

I need to keep my emotions in check. No way can he have any idea how much I’m quaking inside at this moment, how my legs are jelly, and I’m forcing them to stand.

But he’s terrifying, looming over me from the top of the stairs. Broad shoulders, barrel chest, a chiseled jaw, and piercing eyes. I remember him being tall and big, massive next to my smaller size, but in the positions we’re both in, he’s a giant.

“You can’t leave.” Phoenix shakes his head, his stormy eyes boring into me. “One night. We have breakfast together tomorrow and talk. That’s all I ask, and then I will help you leave, if that’s what you want.”

I solidify my stance. “Have you been watching me the entire time I’ve been here?”

“Yes.”

Well, at least the fucker’s being honest.

“But I will turn off the camera tonight,” he adds.

I hesitate, torn between my fear and my desire to escape, and reason. I don’t know if I can trust this man, but I also don’t know if I can make it on my own in the rain.

“Please.” His eyes are intense. “I know you’re scared, but I promise you’ll be safe here. At least for tonight.”

I take a deep breath and nod. I don’t know if I’m making the right decision, but I don’t have any other choice.

“Okay.” I ignore the warning bells going off in my ears. “I’ll stay for the night.”

Phoenix nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I’ll see you in the dining room at eight for breakfast. Goodnight.”