Brooke had to hold the banister to keep from tripping over the high heels. If she tipped forward, there was a chance she would tumble down the winding staircase.

The black sweater cut in a low V almost to her navel and draped gracefully off her shoulders. It was hard to deny how elegant and sexy she looked. It seemed ridiculous to wear this to dinner in the dining room, but she did as she was told. She wasn’t interested in testing Tyler or Lee.

When she reached the bottom of the staircase she peered around the corner looking for the dining room. The house was eerily dark and quiet.

She didn’t know what it would be like living with two bachelors. Whether they would have sports blaring on the TV at all times. If they would smoke cigars or walk around in their underwear. These two men didn’t seem like other bachelors. They were different.

She listened for the sound of Tyler and Lee talking and walked toward the front entrance of the cabin. An overpowering chandelier constructed from antlers hung in the foyer. In front of her was the front door. She didn’t know how the design could be rustic and elegant at the same time.

There was no one here. No one to see her. No one to stop her.

She slowly picked up her pace. Was she actually considering making a run for it? Could she run through the front door to her freedom? How long would it take for them to notice she was gone?

There was no way she would make it far in these heels. She looked to her right. Then her left. The house was quiet. She slid off her shoes, feeling tiny without them to give her extra height. She tiptoed toward the massive set of doors.

She didn’t know where she would go on the other side. With each step she took she tried to think of how this could pan out. Would Niall track her down? Would he punish her for ruining his payment plan? What if Tyler and Lee had an angry side she hadn’t picked up on? Would she have to serve a longer term if they caught her?

And then there was the snow. It covered everything. She didn’t have a coat, gloves, or a hat. With this crop top, she’d freeze in under an hour.

There wasn’t time to hash out every scenario. It was now or never. Frostbite or freedom.

She reached the handle. It was embellished and carved. Her fingers rested on the design. On the other side was the dark night. Night that offered a chance to run. A chance to escape. Night that held more fear. Held retaliation. A life that would never be certain. She pressed her forehead into the planes of the door.

She heard footsteps behind her and jumped. She quickly maneuvered away from the door.

“Going somewhere?”

It was Lee.

She plastered a smile on her face and turned to face him. “I-I had a cramp in my foot from the shoes,” she lied. “I was walking it out in the foyer. The wooden surface is cool on my feet.”

He bent toward the floor and retrieved her heels. They looked tiny in his hands.

“Let me help.”

He strolled toward her and knelt at her feet. Brooke felt her throat tighten. She fought back the tears. The regret sank into her shoulders and worked through her body. Tonight’s freedom was gone. She waited too long and let the obstacles paralyze her instead of taking a chance. It was her own fault. She blinked back the first tear.

Lee touched her ankle, raising it from the floor. “How is this?” He slid it into the shoe and then assisted her other foot while she used his shoulder as a balance barre.

She nodded. “I think it’s fine now.”

He grinned, rising slowly from the marble. “You look stunning, Brooke.” There was something dark in him, but eerily calm and peaceful. She was intrigued even though she didn’t want to be. She blamed his damn sexy beard.

It happened involuntarily, but she shivered. It was the good kind. It felt tingly and electric. She wanted to slap herself. That wasn’t supposed to happen. He was her warden, not some kind of prince.

“Thank you.” Her eyes darted away from him, but landed on Tyler strolling toward them.

He was drop-dead gorgeous in a fitted suit. She inhaled sharply as his eyes caught hers.

“You are sexy as sin, sweetheart.” He reached for her hand, drawing her wrist toward his face. She blushed when he turned her hand over and kissed the inside of her palm. She was worried this time they both saw her shiver.

“Shall we?” Lee offered his arm. Tyler was quick to follow on her other side.

Brooke let them lead her to the dining room, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that they eyed her as if they wished she was tonight’s dessert.