The one on the phone motions for us to follow her. The other twin braids her fingers with mine as we walk. I think she’s trying to calm me down, and somehow, it’s working. Mae and my mother used to do the same thing, and the familiarity is a comfort.
“Send the medical unit for the guard. He was unconscious when we arrived.” The talking one holds up a fist to stop us.
We’ve come to an intersection in the hallway. She checks around both corners, presumably hunting for any more uninvited guests.
“I think he disabled the motion sensor lights in this wing of the building too.” She motions for us to go ahead.
We shuffle through two more dark hallways before re-emerging in the main entry of this palatial mansion, the giant chandelier hanging above and twinkling with bright light.
Once we’re out of the dark, the woman on the phone catches my eye. “Don’t worry about the girl. She’s not hurt. We’ll take it from here.” She smiles. “Love you. Bye.”
The twin holding my hand rolls her eyes and smirks. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Her sister gives her a pointed look then returns her gaze to me. “I’m Riley. This is Harper. You’re Kiara, right?”
“Y-yes,” I stutter, impressed that I even have it in me after the chaos that just transpired.
Fear and amazement grip me as I glance between the women standing before me. They just saved my life, and by the sound of things, they’re not done with me yet.
Within a few minutes, we’re downstairs in a space akin to a private dealership showroom. The twins call it the garage. It’s probably three stories tall and lined wall-to-wall with luxury cars and SUVs.
They usher me into a nondescript black sedan—I think it’s an Audi, but I’m terrible with cars—and Riley starts the engine as Harper slides into the front passenger seat.
As we speed down the center drive of the estate, I find myself alone in the backseat, spiraling through my own thoughts.
I don’t know whether to be grateful I survived, or awed by these women who can hold their own in a man’s world, or utterly terrified, so I’m all three. As I run my fingers over the plush leather seat beneath my thighs, the vehicle starts to feel like an extravagant cage.
“You okay?” Harper asks just around the time I’m about to start hyperventilating.
“I don’t know.” I’m still dazed from the attack. “What just happened?”
“We were hoping you might be able to tellus.” Riley handles the wheel like a racecar driver, shooting me a reassuring glimpse from the rearview mirror.
Harper twists around in her seat to talk to me. “We were in my room down the hall when we heard you scream.”
I try to shake off the last hour’s lingering nightmare. “I was asleep, and when I woke up, that guy burst into my room.”
Harper’s mouth presses into a line. “Did you recognize him?”
“No. Should I have?” I don’t find any answers in her angelic face. “Wasn’t that guy one ofyours? Wasn’t he there to take me back to…”
I choke on the words because tears are pouring down my cheeks.
“We have no idea who that guy was or what he was doing, but we’re going to get to the bottom of it,” Riley promises, strength in her voice. “Our priority in the meantime is keeping you safe.”
She says those words like she means them. As if she’s entirely unconnected to the Kings and their agenda to use me for their gain.
My eyes drift back and forth between them. “You’re part of the Kings, aren’t you?”
Harper nods. “Our dad works for Shane. I’m engaged to Cian, and Riley’s engaged to Finn.”
I do my best not to flinch. “Finn, the guy with the scar that runs past his mouth? The heir?”
She beams. “That’s him.”
I’m starting to wonder if maybe she’s just a teensy bit insane. “He’s terrifying.”
“Not to me.” Riley sighs. “Though I agree that he’s been in an awful mood lately. Lots of pressure on him at the moment.”
