Tyler comes out alone, the gun probably tucked away on his body somewhere since he’s no longer holding it. The rain picks up again, pouring down stronger than before. He opens my car door. “All clear.”
He and Alex flank me as we run to the front door. I feel like a playactor in an action film. This is ridiculous. Once inside, Tyler locks the door behind us.
A strange thumping sound booms from the back of the house, and I startle. Maybe they aren’t overreacting. Maybe I’m in denial. “Do you hear that?”
“Didn’t when I went out back. I’ll check it again. Let me grab a rain jacket.”
“I’ll come with,” Alex says.
I pull my wet shirt away from my chest. I’ve been wearing these clothes for what seems like days. “I need to get changed.”
“Stone’s taking a shower,” Tyler says from the stairwell. “Stay inside.”
“I’ll be in the basement.” I head straight for the kitchen. Tea is the only solution to this crazy anxiety. Tyler’s right to be so careful, but I struggle to believe I’m in danger when I’m safe at home. I don’twantto believe it. I plug in the kettle and flip it on before I drop my purse in the office. After navigating the narrow wooden stairway, I tug my shirt over my head and drop it in the washer. A long-sleeved knit waits for me in a pile of folded clothes I hadn’t had time to put away yet. The clean, dry warmth is like a hug. Dragging off my soaked jeans takes a little longer. My fuzzy pajama bottoms offer welcome relief from the cold, damp denim. All I need now is a cup of tea.
“Oh!” I’m surprised Tyler is in the kitchen. “Did you figure out the noise?”
“Gutter. Alex pulled the broken piece down so it didn’t beat up the siding. He’s taking a shower and changing, then we’ll head to the store. Stone will be here.”
I sniff. “You should change too.”
Tyler tucks his nose to his armpit. “Do I stink?”
“Probably. But don’t you want a shower? Some clean clothes?” Why am I trying to delay his leaving?
“Later.” He chuckles. “Right this second, I need a bathroom break. It was a long drive.”
I shake my head. “You don’t need my permission.”
“Had to make sure you were okay first.” Those words warm me more than my comfy clothes.
“Go.” I shoo him away. “I’ll be right here, making tea. Nothing to worry about.”
He turns and jogs away. They better catch Enzo quickly. I can’t live with all this tension. Poking through my tea boxes, I find my favorite herbal blend. I grab a mug from the cabinet above the kettle, and a gust of cold air blasts through the kitchen. I freeze, expecting…
I don’t know what. Tyler’s paranoia is catching.
I put down the cup and move to the front door.
No.
My heart slams up my throat, choking off my air.
He’s here.
Icy terror rushes through my veins.
Enzo locks onto me the second I move. His face is a horrifying mask of hatred. He has on mud-caked shoes and a grime-streaked shirt, and he holds a gun at the end of one sleeve. “You fucking cunt.”
His quiet tone is a cold blade up my back. My heart pounds so hard I’m going to break a rib.
I dart back into the kitchen. Nowhere to go. No second exit—only the basement or my small closet office. It has a lock. I move, but Enzo’s fingers dig into my shoulder, hitting a pressure point. My knees weaken from the pain.
“Payback time.”
“For what?” I blurt, searching desperately for a weapon. I should scream, but the guys are upstairs. They won’t hear me.
He wrenches me around to face him. My back slams into the counter. I whimper, and he grins. “You killed my father. I’m gonna fuck you half dead before I put a bullet in your skull. You—”
