“The door in there.”
He’s thought of everything.Perfect.
I smile and walk into the room.“I’m not sure I’ll hear when the car arrives, so you’ll let me know?”
He nods curtly and closes the door.The light snick of the lock fills the room.I shake my head.This is almost too easy.
I walk into the bathroom and use it before looking around for anything useful.Our phones have been off anyway, just in case Peter is trying to track us.
Inside my pants is a small pocket with my lockpicking kit.The room itself is simple.Nothing small or useful in it.I could use the stone lamps to bash the bodyguard’s head in, but that might go the wrong way.
I don’t want to end up on trial for murder.No, I want the option of a life with Sara if she’ll have me.I’m not the proper gentleman like Dante.I don’t have that dark, broody side like Wyatt.Drew and I are similar, except his family does things through the normal channels while mine does what needs to be done.
I knock lightly on the door and call out, “Hello?”
Then I patiently listen to see if he’s hovering in the hall.My guess is he’s run off to do whatever he’s paid to do now that I’m trapped.
I kneel and work on the lock until I hear that little snick.Careful to put away my tools, I rise and turn the knob slowly before dragging the door open.I wait a heartbeat.Two.
Then I look out to see if anyone is around.
It’s clear so I creep down the hallway, staying close to the wall.Checking out the downstairs is probably a bad idea and a great way to get caught.According to the floorplan, no bedrooms are down here.It wouldn’t be prudent to put someone being held captive in a first floor room where they could jump out a window to safety.I make my way to the main staircase and hurry up the stairs.
I stop at every door and turn the knob.When they’re unlocked, I keep moving.There are a lot of doors up here.After getting through most of the rooms, I turn a doorknob and it opens.Heavy footsteps on the stairs sound behind me so I duck into the room.
It’s a small bedroom that looks out over the back of the house.There’s a sharp knock on a door, but it’s not mine.A key turns in a lock and then a door opens.I don’t dare look out.I assume it’s the bodyguard and he’s feeding a prisoner.Hopefully Sara.
The door shuts and the lock is engaged.The heavy footsteps go down the hallway and then descend the stairs.I wait a few minutes before opening the door and checking to make sure the coast is clear.
When I walk to the next door, I turn the knob.My heart stops as it locks.I wipe my hands on the back of my pants and check the hallway before kneeling and getting out my lockpick set.My hands tremble as I work the lock.
This has to be her.I don’t have any plan beyond seeing her.I don’t know how I’m going to get her out of this, or me for that matter, since the tow truck isn’t coming.If I escape, then they’ll know why I’m really here.But if he tells Peter I’m here, he already knows.
Fuck it.I’ll take my chances.Maybe we can disappear into the woods.
The lock releases and I pocket my tools and take a breath.Standing, I open the door and step in before closing it behind me.The smell of eggs and bacon reaches my nose and a gentle snore rises from the bed.
I creep across the room.Her red hair is spread over the pillow.She’s dressed in jeans and a sweater and even has her sneakers on like she’s ready to go.Blowing out a breath, I look her over like I’d be able to see if they abused her at all.
Lowering to the edge of the bed, I brush her hair away from her face and her nose wrinkles like I tickled her.
I put my hand over her mouth and nudge her.Her eyes open wide and then relax when she sees it’s me.
I hold my finger to my lips before I take my hand away.She sits up and wraps her arms around me.Those pieces that felt scattered with her gone click back into place as I return her hug.
This hug could never end and I’d be happy here, but we need to figure out how we’re getting out of this.I pull away and see the tears shimmering in her eyes as she smiles at me.Okay, this is on me now.
Maybe I want to be her hero.
I slide off the bed and hold my hand out to her.She takes it and hurries with me to the door.This wasn’t supposed to be a rescue attempt but I can’t let her go now that I have her.
The door opens.Sara gasps.I turn and see something coming at my head before the world goes black.
Chapter9
The Cards We’re Dealt
Drew