Page 79 of The Devils' Darling

I glance over at my dad. “Lucia and Mackenzie might both be down in the kitchen.”

My fear is reflected in my father’s eyes. He immediately swipes the screen of his cell phone and places it to his ear. He doesn’t need any introducing, and I assume he’s speaking to the head of the security team.

“If you see Lucia and her daughter, have them both brought up to our quarters right away.” He pauses and then adds, “And don’t let them give you an argument about it. Put them over your shoulder if you have to.”

I almost smile at this, and I would have, if the situation weren’t so serious. It’s amusing that my dad is also aware that these are two women who don’t appreciate being told what to do.

My phone buzzes again, and my heart jumps, hoping it’s Mack. But it’s Tino.

“What’s up, D?” he asks, sounding way too casual. “I’ve had a couple of missed calls.”

“Where are you? We have a possible security breach.”

“Out for a run. What’s going on?”

I fill him in on what we know so far.

“Fuck,” he says. “I’ll come inside via the back entrance, see if I can find Kenzie and her mom.”

“Yes, good. Thanks. Bring them up to Nataniele’s quarters if you find them.”

“Will do.”

I remind myself that whatever is going on might have nothing to do with Mackenzie, but I’ll still feel better once I know she’s safe.

Chapter 32

Mackenzie

Whenever I’m done with a really good yoga practice, I always feel like I’m on a bit of a high—like I’ve taken a muscle relaxant or had a deep tissue massage. I don’t really want to be wandering through Verona Falls’ hallways in search of my mom, instead of chilling on my bed, but I noticed my meds are low, and I’m going to need a refill soon. Everything medical is going through the clinic Nataniele runs, and I’m not one hundred percent sure how to access what I need. Maybe I should go and see him directly, but I’m still finding it kind of weird that he knows I’m sleeping with his son, and two of his son’s friends, so I’d prefer to let my mom handle things. I sing quietly to myself as I navigate the hallways, a song stuck in my head.

My stomach gurgles, and I put my hand to my belly. I realize I’m starving, though it’s only three in the afternoon, and nowhere near dinnertime yet. Maybe if I speak nicely to one of the kitchen staff, they’ll let me rummage around in the refrigerator?

I find myself dreaming of a huge chicken salad baguette and a thick chocolate shake to finish it off. All this sex I’ve been having, combined with a new peace that’s settled inside me, has given me one hell of an appetite.

I take the stairs to the first floor and exit into one of the corridors that leads to the kitchen.

Ahead of me is a delivery driver—I recognize the tan uniform and baseball cap.

What’s he doing down this way? They don’t normally come into the main body of the building.

He turns to face me, and I freeze, snatching a breath. For a split second, no part of me seems to work. It’s like my feet are rooted to the floor, and the only thought in my head is no-no-no-no.

This is no delivery driver.

Paxton Kassel is standing in front of me. Everything slows as he reaches beneath his shirt and pulls out a gun. My eyes fill with tears of terror. No, it won’t end like this. It can’t. Not after everything we’ve been through. It’s not fair. This cannot be happening. My hands are clammy and my breathing ragged, but I try to focus on survival and not let panic take over.

“Finally,” he says. “Now I’ve got you.”

But, as I turn to run, a deafening boom fills my ears. The blast hits me in the chest, throwing me backward, and I’m lost in a white limbo of utter disorientation.

Chapter 33

Tino

My ears ring, and debris rains down around me.

I have no idea what’s happened. It feels like the world has ended. Fine dust coats my lips, and the world has receded to a fuzzy incompleteness. I’m completely disoriented. Am I dead? I can’t move.

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