Page 71 of Protecting Hailey

She smiled. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

She looked around. “You have a nice house.”

“Thanks,” I said, waiting for her to take the bottle and leave.

Instead, she opened it and slowly sipped her water.

“Your mom told us about what happened yesterday. Were you scared?”

“Yes. Terrified. But thankfully, I only have a bump on my head.”

She pressed her lips together. “Does it hurt?”

I nodded.

Christian walked into the kitchen. “Ingrid, did you leave your car running?”

Ingrid’s eyes rounded and she clutched her chest. “OMG, no. I didn’t. Is someone stealing my car?”

My eyes shot to Christian’s and my heart sped up again. Was this a carjacking or something more?

“Stay here. Don’t leave this kitchen until I get back.”

“Oh my gosh,” Ingrid put her water bottle down and moved further into the kitchen.

“Don’t be scared,” I said, speaking to myself as much as Ingrid. “I’m sure it’s just some kid looking to go on a joyride.”

Ingrid looked as doubtful as I sounded.

I kept my gaze on Christian’s back as I watched him slowly approach the front door. He pulled the curtain away at the window and watched what was happening out front. A few seconds later, he walked outside.

“Your mom was really touched when she told us what you said to your kidnappers.”

My entire body stiffened from my toes to my eyebrows. My heart stopped beating, and no air moved through my lungs.

I hadn’t told anyone what I’d said. I was too emotional to even express it. And I didn’t want to make anyone feel worse about what had happened.

“Mmm,” was the only sound that I could push through my dry throat.

“Yeah. Offering yourself in exchange for your mother’s life. That was truly commendable and, frankly, surprising.”

A drawer rattled behind me and I turned to see what Ingrid was up to when the cold blade of a carving knife pressed against my neck.

My heart started up again, hammering against my chest. Perspiration gathered along my nape, but I still couldn’t breathe.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I’m putting your words to the test, Hailey. You said you would sacrifice your life to save your mother. I don’t believe it. I think you like to play the hero and the pop star, but you’re just a fake.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“It’s all your fault. I’ve been following you ever since you beat my sister at the Malibu singing competition years ago. She was so much better than you, but you had this sweet, girl-next-door persona and I knew it was bullshit. You were a fake from the beginning. I’m so happy I got to show the world the truth.”

My stomach turned. Her words mingled with her vodka-tinged breath made me want to vomit.

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