Page 52 of Smoke and Mirrors

“Kace… again w-with the scaring t-thing,” I say nervously, unable to keep my voice from shaking.

He tosses the phone back into the bag and turns to face me, the look he just had has been replaced instantly with one of determination. “This time… you should be scared.”

I stand up slowly. “What does that mean?”

“Go… get some clothes on and shoes,” he orders as he moves toward the wall, his hands run across it almost delicately before he reaches a painting. He lifts it off the hook and drops it onto the floor next to him.

“Hey! What are you—”

I scream as he smashes his fist through the plasterboard. He begins ripping it away, creating a gaping hole in my living room wall.

What I don’t expect is the large black box that sits just inside it.

I gasp, and Kace turns back to me. “Go, Lily! We don’t have time.”

My heart beats double=time as I trip against the corner of the couch, stumbling over to the hallway before I catch myself. I propel my body forward, dashing into my bedroom, my eyes quickly scanning the room before I spot the pair of jeans I discarded last night on the floor.

I snatch them up, forcing my leg in one side and jumping around as I try to balance while pushing the other through as well.

My breathing is rushed, and I can still hear Kace down in the living room rummaging.

“Let’s go!” he yells.

I jump at the stern tone, grabbing my sweatshirt off the back of the door and slipping my feet into some sneakers before hurrying back out to meet him. I pull my sweatshirt over my head and grab my handbag as I emerge from the hallway.

Kace has his large bag over his arm, and with the wall now completely destroyed, I can clearly see the black safe inside, its door swung open, and it’s completely empty. Kace lifts the gun in his hand and checks the clip, the sound of him clicking it back into place makes me shudder.

“Wait. Woah. Why do we need a gun? And how the fuck did you get a safe inside my w-wall?” I stammer.

“We have connecting walls, remember?” he answers absently as he adjusts the thick belt that’s now wrapped around his waist. He tucks the gun into a holster at his hip.

“Do I need a gun?” I ask.

He looks up, his eyebrows raised. “Do you know how to use one?”

I wrap my arms around my waist and shrug. “Kinda. I grew up on a farm.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “I’m surprised and slightly turned on.”

I can’t help but smile. “Really?”

“Save it for later. We’ve got to go.” He moves toward me, grabbing my hand. I pull back.

“Go where?” I demand. “For how long? Do I need to tell Molly? What about Daisy?”

“We’ll figure that out later,” he says, obviously growing frustrated. He wraps his hand around mine once again, and I have no choice but to follow as he pulls me toward the front door.

A loud bang startles us both, sounding like it was out in the hall.

“I think we better take the balcony,” he states, spinning us around and heading for my small outdoor area.

“Kace. Have you seen that fire escape? I don’t even know if it will hold us,” I tell him nervously as he throws the doors open, and we break out into the cool air. It hits my face, stunning me for a second.

“I’d rather risk that than a bullet in the head,” he tells me as he drops his heavy bag over the edge.

“Kace, seriously. I’m scared. Are we really in that much trouble?”

Kace pulls me to him. For a second, I think he’s going to kiss me as his hot breath fans against my forehead. But it’s when I feel the cold metal of a gun slip down the back of my jeans, I quickly inhale. “Go!” he growls, pushing me to the small space where there’s a metal ladder. I pull the strap of my handbag over my head, and it rests on my hip tight across my body. My hands are frozen, but I grip onto the skinny bar like my life depends on it. And with the way Kace is talking, it does.

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