Page 72 of Sin Bin Bully

"Time to go get my man," I whisper to myself, shaking off the momentary daze. I tuck the ring into the small pocket of my dress, patting it to make sure it's secure.

I rush to the mirror, running my fingers through my hair in a futile attempt to tame it. My reflection stares back at me - eyes wide, lips swollen, skin dewy. I look wild, almost feral with the need to find Sam.

"Where are you?" I wonder aloud, turning away from the mirror and heading for the door. My bare feet pad silently across the plush carpet as I step into the hallway.

The mansion is quiet. Too quiet. My pulse thrums in my ears as I move from room to room, each one frustratingly empty.

"Sam?" I call out, my voice echoing off the high ceilings. No response.

I pick up my pace, practically jogging now. The library, the gym, his office - all empty. With each vacant room, my anxiety ratchets up a notch. What if he left? What if he thought my silence meant rejection?

"No," I growl, refusing to entertain that thought. He has to be here. He wouldn't leave. Not now.

But still, anxiety starts to pound through me, my movements turning stiff and jerky.

I race through the house, my heart pounding in my chest. The ring in my pocket feels like it's burning against my skin, a constant reminder of what I'm running towards. Sam. My future. Our future.

"Sam!" I call out again, my voice echoing off the marble floors. Nothing.

I round a corner, nearly slipping in my haste. The kitchen. Empty. The living room. Vacant. Where the hell is he?

My breath comes in short gasps as I sprint down another hallway. The tension in my body coils tighter with each passing second. He has to be here somewhere. He wouldn't leave. Not now. Not when we're so close to...

A muffled thud breaks the silence, coming from somewhere ahead. I freeze, straining my ears. Was that...?

Another sound. Louder this time. My blood runs cold as I realize what it is.

Gunshots.

The world seems to tilt on its axis. Gunshots. At Sam's house. Where Sam is.

"Sam!" I scream, terror clawing at my throat. I take off running again, faster than I've ever moved in my life. My bare feet slap against the floor, the sound drowned out by the frantic beating of my heart.

More gunshots ring out, closer now. They're coming from behind the house. I skid to a stop outside the closed door, my hand hovering over the knob. What if...?

No. I can't think like that. I have to get to Sam.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever I might find on the other side. Just as I'm about to turn the knob, another shot cracks through the air, so close it makes my ears ring.

A scream builds in my throat, but I swallow it down. I can't lose it now. I have to find Sam. I have to know that he is okay.

With trembling fingers, I grasp the doorknob and twist.

33

SAM

Sam

The crack of gunfire shatters the evening calm. I duck behind my Aston Martin, the cool metal against my back a stark contrast to the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Another shot rings out, pinging off the car's hood.

When my security alerted me that Matthew and some thugs he's collected were pulling up to my house, I knew I needed the distraction, so I had them let him in.

I went outside, expecting a fight when I found Matthew. But imagine my surprise when the asshole actually grew some balls and pulled a gun on me. I, of course, already had one on me, and I was more than ready for something to take my mind off what was going on with Kim.

Besides, Matthew is an idiot. He's outraged at me for destroying his image and wants revenge. But he's sloppy, angry, and has no clue what he's up against.

I'm just a cat playing with a mouse right now.

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