Page 67 of Dolly

That could make things easier for us. I pick up the hem of my dress and play with the lace edging.

“You sure you don’t want to change?” Ken asks when he notices my fidgeting. It’s the dress from the playroom. The one I had to wear for them, to give me the little girl appearance they wanted so badly. I’ve even braided my hair into two braids—just like Dragonmate liked. I didn’t have ribbon for the ends, but he’ll have to forgive me.

“No. Not yet.” I flatten my hand down over the skirt, smoothing it against my thighs. It’s wrinkled, and blood stains the bodice, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate the effort.

“Where the hell is she taking him?” Ken grips the steering wheel tighter as we leave the high-end neighborhood. The boutiques and cuisine restaurants have turned into discount stores, pawn shops, fast food places.

“Maybe he’s meeting his mistress.” I roll my eyes.

“He wouldn’t have his daughter take him for that,” he dismisses, focusing on keeping up with them without getting noticed.

The Lincoln turns into a narrow alley.

“Shit.” Ken stops the truck. If we go down the alley, they’ll absolutely see us.

“We can’t lose them,” I urge him.

He pushes out a breath. “I know.” He flicks off the headlights and turns the truck into the alley. Brake lights on the Lincoln give away their position. Halfway down the alley. The red lights turn off as we get closer. The driver side door opens, then slams shut. A girl, not much bigger than me, rounds the front of the car and yanks open the passenger door.

A stocky man, round and tall, climbs out of the car, using the door as leverage.

“Shit. Shit.” Ken takes his foot off the gas and pulls the truck to the side, parking us against a garage door, behind a thick wood utility pole. We aren’t exactly hidden, but no longer in plain sight either. And I have a good vantage point to watch them.

The car door shuts, and he follows the girl to the side of the garage.

“Did they go inside the garage or up to the house?” I ask, having lost them behind the other garages.

“I don’t know. Let’s go, but keep quiet. Don’t make a move until I say, okay?”

“I won’t. Promise.” I squeeze his hand.

We climb out of the truck, easing the doors closed so we don’t alert anyone to our presence. I follow behind Ken, my knife firmly planted in my hand and his gun in his grip. The crisp night air nips at my skin as we move through the alley.

There’s no one beside the garage. Ken glances back at me quickly, then motions for me to follow close behind him. There’s a small garden between the garage and the walkway. Greenery sticks up from the dirt, a sign spring will quickly turn into summer.

“They’re in the house.” Ken’s voice comes out in a hiss.

Lush grass grows between the garage and the house. Someone keeps it up nice, waters it, cuts it. Whoever tends to it won’t let it die. A light flickers to life inside the house, casting a yellow glow on the back patio. A figure walks past the window, throwing a shadow just in front of Ken.

It’s the girl, her hair pulled into a high ponytail.

“Should we knock?” I grip the back of Ken’s shirt, fighting back a giggle.

I shouldn’t be enjoying this moment. There’s nothing but the unknown stretched out in front of us. My insides are trembling, but it’s not from fear. I can sense victory. We are going to finally battle the last demon.

And we are going to win.

“We’re going to storm the door. I have no idea how many people are inside, but we’ll have surprise on our side.” Ken’s eyes shimmer beneath the soft lighting from the house. He’s as eager to fulfill our goal as I am.

I adjust my grip on my knife, the weight of it keeping me grounded as we make our way up the short steps to the door.

The girl passes by the window again. Just as she disappears from my line of site, Ken kicks in the door. His gun drawn and ready, he rushes inside.

The girl screams, spinning around to face us. Her eyes widen when she looks at me, then soften when her gaze passes over Ken. Recognition burns bright.

“Brian,” she says his name delicately, like her lips are cradling it.

My jaw tenses.

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