Page 118 of Vengeful Secret

“Well, they’re keeping us safe.”

“I guess,” she grumbles.

It would be hard, I guess, being Lara. Being under constant surveillance by your family. I can’t imagine it provides much privacy.

We arrive at the party supply store, and Lara and I start picking up paper plates and cups. I even find a few party favors I think the class will like—some necklaces and bracelets made of beads.

Lara gasps and makes a beeline toward the wigs, and I turn to see two men guarding the door of the store. I feel less exposed with them watching.

It’s strange, I guess, how differently Lara and I view having guards.

But Lara has never really been in real life, has she? She’s always had her father, her brothers, the Burke mansion, guards. She’s probably a lot more tired of it than I am.

They just make me feel safer.

I trail toward the end of the aisle where a man is perusing the napkins.

“Excuse me,” I say, reaching for a pack of castle themed napkins, and the man grunts.

Something prickles at the back of my neck, my hair standing up.

He grabs my arm as I turn away, and I open my mouth to scream.

He claps his other hand over my mouth.

“Listen,” he snarls. “I’ve got a proposition for you. If you scream, I’ll shoot.”

He puts his hand at the small of his back, and he turns so that I can see the glint of the silver gun.

I swallow hard, nodding and trying not to glance over at Lara or the guards.

I’m in between aisles, and no one can see me.

“I know you can guess who I work for.”

“Murphy,” I whisper.

He nods curtly, his face calm. I jerk away from him, rubbing my skin.

He holds out his arms in defense. “I just want to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

I need to keep him talking. Sneak slowly backwards so the guards can see me…

“Murphy can give you asylum.”

I freeze. “Asylum?”

“For you and the little one. All you have to do is give him up.”

“Give who up?”

He looks at me like I’m stupid, but I feel like my head is spinning.

What is he talking about?

Maybe I’m just too scared to think.

---