Page 72 of The Engagement Party

She did the countdown on her fingers. “Go!”

Her shout broke through the crashing roar of the fire. The back door flew open, sucking the flames deeper into the house. Will and Ruthie flattened against the inside wall on either side of the door. Mitch and Sierra were already moving. He went through the window first, sliding into the opening and ignoring the wind trying to shove him back inside. He did a quick look around then reached for Sierra. Her feet were the last thing Alex saw before she disappeared into the foggy night.

Dylan didn’t rush inside or shoot. If he hovered just beyond the back door he possessed the patience to hold his ground and wait.

“I’m going out.” Ruthie waited for Will to nod and then they ducked low, almost at a crouch, and slipped outside.

Alex didn’t like her with a gun so close to Will. “We need to—”

Cassie put her finger to Alex’s lips to cut him off. “The boat.”

“What?”

“Those are for the car, right? Grab them.” She pointed at the keys on the floor. “We’re going to find Dylan’s boat and get out of here.”

He pocketed the key ring without thinking, his focus solely on his wife. Her eyes were wild and her movements frantic as she raced around the room. She grabbed the only knife left.The smallest one. She mumbled to herself as she picked up her cell . . . then took the others, too.

But that would strand everyone else. They couldn’t. Little got through to his brain right now, but that did. “That maniac is going to kill our friends if we don’t help.”

She put her hands on his forearms, careful not to touch his wound. “You’re injured and can barely function. I need you off this island and safe.”

He couldn’t do this again. He had so much blood on his hands already. “Cassie...”

“The best thing we can do for the people we love is get to a place where we can call the police.”

But he knew that wasn’t really her plan. This was about survival. About Cassie looking out for Cassie and the life she’d created and fought for.

“Leave them a phone,” he said.

She dragged him toward the back door and peeked out. “We need to control this.”

His knees buckled as she pulled him into the cloudy night. Cold air whipped around him and pelted him through the tiny holes in the blanket. Fog covered every inch of the island. Combined with the darkness, he couldn’t see the water or land in the distance or anything more than a few feet in front of him. Behind him? Flames eating through the house.

“Lean on me,” Cassie whispered.

The burning smell filled his nose, and he started choking. He needed to sit, to lie down, but Cassie didn’t give him those options. She tugged and heaved. Her shoes slid on the wet grass. Her strained breathing echoed around him.

They turned the corner of the house and kept going. His head spun. He couldn’t figure out which direction they were headed in. Then they slammed to a stop.

Alex’s head bounced up and he saw the only person they needed to avoid standing less than three feet away. Alex couldn’t really make out his face. He didn’t have to.

Dylan laughed. “Where do you two think you’re going?”

Chapter Fifty-Three

Ruthie

The maniacal laughter stopped Ruthie. The steam ran out of her run. Will kept walking but slowed down. She glanced at Sierra and Mitch, who’d also stilled at the sound. None of them said a word, but they had to go back.

After all the research and interviews, Ruthie suspected Cassie and Alex had played pivotal roles in the killings twelve years ago. Having met them and had personal experience with both of them, her dislike had grown, but she couldn’t walk away now.

“He found Cassie and Alex.” Ruthie whispered the horrible truth when no one offered a different explanation.

Will turned to stare her down. “‘Heas in your boyfriend.”

Sierra groaned. “Don’t do this now.”

But Will stepped in front of Ruthie. Got in her face and hurled his anger straight at her. “You’re the reason my friends are in danger.”

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