Page 161 of Exposé

"Ava."

His voice cut through, muffled but razor-edged, and my soul chilled.

"Open the door."

The room spun, my stomach lurching. Blood roared in my ears, drowning out everything but that voice.

Thatgoddamnedvoice.

My pulse spiked, the fight-or-flight instinct roaring to life. I ripped the lamp's cord from the wall and inched toward the door.

“Ava.” Nate’s voice cut through the door. “I know you’re in there.”

I held the lamp over my head, every muscle in my body locking tight.

“You can open the door.” He cleared his throat. “Or I can break it down. Your choice.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. "What guarantees do I have?"

"Please, Ava. I've been looking all over for you for nearly two days now."

"I'm calling the police."

He scoffed a laugh. "You think they're on your side?"

My chin quivered as I glanced around.

There's nowhere to go.

I'm trapped like a caged animal.

"I'll take my chances."

"Ava, I'm not here to hurt you, so please open the door."

My thoughts raced, colliding with each other like bumper cars.

Open the door?

Let him in?

Call the police?

What if he was right?

Liam was an hour away.

My eyes darted toward the window above the desk, which led out to the parking lot, right where he stood.

"What do you want with me?"

I dug into my bag and pulled out the taser, along with the small can of mace I'd bought at the truck stop, and put them on the desk.

No place to go.

No escape.

I put the lamp down, grabbed the hard plastic handled taser, then slid the chain free and opened the door.

---