Page 32 of Devious Secrets

I get to the door of the room I left her in and throw it open, expecting to find her lying in the bed or pacing the room.

My blood runs cold at the sight before me.

The window is open, the fall night breeze blowing the curtains into the room.

There is no sign of Megan Reed.

She’s gone.

Leaves crunch beneath my feet as I hurry through the wooded landscaping of Alexander’s house. Fire erupts in my ankle with each step, but I force myself to keep moving.

Climbing down the side of his house wasn’t as hard as I’d thought it would be, but the last jump to the garden patio twisted my ankle. I’m sure it’s swelling, but I don’t have time to stop and look.

It’s cloudy tonight, so I have to rely on any lighting I can see from the street to lead the way. Except I can’t see the street yet.

The driveway was long, but not so long I shouldn’t be able to get to the street before Alexander comes looking for me. If I keep moving, the streetlamps should come into view soon.

“Megan!” Alexander’s roar shakes the ground.

No! I need more time.

I freeze, sure he’s spotted me, but when I glance over my shoulder, I don’t see him.

I quicken my pace, my gaze darting around for the best path out.

Gotta move faster, get farther away from the house.

Pain slices up my leg—this fucking limp isn’t helping.

Move, Megan, move!

I can’t be here. I can’t wait for him to decide what to do with me.

It’s bad enough having one mob boss on my ass about the money he says I owe him. I can’t have another mafia family putting me on their shit list.

“Megan!” Fuck. I limp faster, dragging my right foot more than using it.

I can’t see the fence line or any streetlamps. I must still be too far away from the main road. Where the hell does he live? We aren’t far enough away from the city to have this much landscape.

A gunshot rings out and I fall to the ground, pressing my cheek to the leaves and dirt. The lunatic is shooting at me!

“You have fifteen seconds to surrender yourself.” His voice carries his demand easily through the trees.

There is no way that’s happening. I remember his threat, and the darkness that swam in his eyes when he gave it. I’ll take my chances out here. The only thing for me to do is get out of this place.

I can’t go home, but that’s fine. Maybe I can stay with Bella for a few days. I haven’t spoken to her since she moved out of the city, but I’m sure she’ll let me crash on her couch.

Billy and his grandmother are another option, but Billy would cave in a heartbeat if Alexander came around with questions.

Another shot.

Fuck!

“Ten seconds!” he bellows. He’s no closer than before, I think.

He’s not coming after me; he’s fully expecting me to come to him.

Well, he can hold his breath waiting for that to happen. Pushing myself to get moving, I hurry as best I can, ignoring the white-hot pain shooting up my leg every time I step on my right foot.

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