Page 129 of Rebel Revenge

Fang, ever faithful, did exactly what I’d asked. He hauled Leonn through the maze of decorations without a single question.

I turned and ran back for the door.

“Where are you going?” Fang hissed from the edge of the building.

“I need to get my purse. Shit. And Kian and Vaughn. We can’t even call them. They’re locked in there.”

Leonn struggled in Fang’s arms, apparently more scared of a kneecapping than he was of outright dying. He clearly didn’t like pain. Maybe that came from being a doctor and seeing so many people in so much of it. I stored that tidbit away for future reference.

“Just leave it!” Fang manhandled Leonn a few more steps, turning his attention to him. “Fucking hell, you’re scared of a little kneecapping? After what you did to her? You piece of cowardly shit. I should rape you and see how you fucking like it.”

Though I knew he was on my side, I couldn’t stand there listening to it. I couldn’t hear the word rape without wanting to shrivel up and die. I couldn’t go back there. To those dark days afterward where I’d lain in my bed in the fetal position and thought about ending it all.

I ran back inside the dark house, swinging the door shut behind me in case anyone else tried coming through this entrance. The locks clicked as they reengaged, which might have been a good thing. At least it would stop Fang from following me back inside. The quicker we all got out of here, the better.

In the living room, I grabbed my purse from the floor and kept going, striding back the way we’d come, the sounds of the party outside getting louder with every step. I reached the glass doors, the party beyond.

Caleb stood on the other side.

His costume a white knight, which was about as ironic as you could possibly get. Even when he was in profile and dressed all in white, I could have sworn I could see the evil in his eye. He talked with a friend, his squinty eyes calculating the entire time.

I couldn’t afford to freeze again.

I had my mask back on, but I couldn’t walk straight past Caleb.

Something in me knew he’d know, and I had none of the guys here to back me up.

Without them, I didn’t trust myself. I was scared I’d revert to the weak pathetic mess, lying on the floor of the living room while men attacked me. While they put their hands on my body. While they broke my spirit.

Caleb shifted in my direction, and I spun on my heel, blindly turning away so he wouldn’t spot me. I hurried down the hall, and as the glass doors opened, his evil laugh floated through.

It sent chills down my spine.

I ran.

But his voice followed, casual enough I was sure he hadn’t seen me, but that wouldn’t last if I just stood there like a stunned mullet. And I couldn’t go back the way I’d come, I’d have to walk straight past him while he moved around the kitchen, clinking bottles as he went.

There was nowhere to go. No escape except the locked door that led to the basement.

He wouldn’t go down there, surely. He’d get his drinks or food and then he’d return to his guests. I just needed somewhere to hide until he went back outside and then I could creep back up, find the guys, and get the hell out of here.

A second voice joined him in the kitchen, the two of them mumbling something I couldn’t quite hear. Was it Hugh? I couldn’t be sure. I was too scared to truly listen in case it was, and I was trapped in here with two of my attackers. Their voices seemed too loud, and I was a sitting duck. Fear wrapped its way around my throat, squeezing until I slid the lock to the side and slipped past the door, closing it quietly behind me.

I stood there in the darkness, breathing heavy.

But their voices kept coming. Louder with every second.

I slunk down the stairs, fumbling along the walls for a light switch but then realizing I couldn’t just turn a light on. I edged my way around the room, searching the walls and floor for anything I could use to protect myself.

But there was nowhere to hide. It was like the room was completely empty.

Caleb’s voice kept coming. Closer with every step. Talking to another man, but terror pounded in my ears, drowning out the exact words. I stared up the stairs at the door, convinced I’d made a terrible mistake.

They were coming down here. At any moment, the door would open, the light would turn on, and I’d be caught.

Behind me, the solid wall changed, and hope reared inside me.

A doorframe. The door. A handle.

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