Page 31 of Like a Hurricane

“They did it because my dad was going to do it to them?”

“I don’t know, princess. But whatever reason they had; I will find it out. Your father did it to eliminate the competition, perhaps they thought the same.”

I stare down into the glass. My father never spoke to me about the stress he was facing with the Ware’s setting up and growing damn quick in the city. My father has owned the Lauder Hotel and Resort chain for a long time, and I knew the Wares were stepping in on some of that clientele that kept it running but I didn’t think it wasthatbad. To put a kill hit on the competition? No, I couldn’t believe it. My dad would never hurt –

“I see your thoughts, little storm. This is not a lie.”

“And I’m supposed to believe you?” I stand up abruptly. “You’re a killer, Everett. You have a bank full of blood money, youstalkedme,kidnappedme, and I’m just supposed to believe what you’re saying. I know my dad; he wouldn’t do this!”

“You know I’m telling the truth, but you’re too caught up in what you think you know, to believe it right now.”

“I want to go home.”

“I can’t do that, princess.”

“And why not!?”

“Because you’re next.”

“Excuse me!?”

“You witnessed it, Arryn, and believe it or not, I did not have any intention of bringing you here but when I got to you, there was someone already there ready to murder you right in your hospital bed.”

“And what, you’re my knight in shining armor? Should I be thanking you now?”

He stares blankly at me.

“So, make it go away,” I snap, “You’re a big bad assassin, right. Make it go away.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“Because they put your hit on a database, open to everyone to claim. It doesn’t come down until they prove you’re dead.”

I was really good at hiding the fear that was pumping through my body. My heart was pounding, the skin on my back slick with perspiration and my mind whirling through the information I’ve just been given.

“So, I can never go back?” I do my best to hide the tremor in my voice, but I know he hears it. His icy eyes soften, and he gently closes the laptop.

“Arryn,” He starts.

“No!” I frantically step away, overwhelmed by just about everything.

“Princess, breathe.”

“Stay away from me, Everett.Stay away from me!”

He stops his advance as I back my way towards the bedroom. I asked for answers, he gave me them, but I didn’t like these answers. I didn’t like this truth if it was even that. He could be lying.

Hewaslying. He had to be.

He opens his mouth to speak but I bolt, slamming the door to the bedroom closed as I frantically move to the only large piece of furniture in here. The wooden dresser is heavier than I expected but I manage it, even if I pull a muscle doing it as I push it in front of the door.

I was getting the fuck out of here and Everett wasn’t going to stop me.

Chapter Fifteen

It’s around day three when Arryn stops physically trying to maim me. The girl was ruthless in her attempts, I would give her that and everything in this tiny little cabin was a weapon. I’d had to hide all the sharp objects from her since I didn’t much like the idea of being impaled by the fire poker.

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