Page 77 of Erik's Redemption
She frowned, her gaze shooting around the dark room, the only light coming from her phone. Even the lights in the foyer had switched off.
Something cold and uncomfortable coiled in her belly. What was going on?
Slowly, she crept to the door and poked her head out of her office. “Taylor? Are you still here?”
Silence. It prickled her skin, causing the fine hairs on her arms to stand on end. She took two steps toward the foyer, intending to lock the door in case Taylor hadn’t, when her phone dinged with a message.
Unknown number: Wanna play a game?
Her world slowed, the words dancing in front of her eyes as fear crawled up her spine.
Unknown number: It’s called…guess who’s gonna die tonight?
She stumbled back a step, her knees almost caving.
What the hell?
Without thinking, she turned and ran, but not to her office. She ran back to the kitchen, where she closed the door and pushed a chair under the knob. Yes, she was closing herself into a small space, but there were knives in here. Knives that could be used as a weapon. And she didn’t know if this guy was outside or inside, so running was a risk.
She swiped out of the message, fingers shaking as she called Erik.
He answered on the first ring. “Hey, Angel, are you—”
“He’s here.”
“What?” The word was an angry bark. He didn’t need more explanation—he knew what she meant. Movement sounded over the line. “Where? At your office?”
“Yes.” The word was a quiet whisper.
“Find a weapon and hide.” An engine roared in the background. “Now, Hannah.”
His words pulled her out of her stillness, and she blindly turned toward the drawers near the sink. She briefly used the light from her phone to open the second drawer and grab a knife. The blade was big and felt heavy in her hand.
“Have you got something?”
She nodded, but it took her foggy brain a moment to realize he needed her voice. “Yes. I have a knife.”
“Good. I won’t be long, but I need to hang up and call your bodyguard. See where he is.”
She swallowed, fear trying to engulf her. “Okay.”
“Angel—you’re going to be okay. You have protection, and I’ll be there soon. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” But even as the word left her lips, it felt wrong. Everything about this situation felt wrong. Wherewasthe bodyguard? Did he see the lights go out in the building? Was he okay?
The call ended, and immediately she wanted to call Erik back. To keep that connection between them alive.
A door opening sounded from somewhere in the office…the front door, maybe? She took an involuntary step back.
Was he here? Or was that Jim, her bodyguard? Hehadto have seen the lights turn off, right? Was he coming to investigate?
Footsteps moved down the hall. They were quick and quiet. Hannah remained so still she didn’t even breathe.
Suddenly, a loud thump sounded—like a body hitting the floor. Then more footsteps.
Her hip hit the back counter. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere to run. And the chair against the door would only hold off an intruder for so long.
More footsteps, starting, stopping, then starting again…like perhaps the person was searching for her. When they eventually stopped outside the kitchen door, her pulse sped up, the beats stumbling over each other.
