Hideaway
Page 91

“I’m not unhappy,” I told her. “I know that.”
She nodded, still concentrating on her work. “Kai’s a good man. He’s family.”
I know. And I knew what she was telling me. I’d better make him happy, too. Things might be complicated, and it might be a very long time before they loosened the reins enough to widen their circle to fit me, but I admired her loyalty.
I walked up, pushing a tea light and lighter over to her whenever she was ready. “So, how’s your wedding planning going?”
A wide smile spread across her face. “I’m having ideas,” she replied coyly. “Wanna help me shop?”
“Shop?” I couldn’t contain the abhorrence on my face. “For dresses?”
She looked at me, leaning in. “For a train.”
“A train? As in…”
“All abooooard,” she sing-songed.
Huh?
But before I had a chance to question further, all light in the kitchen died, and the whole room went dim.
“Whoa.” Rika straightened on her stool.
I charged across the kitchen, quickly flipping the switches on the wall.
But the lights were out. “Flashlights and candles!” I yelled down the hallway. “Move your asses!”
“I can’t believe they went out already.” Rika rubbed her arms as if she had a chill. “It’s not even that bad out yet.”
“Alright, here.” David and Lev came rushing back, setting the supplies down on the island.
I handed Rika a utility lighter. “Light the candles in the holders in the dining room?”
She took it and hopped off her stool, leaving the room. I handed Alex some candle sticks. “Can you spread out a few upstairs in the hallways? Lev go with her.”
David handed me a flashlight, and I took some candles and a lighter to put in the living room, while he jogged upstairs.
I went into the den first and dumped out a small tray of paper clips from Kai’s desk. Placing the candle on it, I lit it and left, doing a double-take to make sure the secret entrance to the tunnel was closed.
Walking into the living room, I broke out in chills, feeling a draft. I looked up, seeing the curtains blowing and seeing the rain falling through the open window.
“What the hell?” I dumped the candles on the couch and ran over to the window, grabbing it and trying to pull it down again. “How the hell is this open?”
Rain splattered the windowsill, droplets bouncing against my shirt as I put all my weight into yanking the window back down.
“Why is this open?” Rika rushed up to me, grabbing the window. Both of us pulled, finally getting it to slide back down.
“I have no idea.” I breathed hard and dusted off my hands. “Thank you, though. It’s getting bad out there.”
“Yeah.” She peered out the window, her long blonde hair hanging over her shoulders. “Kind of wish we were home. Devil’s Night is even better in the rain.”
I rubbed my arms, shivering. I wouldn’t know. But I could guess what everyone was getting up to back home tonight. I didn’t have the wistful look in my eyes like Rika did, though.
I could imagine she’d grown up quite differently than me. In safety, security, and a bit sheltered. I grew up with Damon, on the other hand, and I’d seen enough destructive behavior that Devil’s Night seemed tame. I didn’t find it liberating or fun. While she’d wanted to break away and find some trouble, I craved the calm and quiet.
Something hit the floor above our heads, and we both instantly looked up to the ceiling. Boards creaked as if someone was walking across the second floor, and we followed the sound with our eyes.
“Alex,” Rika said.
I nodded, although Kai’s—and my—bedroom was right above us. She had no reason to be in there.
I picked up my flashlight on the couch and started to walk out of the room. “Come on.”
We jogged up the stairs, the hair on my arms standing on end. We hadn’t left that window open. I looked around, shining my flashlight left and right, on high-alert.
“Alex?” I called out, heading down the hallway to our bedroom. “Alex, are you okay?”
I swung open the bedroom door, caution keeping me from going in as I shone the flashlight all around. There were no candles lit in here, and I searched the corners, the bed, and behind the door.
Everything was exactly how I’d left it.
I was about to head into the en suite, but then I heard a creak coming from behind me. Rika and I both turned our heads.
“Alex?” I called out.
Walking over, I opened the door and shone the flashlight inside the spare room.
“What the fuck?” Lev exclaimed. He pushed off the bed, standing up and refastening his jeans. Alex rose from where she knelt on the floor and shrugged at me with a sheepish smile.
I shook my head, barking at Lev, “Get with David, and go to the basement. Check the fuse box.”
He cleared his throat, trying to hide his grin as he brushed past me out of the room.
I turned to Alex. “They’re all yours once they’re done for the night. Hold your horses.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but something pounded the ceiling above us, and we all shot our eyes up.
I gasped, my breath stuck in my throat. That wasn’t any of us.
“What is that?” Rika asked.
I grabbed her arm, pulling her into the hallway and then jerking my chin at Alex. “Let’s go!”
They followed me, all of us running back down the hallway and the stairs. “Lev!” I called. “David!”
Swinging around the bannister, I ran toward the kitchen and yanked open the door to the basement.
“Lev!” I squeezed the flashlight in my hand, shining it down the dark stairwell. “David!”
Jesus, where were they?
The ceiling creaked again, and then again, in small intervals as if someone was walking above us.
“Banks,” Rika gritted out like a warning.
I know. I know. Something was wrong.
I started to back away from the basement door, looking left to right. “Your phone…where is it?”
“In the sitting room.”
We all twisted around, and I kept the flashlight on as we dashed across the foyer. I double checked the locks on the front door to make sure they were still secure.
Entering the sitting room, Rika went straight for the couch and dug in her handbag, pulling out her cell.
Then something dropped on the floor above us, a thud vibrating through the house.
“What the hell?” Alex stood over by the window, flashing her light around.
Rika turned and met my eyes, ready to dial, but then her gaze flashed behind me. “Banks.”
I followed her gaze, twisting around. Kai stood in the doorway wearing his mask.
I let out a breath. “Kai.” I rushed over to him, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him close. “What the hell? You scared us.”
He was safe. The knots in my stomach started to unwind.
“Did you come in through the secret entrance?” I asked, feeling his arms come around me and hold me tight. “Where are Michael and Will?”
“Banks,” Rika called.
I pulled back, turning my head toward her. “What?”
She looked between her phone and me, and I heard it vibrating in her hand. “Kai’s calling me.”
What?
Her gaze flashed to the man in front of me, and her chest caved. She started shaking her head, backing up. “That’s not Kai.”
I dropped my arms from around the man’s waist, a lump swelling in my throat as I looked back up to the mask.
Black eyes met mine—a familiar coldness staring back at me.
Damon? I backed away, his eyes still on me. “Oh, my God.”
“Put the phone down,” he told Rika. “Now.”
But I knew she wouldn’t listen to him. Turning my eyes on her, I shook my head, pleading with my eyes. It would only provoke him. I could handle this if I could keep him calm.
Her fist tightened around the phone, and I could tell she was struggling with what to do. But ultimately, she stuffed the phone in her back pocket and grabbed a bottle of Johnny Walker by the neck from on top of the liquor cabinet, readying herself.