Page 15 of King of Wrath
Or is Toni learning that I’m gone?
Will he find me out in the desert? My phone is by the airport. If it gets tracked to there…
Everyone will assume I boarded a plane.
And the announcement will hit the papers. The world will think I’m engaged. That I eloped with Jake?
No one is coming here to look…
Should I be relieved or scared out of my mind? I shake my head, with no idea what to even feel.
Jake gets out of the car and opens my door. I stare at him as he reaches a hand in to help me out.
We are not touching…
I cross my arms and glare. “I don’t need your hand.”
He only reaches it further into the car. “Sorry, sweetheart, but I can’t have you running.”
“Run where?” I snort, as I continue to sit. “I’ve lived around Vegas long enough to understand the dangers of the desert.”
Slowly, he lowers his hand and takes a step back. I inch toward the open door, watching him as I swing one foot out of the car, then the other.
He takes another step back, allowing me to push off the seat. The cool night air hits my face and I draw in a deep breath.
Jake grabs my bags and then points toward the house. “This way.”
He doesn’t lead the way, though, waiting for me and walking next to me as he carries my bags.
We even look like a couple as he pulls out a key, opening the door and inviting me inside as he holds my stuff.
“You didn’t bring a suitcase?” I ask, stepping into the small, but beautiful, interior. A kitchen is to the left, a small island doubling as a table. It has clean, modern lines but with natural-wood finishes that make it feel so cozy. An overstuffed couch and chairs sit to the right, overlooking large windows that face out into the darkness.
“I’ve already moved in,” he answers, closing the door behind us, a lock clicking into place. How did it close? I should be tracking the details but I’m so tired and my head is throbbing.
I should be planning my escape but I’m exhausted and I don’t have a clue how. My eyes sweep over the room again, noting a small hall with three doors. One on the end, and two facing each other. Two bedrooms and a bath?
When was the last time that I peed?
He starts toward the doors, entering the room on the left, still carrying my bags.
It takes a second but then I realize…I’m alone.
I have no idea how long I’ve got but I spin back to the door. I heard it lock but I try the handle anyway.
It doesn’t budge.
With a quick breath, I turn back and that’s when I notice the block of knives on the counter.
Racing into the kitchen, I pull one from the block. Smaller, but with a sinister looking blade, I shove on my cardigan and push the blade up my sleeve.
I take the two steps out of the small space just as he reappears from the bedroom.
I have this moment where I’m trying to decide. What do I do with the knife? Do I use it now? Wait?
He stops three feet away from me, his eyes narrowing. “Nia. You all right?”
“I…” I swallow down a lump. “I need to use the bathroom.”