Page 62

There I went downplaying all my amazing traits again. I listed them in my mind as I pulled down a new wineglass.

I’d once breezed through an entire mall finding six items in six stores in six minutes flat. Of course that had been when they still had malls.

I’d managed to order an entire Thanksgiving dinner while taking a test in criminal psychology because I sucked at cooking and the holiday was so not me.

And I could eat six donuts in less than five minutes.

Six was evidently my number.

With the wine in hand, I allowed myself a little laugh. What was life without being able to laugh at yourself? Right?

The house was strangely quiet. While I knew areas had been soundproofed before, there were men everywhere. Bella was upstairs in her room, likely chatting with friends. If she had any. God. I was a terrible sister. I had no idea if she’d finally been allowed to develop relationships with anyone. I hoped not any boys.

A single intense rumble of thunder was followed by the brightest flash of lightning going sideways across the sky I’d ever seen. I jumped, sloshing the wine and immediately placing my hand over my heart. I hated thunderstorms. They were dark and demonic, inviting unwanted memories that would forever haunt me.

I took shallow breaths and licked the drops of wine from my hand as I reminded myself that I was safe. Everything was okay. The family was fine. I was fine.

Nothing was going to hurt us inside this house.

Ugh. I couldn’t stay locked inside forever. I’d go stir crazy. After taking another sip of wine, I heard the pitter-patter of rain against the windows. The storm had blasted into the area and I hadn’t realized one had been on the way.

I took another sip and refreshed my glass.CSI: Miamiwas the choice. I’d throw on a robe and hide behind my locked bedroom door for the night. Maybe when I woke up, I’d find myself in a different body or at least involved in a different life.

As I started to head for the door, I had my hand under the range top’s hood to turn off the light when Mother Nature did it for me. I was suddenly pitched into complete darkness.

“Shit.” Even more than storms, I hated the blackness that came with night. Since I could remember, I’d slept with a nightlight on, even during college. I’d never been able to fall asleep without one.

What now? I had no idea where or if there were any flashlights. And why hadn’t Papa installed a generator? I was making a mental note to make that happen when I heard a commotion.

Footsteps. The cavalry was here.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

The eruption of gunfire almost gutted me. I froze, uncertain what to do. My instinct kicked in and I moved to an area in the kitchen away from the windows.

“Breach!” I heard one of the men call.

“Where is she?” someone else called out. I didn’t recognize the voice, but that didn’t mean anything.

“Find her. Find the drug lord.”

The drug lord. I was shaking like a leaf, the sense of reality hitting me like a freight train. I was caught in a terrible reality.

Bella. I had to get to Bella.

More gunfire and it sounded close. Something heavy was knocked over. Oh, God. Were they inside the house?

I managed to shove my wine onto a counter and struggled to know what to do. “I’m in here. My sister.”

Someone bolted into the kitchen. “Ma’am. I need to take you to safety.”

“My sister. Go get my sister.”

The asshole hesitated.

“Go get her!”

“Stay right here.” His command was another reminder I was living in la-la-land.