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I wrap my arms around her from behind, pinning her in place.

“No!” she screams, thrashing against me like a wild animal. “Let me go! I have to get them! I have to. King, please!”

Her heel slams into my shin. I grunt but keep my hold on her. She writhes harder, nails digging painfully into my forearm, her back arching, her whole body trembling with desperation. Her sobs are guttural and animalistic. The sound of her grief and fear unsettles me.

“He’ll tell them I’m dead! He’s gonna tell them!”

My arms tighten. “He won’t.”

“Yes, he will!”

“Sable, listen. He won’t because he knows you’re alive.” My voice is firm and sharp. “It wouldn’t make any sense for him to tell them that.”

She goes still for a beat, breathing hard, chest heaving. Then, softly, she says, “You know what he’s capable of.”

“With you,” I say gently. “Not his own daughters. But listen, there’s a way to stall him.”

Her body shivers against mine. “What is it?”

“Are you ready to hear it?”

She nods.

“And if I let you go, you’re gonna stay calm?”

Another nod.

Slowly, carefully, I loosen my grip.

And she goes feral.

Her teeth sink into the flesh of my hand so fast and so hard, pain shoots up my arm like a live wire.

I yell, “Fuck!” as she slips out of my grasp and scrambles to the door like her life depends on it.

“Sable!”

I explode forward, beating her to the door by inches.

I catch her mid-stride, sweep her off her feet, and slam us both down onto the carpet. She lands with a gasp underneath me, kicking, scratching, fighting like hell.

But I’m stronger.

Her little fists pound into my chest. Her knees jerk up, trying to buck me off. I pin her wrists above her head, panting hard, trying to keep us both from getting hurt.

Finally, she breaks. All the fight leaves her, and her body goes limp beneath mine. She stares up at me, eyes glassy, lips parted, shaking like a scared bird.

“Sable,” I say, shifting my grip. I like the way she looks in this position, but now isn’t the time. I let go of her wrists, bringing my hands to her face instead.

“I know you’re scared. I get it. But running out there right now, without a plan, is a good way to walk into something you can’t walk back from.”

She swallows hard.

“Your sister,” I remind her. “She lives in a gated community, right?”

She nods.

“Call her and tell her to let the guard know not to let anybody in without her approval. Especially Brett.”