Page 40

His fingers closed over her elbow and he propelled her toward the hallway and into the small kitchen. She planted her feet into the ground, and tore out of his hold.

Her eyes landed on the block of knives near the stove. Her pulse vibrated against her throat. He was within arm’s reach; there was no way she’d get to the knives without him catching her. She had to throw him off first.

“You’ve been watching me, you sick bastard. I know about the cameras and the audio devices. What was the point of that?” She fisted her hand on her hip at the same time she inched closer to the stove.

He didn’t move. A low chuckle erupted from him and he rested the bat on the kitchen counter, his hand hovered on the smooth laminate surface only inches away.

“I enjoyed watching you, Riley.” A salacious smile split his face. “Hanna liked it too. It was so funny to hear her scream your name. She tried to warn you, but you couldn’t hear her even though we were feet above your head.”

Fury pulsated through her and disgust curdled in her stomach. He wouldn’t get away with this. If it cost her her life, she’d make sure he was caught. She took another step toward the stove, her fingernails dug into her palms.

“Why Hanna?” If she could keep him talking, his attention might slip enough for her to grab a knife. Her throat constricted. She’d have to stab him and take the baseball bat from him. Terror chomped its vicious teeth through her sides.

She had no choice. If she didn’t act, she and Hanna would die and she’d never see Ethan again… if he was still alive. Dread numbed her body. She pushed it away. Ethan was strong and capable.

Michael’s eyes squinted to small beads. He folded his arms across his chest.

Yes, yes, yes.

Her fingertips flexed with the impulse to turn and grab the handle of the butcher knife protruding from the block.

He shook his head. “Hanna was always such a sweet girl. Then all of a sudden she was partying and sleeping with guys.” His lip curled with disgust. “But she wouldn’t give me the time of day.

I sent her flowers, and a card, but she ignored me.

I have more to offer than those punks she was screwing around with.

” A twitch started at the corner of his eye.

Riley swallowed and leaned closer to the counter, she had to move while he wasn’t within reach of the bat.

“You took her because she wouldn’t go out with you?” Riley chortled. “She’s like ten years younger than you at least. And sorry to say, but you’re not exactly man-candy.”

Fire shot through Michael’s eyes. “Yeah, you would say that. Too bad that boyfriend of yours won’t survive the day,” he snarled.

Hope leapt into her chest. That meant Ethan was still alive.

“I was trying to protect her, to offer her security. She repaid me by acting like a slut. She was making a fool out of me and that,” he said as he took a step forward, “is something I won’t stand for.”

Now! Her impulse screamed. She lunged for the block, her fingers closed over the handle of the knife and she yanked it out of its slot.

White noise screeched through her eardrums. Michael shouted something and charged at her.

She spun to face him, her elbow swung back as he tackled her.

The knife flew from her fingers and skittered across the smooth linoleum.

His hands closed over her shoulders and he flung her against the counter.

No. She’d missed her shot.

Her eyes raked the surface beside her, a frying pan sat in the dish rack next to the sink.

Michael huffed in front of her. His chest rose and fell and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Goddamn you, Riley,” he growled. He let out a scream, his hands cupped over his ears. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but there’s no choice. No choice.” He shook his head, his lips firm.

Riley dove for the rack, snatched up the frying pan and swung with all her might. The bottom of the pan connected with Michael’s head, the metal rang through the air and shook her.

“Shit,” he yelped, his hands clenched his skull.

The pan fell from her fingers and she tore through the kitchen.

Her heart hammered in her chest. Michael’s footsteps pounded behind her.

His fingers caught her hair and snapped her head back.

His forearm closed around her throat and he backed her up toward the kitchen.

“No!” The scream tore through her throat violently.

She tossed her weight to the side. He staggered, but caught himself before they went down.

“You’re going to be fun, Riley,” he laughed in her ear. His breath was hot against her cheek. Her stomach roiled. “Don’t you want to see Hanna? I think she’d love the company.”

Riley jerked her elbow back, connecting with his midsection. The air whooshed out of his mouth, and she spun from his hold. She picked up the baseball bat on the counter, her palms held its smooth weight and her chest swelled.

“I’m going to kill you, Michael.” Her words came out steady with conviction. She tightened her fingers on the sleek wood, and wound the bat over her shoulder. He’d taken Hanna, and had done god only knew what to her. That was enough.

Michael straightened, but one hand gripped the edge of the counter. Their fight was taking a toll on him. His eyes grew small and a snarl split his face. He raised his arm and blocked the first blow. It crunched into his shoulder.

He let out a howl and spit flew from his mouth. She swung again, this time she got his kneecap and he went down.

Before she could swing again, he tackled her legs and she careened backward. She landed hard on her tailbone, the wind whooshed out of her lungs, and the back of her head slammed against the kitchen cupboards. Stars flashed in front of her eyes.

Michael rose to his feet and tore the bat from her loose fingers. His high-pitched voice permeated the fog that had settled over her. A moan caught in her throat and she forced her eyes to stay open.

His hands gripped her ankles, and he yanked her toward him. Her butt slid out from under her and without the reflex of her hands to stop her, her head smashed into the floor.

Panic flooded through her, drowning her. “No, let me go.” She kicked and squirmed, but he dragged her across the floor.

His long, lean arms didn’t waver as he pulled her across the kitchen and down the laminate floor in the hallway. She twisted in his grasp, her feet bucked against his hold. She grabbed the edge of the wall and clung.

He was going to kill her. Her heart beat in her chest like a caged wild animal.

Ethan.

She had no way to tell him, no way to leave a clue. He’d look for her, but not until he was aware she was missing. That could be hours. She could be dead by then. Michael gave a yank on her legs and grunted. Her ankles stiffened and her fingers dug into the drywall.

“Dammit, Riley. You’re only making this harder on yourself.” He dropped her feet to the ground and got on top of her. His thin, wiry face filled her vision. His hand sunk into her hair, lifted her head, and slammed it against the floor.

Her ears rang. She kicked and thrashed, her fists connected with every inch of him she could reach.

He lifted her head again, but this time she was ready.

She flung herself forward and raked her nails across his face, his glasses scattered to the floor and three, bright red lines emerged on his skin.

“You’re going to pay for that.” His voice dropped low, almost to a caress. His fist came down on her cheekbone, and her head bounced off the floor.

Darkness closed in around her, Ethan’s name slipped out of her lips.