Page 34 of Corrupted By the Shadow King (Hope Runs Deep #3)

Nikki

“ W e can’t stay here and wait for him,” I tell Erin, frantically searching for some way to escape the small room. I know I heard voices and other sounds, and I do not want to stick around to see what Kevin has planned for us.

I don’t trust him or whoever else is involved. Damn! I wish Alex were here; then he could reassure me and tell me everything would be all right. I would be safe. But he isn’t, and we have to do what we can for ourselves while we hope and pray we survive this ordeal.

Alex. Has he found my keys? Has he started looking for me?

I’m a mess. One minute, I’m pushing him away, and the next, I want him to come in, storm the castle, and save me.

I either accept him and who he is, or I don’t.

There cannot be any middle ground here. I know that, and I choose him.

When you are put into a situation such as this, it gives perspective.

I may not like everything Alex does, but I love him, and I could either spend the rest of my days without him or love him and try to change him.

I’m terrified, and the only person I want to see is Alex.

“Fuck,” I whimper and watch Erin wipe away the tears falling down her face. Neither of us wants to admit we are screwed, but it’s not over yet. We have to keep looking. There has to be something. This is a fucking house, not another dimension.

I reach high and feel a bump. Pressing it, I hear a little click, and when I push on the wall, it glides open, ushering us into the dark garage. The light from the room is the only illumination there is.

Slowly and quietly, we leave the safety of the room and open the door leading to the house. The garage door would create too much noise, and I don’t see another door that would lead us to safety. We hold each other’s hands and step inside. There is a ruckus, and I hear Erin gasp. “What?” I mouth.

“It’s my brother,” she soundlessly says back to me. Have they come for us?

My heart speeds up as we inch our way further into the house. I see Angel first, and his eyes widen when he spots me, a smile pulling at his lips. It is beautiful and a relief to see. And then I hear him. My Alex.

Knowing we are safe, we hurry into the room and stand next to Angel. And then all hell breaks loose. I don’t think. I only react. Kevin breaks free and pushes at Mateo and Alex. I grab Angel’s gun out of his shoulder holster and aim. The moment Kevin lifts his weapon, I fire.

I couldn’t let him take Alex from me. I just couldn’t.