Page 142 of Kiss of Deceit

He staggered under the streetlight, my eyes widening when I realized the front of his clothes were covered in blood. He was hunched over, grabbing his stomach as he tottered closer. His hair was a tangled mess, his eyes wild with pain. Kole strode forward, catching Riggs when he collapsed to the ground. I watched, panic swelling inside me.

“Put pressure on his wound,” I instructed in a shaky voice. I looked back toward the trees, searching for any movement.

“Stabbed,” Riggs forced out, his voice thick with anguish. “He was near the factory. You have to tell Harry?—”

A loud alarm began blaring through the town. Kole and Adella exchanged a dark look as Kole laid Riggs on the snow, putting his hands over his stab wound. Blood seeped between his hands, and I knew Riggs didn’t have much time if he didn’t get help.

“What is that?” I yelled.

“The factory,” Riggs choked out. “They’re out. All of them.”

“Fuck,” Kole cursed, glancing at Adella. “Go get help. There should be someone at the clinic.”

I fell to my knees. “What does that mean?”

“The prison,” Kole gritted out. “That alarm means there are inmates out.”

The ringing was echoing in my ears, and I didn’t hear what Adella said before she sprinted away, heading for the clinic. As I watched her go, I noticed people coming out of the shadows. My breath caught. It wasn’t just one or two, but large groups.

Riggs coughed, groaning in pain. His face was pale, his body shaking. I eyed the blood, nausea swirling in my gut.

“He’s not going to make it if we stay here,” I said, making a last second decision. “He’s losing too much blood.”

A muscle in Kole’s jaw clenched. “I’m worried I’ll hurt him more if I move him.”

“I don’t think we have a choice.”

Kole carefully picked Riggs up. “I’ll carry him to the clinic. Hopefully help will meet us before we get too far. It’s not smart to stay in the street right now anyway.”

“Go slowly,” I told him, my gaze staying on the looming crowd. Riggs let out a string of swear words as Kole jostled him, but that meant he was still alert, which was a good sign.

“You should go into my bar. Lock the doors.”

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

“I’ll be fine. These men…” He trailed off as we walked toward the clinic. “I’m sure most of them don’t want any trouble, but I’m not chancing it.”

By now, people were wandering out of their homes and down the street to see what the commotion was about. Shouts cut through the air when the crowd of inmates were spotted. The blaring alarm was beginning to give me a headache as I stared at the small speakers attached to the streetlights. I’d noticed them in the past but never questioned it.

“Stay close if you won’t go to my bar,” Kole gritted out. “You have your knife?”

“I always have my knife.”

I stumbled a step when a face at the edge of the crowd caught my attention. My heart pounded against my ribs as I craned my neck when the figure disappeared behind someone else before reappearing again.

“No,” I breathed out, the world around me dimming as I met his eyes.

They were the same eyes that watched me as I writhed in pain from his blade. His lips stretched in a cruel smile—one I remembered like it was yesterday. His hair was still long and pulled behind his head. Terror and rage exploded within me, creating a flood of emotions I couldn’t control.

My monster was here. Only twenty feet in front of me.

I blinked, making sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. When I stared at him again, he cocked his head as if taunting me.

“Dani…Dani. What’s wrong?” Kole’s voice sounded far away. “Why did you stop?”

“Get Riggs to the clinic,” I said, my voice higher than normal.

I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. He would try to stop me—or follow. If he didn’t get Riggs help right away, then he wouldn’t survive. I gripped my knife, anger searing my veins. I broke out in a sprint, hearing Kole yelling my name in a panic. I got closer to the crowd, keeping my eyes on the bastard who ruined my life. He was creeping backward, his gaze staying locked on mine.