Page 46 of Sinful Hearts

“Yes, but we’re having a little delay.”

“What?” I shriek and keep walking.

There’s a road up here soon. I’m almost sure of it.

“Don’t worry,” she says, along with a heavy sigh. “Our ETA is thirty minutes.”

Thirty minutes?

I could be toe-less or dead in that time if my husband finds me.

“I’m in the middle of the woods, waiting for you!” I grip the phone, feeling my throat tighten. “Emilio knows I left and is looking for me. Now isn’t the time for delays!”

Dasha had called because she needed helpASAP, and there was no mention of any delays. She told me I needed to go now and there was no time to waste. I threw on my sneakers, grabbed my purse, and took off through the woods with no plan in mind.

She said she needed money. I told her I could give her the cash in my wallet and then we’d go to the ATM to empty every penny I had.

I also haveanotherplan I’m keeping to myself until I see her.

I’m tagging along wherever she’s going.

She escaped Emilio, and now, it’s my turn.

“I’m trying to hurry, Liliya,” she replies, sounding annoyed. “Give me some patience here. I’m a girl on the run.”

“Yeah, and right now, so am I. We’re both running from the same psychopath.”

I bend at the waist in relief when I reach the road. It’s pitch-black, not a streetlight, car, or home in sight. I pause, giving myself time to catch my breath and recollect my thoughts.

I stumble backward as a set of headlights appears out of nowhere. A vehicle speeds down the road. I flatten myself against a tree, watching the headlights comecloser and closer.

When the vehicle reaches me, I wait for it to pass.

It doesn’t.

It slows for a second before jerking straight toward me.

Fuck!

I turn at the same time the driver’s door opens and take off running.

And just like last time, I don’t make it far.

A heavy body tackles me from behind. I cry out in pain, fear, and frustration.

I was so close—so damn close.

But also so stupid.

The smell of Emilio’s cologne rolls up my nostrils. He doesn’t pin me to the ground this time. One second, I’m in the dirt, and the next, he pulls me to my feet, jerking me upright. He snatches my purse, drapes it over his forearm, and then grabs my phone.

Fear trickles down my spine as he grips my elbow and tugs me forward. I dig my heels into the dirt, using all my strength to stop him from pulling me toward the vehicle.

Emilio curses, and with hardly any effort, he quickly releases my wrist to wrap his arm around my waist. I gasp when he hauls me over his shoulder.

I beat my fists against his back and kick my feet as he walks us out of the woods and back to the road.

There are no other headlights or cars.