Page 59 of Tainted Truth

The French door to the laundry room is glass and will do nothing to hide my presence. Even with the lights off in there, the space is still partially illuminated by the kitchen lighting. The storm outside helps hide the moon, but it only aids so much in dimming its light.

I just pray I make it in there before he gets off the last step.

“You’re not going to get far, Flower!”

Throwing open the French door, it bangs on the wall and bounces back as I dart across the tile. The heavy door now blocking my way to the garage offers me sanctuary. But when the sound of Anthony making his way down the stairs in the living room makes it to my ears, I freeze. My body locks up and I can’t breathe.

Shit. This is not happening right now.

Hoping this plan works twice, I open the garage door all the way and fit myself inside the laundry dumbwaiter. I shut thecabinet behind me seconds before Anthony tears through the laundry room.

“She went through the garage.”

“Probably going up to her studio,” Pierce replies.

They’re both in here. My heart rate doubles, and a stab of anxiety goes through my gut.

Will they find me? Will they shoot me like they shot Henry?

One to the heart. One to the head.

Twocreakscome from the metal transition when they each step on it and cross into the garage, but I don’t dare let out a breath just yet. I wait and count to thirty before I grip the rope and use the pulley to move from the laundry room to the master bathroom on the second floor.

This is the only thing in the house that has yet to get an update and requires someone to use the pulley system for it to move. Thankfully, it’s silent.

I jolt and halt when another “Flowerrrrr”echoes through the house. Forcing a deep breath in my lungs, I get moving again.

He hasn’t found me yet. He hasn’t found me yet.

I chant the mantra over and over, praying it’s true.

Making it to the top, I open the cabinet, step out, and search for my next hiding spot.

I won’t fit anywhere in here. The cabinets are all full, and the shower has a glass door. On light feet I go into the bedroom I share with Anthony. The door is ajar, but no one is in sight.

“You check the library again at the end of the hall. I’ll check the bedroom.”

Fuck.

I scramble and quietly dive under the king-size bed. Keeping my eye on the door, I take up my post, looking for either of them.

Anthony makes an appearance and lingers in the doorway.

“Oh, Floooooower.”

A sob threatens to leave me, but I bite my tongue and swallow it down.

His feet carry him to the bathroom. “Clever, Flower. Very clever using the dumbwaiter.”

Shit. I must have left the cabinet open.

I squeeze my eyes shut and cover my mouth again. A silent shaky breath releases from my mouth.

Scanning the bathroom, he knocks around items in his search.

He hasn’t found me yet. He hasn’t found me yet.

“Hello, Flower.”

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