Page 3 of Corrupted Lies

Right as Jake’s hand reached out to grab her door handle, the shrill sound of the fire alarm began to shriek through the building.

There was no doubt about it, there was definitely a fire out there.

Faulty wiring or something?

No.

That couldn’t be it.

She’d only just had an inspection of the building done to ensure everything was in tiptop working condition, and that had included the entire electrical system.

“Open the door, Jake,” she said urgently when he didn't fling it open so they could figure out what was going on and get out.

“Can't.”

The simple word shot like an arrow of fear straight through her chest, sending icy tentacles throughout her body.

“Wh-what do y-you mean?” she asked, her voice shaking as her entire body trembled.

It wasn't like she couldn’t figure that out on her own.

What elsecouldhe mean?

Can't meant he couldn’t open the door, only neither of them had locked it when they came in. She hadn't thought it wasnecessary, and she was anxious to help her best friend carry the burdens that were clearly weighing heavily upon him.

“I mean, someone locked us in here and started a fire to kill us,” Jake said.

Kill them?

Wasn't that quite a leap?

There could be any number of reasons why the door wouldn't open, and while she had, of course, assumed someone must have started the fire, she hadn't been thinking deliberately. She’d assumed someone had burned something in the kitchen, it was only right next to her office, so it was the most logical conclusion.

Who would want to kill her?

Her gym was successful. They ran a fabulous in-person as well as online do-at-home sessions. They had a great reputation, a wonderful clientele, they catered to everyone, and people could choose how to use the spaces there. There was no reason that anyone should want to hurt her.

Then it dawned on her.

The men Jake had spoken about. The ones he was clearly afraid of, and she wasn't used to seeing Jake afraid of anything. He’d always been her big, strong protector. Ever since she was four years old, and he’d come wiggling through a hole in their joined fences because he’d heard her crying. That day, he’d made her feel special when he’d picked a dozen flowers from her garden and somehow managed to weave them into a crown. When he’d placed it on her head and declared her the flower garden fairy queen, he’d forever earned himself a place in her heart.

Today, he hadn't brought smiles and peace into her world. It was the opposite in fact.

He’s brought danger right to her door.

Not that she blamed him. It wasn't his fault that someone had targeted his dad and stepmom, and he and his brothers deserved answers, they deserved the truth.

She just didn't want to die for them to get that truth.

It wasn't until she saw Jake putting his cell phone back in his pocket, then reaching out to clasp her shoulders, giving her a gentle shake, that Alannah realized she’d been panicking.

Now that she did realize it, she found her breath was sawing in and out of her chest, and the trembling in her limbs had morphed to full-on violent shaking.

“Come on, sunshine, stick with me,” Jake soothed in a voice she rarely heard him use. He was her best friend, but he’d come by the nickname grumpy honestly. His face always looked like it was scowling, although she knew, in fact, he wasn't actually frowning at anything, and he had a gruff, no-nonsense way of speaking.

Usually.

But not today.

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