Page 148 of Sunrise

“I killed him.” She repeats, her voice rising with panic. “I’m going to go to prison for murder.”

“Shh.” Vault wraps her in his arms even though she whimpers. “No, you’re not.”

“You hit him in the head with a chair, not a sledgehammer.” D storms back to his bike. “I’m goingto take care of it.”

I know D. He thinks he can wipe the incriminating evidence away like he has in the past. But if the cops are already on their way, there isn’t enough time for all that. Plus, this old lady is a witness.

We’re fucked.

“Are you sure you killed him?” I ask delicately.

Sophie’s chin trembles and fat tears roll down her cheeks. “I… I don’t know. I ran away so fast, I didn’t stick around to check and make sure.”

Fear slices through me.

“We need eyes on the house,” I say as ice shoots through my veins. Racing towards the home that monster is in, I ignore Sophie screaming for me to come back.

I can’t. Not until I see with my own eyes that he’s dead.

Jesus, he was so close to her home. How long has he been here?

I run around to the back of the house and see a bay window’s been busted out. I’m guessing that’s how she escaped.

Damn, my girl is so strong and resourceful.

Creeping closer, I try to watch my steps, so I don’t fuck up the crime scene when the sound of something dragging from inside hits my ears.

He’s still alive.

Chapter 47

Vault

“She was running through the street, screaming for help. I came out to see what the ruckus was for, and she collapsed in my yard.”

I listen to the old woman retell how she found our girl.

“I called an ambulance when I saw how banged up she was. Couldn’t drag her inside on my own.”

Sirens grow louder as the cops and an ambulance turn onto the street.

A loudpop!hits my ears.

My heart stops.

Ryker looks at me, eyes wide because he heard it too.

Dmitri blows out a long exhale. “Shit.”

“What was that?” Sophie panics. She grips my arm, her nails cutting into my skin. “Alex, what was that?” Pure terror fills her eyes, and she stands up. The blanket falls off her shoulders, pooling by her feet. “Knox!” she screams, stumbling across the yard. “KNOX!”

“I’m over here, baby.” He seems to come out of nowhere, his expression unreadable. Sophie trips over her own two feet as she runs to him. “Shh. I got you. You’re safe.” He scoops her into his arms and carriesher back to us.

My heart can’t find its fucking rhythm.

The police finally pull in and it’s a blur of motions, speed, lights, and questions.

One officer runs back to his car and heads for the house Sophie was held captive in.

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