“They’ll slaughter her.” Declan exclaims.
“Go. NOW,” I scream. Killer with no hesitation, darts out of the room.
Declan walks up and wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead in farewell. Then he slowly backs away. His eyes scan every inch of my face trying to memorize it.Without a word, he steps out the door and into the dark night.
Titus is just facing me with his arms crossed over his broad chest. I can’t look at him, so instead I just stare out the door trying to hold the tears back. I know I wanted them to leave but I also texted them just to see someone who I always felt safe with. It was a selfish move and only put them in danger.
“Fuck this,” he says as he moves in front of me blocking my view of the door.
I still don’t look at him. His finger curls under my chin forcing my head up. I have no choice but to look into those sad disappointed eyes. With all the stubbornness I have left, I pop out my hip, cross my arms and lift my chin off his finger. I decide I’ll look him in the eye, but it’s my choice not his.
“Alley,” he sighs, caressing my cheek with a touch of a lover.
“What,” I roll my eyes in response.
“Look, I know you are going to do what you want. I also know they will catch you no matter what you do or howfar you run. Once they have their sights on someone, that person can’t escape them.”
“Well, I fought them off once. I can do it again. Also, I am good at running, remember?” I laugh through the lump in my throat.
“I wouldn’t say you are good at running. Those little corgi legs don’t get you far,” he laughs.
I rush to hug him and bury my face in his chest one last time. I am done with this conversation. He needs to leave before Sebastian comes back for round two.
“I’m sorry, Trouble. You deserved a better life than this one,” He whispers into my hair.
“Thank you for patching me up. Now go get home to your wife. She probably misses you.” I push away trying to clear my tears. He steps back and lets his hands drop to his sides.
“Alley, one last thing, they will break you both mentally and physically,” he warns as he starts to walk towards the door.
“Titus?”
“Yeah?”
“No one can break the devil, but I really want to see them try.”
He chuckles and smiles before he disappears into the night.
Tears silently roll down my face as my heart sinks to the floor, locking the door. I let my back slide down the cold surface, and once my ass hits the carpet I move my knees to my chest and let myself breakdown.
I wasn’t sure how tonight was going to go. Hell, honestly I thought Titus would ignore my text, but he didn’t. I’m not sure if that is a blessing or not. Now I know who is after me and the fear is at an all-time high. Running is not an option; it’ll just put more people in danger.
With a sigh, I bury my head into the crook of my arm and try to breathe. All the faces I’m leaving behind run through my mind. Who knows what they’ll think? Will they look for me? Will they think that I couldn’t take it anymore and went somewhere quiet to die in peace?
I know Marney would be suspicious and raise hell to find me along with my mother, but that would lead to themgetting hurt too or worse. Sebastian would slaughter them just like he did to his roommates and their girlfriends. I rush to my duffle bag, digging out my phone. I turn it on and go into the bathroom to splash water on my face and breathe before I make this phone call.
The loud ring goes off when I set it down on the counter. Tears start to fill my eyes again when I see the caller ID. Taking a deep breath trying to control my emotions, I answer the phone.
“Found you, gorgeous. Now, you have two options. Option one, you can come out of the room and surrender willingly.” He pauses, for what I am assuming is for dramatic effect.
“What’s option 2, Sebastian,” I ask, surprisingly calm.
“Clever girl,” he laughs. “Your little boyfriends help you figure it out?”
“What is option 2,” I repeat a little less calmly.
“Option 2 is I bust down that excuse for a door and drag you out kicking and screaming,” his voice darkens. “Your choice.”
“Hmmm,” my turn to pause for dramatic effect. “We both know I never preferred the easy option.”