Page 200 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“And don’t bloody come back,” she bellows.

With his still-standing bodyguard behind the wheel, Mason rolls down the window to stick his head out. The maniacal smile on his lips sets my teeth on edge.

“Always a pleasure, Mrs Sanchez.”

We all watch them reverse backwards, knocking over several of Lola’s plant pots along the way. The language muttered under her breath would make even Killian blush.

None of us speak again until the car has turned onto the mountain road leading out of the valley. Mason gives us a wave before he vanishes into the forest.

“Willow,” Lola keens. “Are you okay?”

I brush her worried hands aside. “Arianna.”

Across the clearing, my little girl breaks free from Miranda’s grasp. We both run towards the other, meeting in the middle of the flower-strewn grass. I skid to a halt and gather her into my arms with a choked wail.

“Mummy!” she cries.

“Shhh. I’m here, baby.”

“I’m sorry.” Her body shakes with sobs in my arms. “I saw the car, and I thought it was Daddy. I hid just like you taught me to.”

“You did good.” I stroke her hair. “I’m proud of you.”

“Is Daddy coming?”

“No, Ari.”

Keeping her pinned against my chest, I glance up at Rachel and Miranda. They’re holding each other tight, looking ready to bolt as far away from us as possible. Even Harold looks unnerved, though he smiles at me.

Behind them, all of the children have snuck out of the barn and gathered in the garden to watch the commotion. Aalia is with them, petrified and crying her eyes out as she holds them back from approaching us.

Shame punches me in the chest. I did this to them. This is my fault. I’ve brought trouble to their home… to all of their lives. The sleepy town of Briar Valley is in danger because of me. I never should have come here.

“I’m scared,” Arianna weeps.

My thudding heart shatters in my chest, breaking into irreparable pieces. “I’ll make us safe, I promise. He won’t find us again.”

EPILOGUE - KILLIAN

BLINK TWICE - JOY OLADOKUN

Letting the axe hit the demolished block of wood, I swipe hair from my eyes. The darkness has kept me company for several hours, along with the torment of my thoughts. Endlessly playing, over and over again, they refuse to abandon me.

Danger.

Danger.

Danger.

Each thud of the axe hammers that word into my brain. It’s a sick, taunting mantra, tattooing fear into the fabric of my weary heart. I’ve never felt fear like the moment Micah called and told us Arianna was gone.

We tucked them both into bed to let them rest. The poor kid was hysterical after the afternoon’s events. Still trembling, Willow was hollow-eyed as she whispered goodnight and climbed in with her little girl.

It hurt to see them both like that, returning to the terror that drove them here. Nothing we said could fix it. Not even Lola could get through to her granddaughter.

Taking a long draw from my beer, I glance at the cabin across the road. The lights are still off. Zach and Micah left both girls to sleep a while ago. I know we should give Willow some space, but fuck. That’s the last thing I want to do right now.

We almost lost them.

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