pressed closer to the stone face, trying to make myself as small as possible. It was a futile effort. You can’t hide a five-foot, eight-inch tall, catsuit-covered woman on an eight-inch ledge.
Did I mention I’m not great under pressure?
Jax put an arm around the back of my waist, for comfort or safety, I wasn’t sure. I shifted slightly, distracted with the close contact. His arm was warm and hard, and a small part of me enjoyed the touch. Jax was an innocent in all this. I still didn’t know why he was there, but I did know he should have never been caught up in my mess. I drew in a breath to whisper that I was sorry, but he stopped me.
“Hush.” His breath felt warm against my ear as he whispered the command. “They will see the open window soon.”
I ignored the shiver his words conjured. I’d rather jump from five stories than let Luke find me.
Almost on cue, that raspy voice called, “Hey, did you check the window?”
I heard someone scramble toward the window. As it slid open, I was desperate for the night to swallow us whole. Bile rose in my throat as the thought burned through me.
I saw a shaved head poke out and look both directions. Luke’s cold eyes scanned the area, and I could almost feel that sharp gaze cut over me. His image wavered as I forgot to breathe, and I waited for the pain and oblivion that always followed Luke. I squeezed my eyes shut as fear wrenched me back to the past.
I stood before my father, hands clasped in front of me, eyes on the floor. He was angry again.
I tried not to cry. He hated it when I cried. He called me a sniveling weakling. Not fit to share his blood. Mom said I had to be here because we were blood. My seven-year-old mind didn’t understand.
But I did understand his anger. It meant pain for me.
I heard a door creak open and dared to look up. A terrified whimper escaped before I could stop it. Father would be furious at the sound.
His fists clenched until the knuckles were white.
He never hit me. I always flinched, waiting for his blow. But he never hit me. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to.
“Luke, make sure the child understands her place,” Father bit out, raking me with one last, scathing look. Shaking his head in disgust, he walked out.
Luke watched him leave, a small, cruel smile playing at his lips. His eyes were lit with an unholy gleam, and he smoothed a hand over his bald head. “Well, well, Princess. Shall we play?”
Seven-year-old legs trembled, unable to run. No longer caring about Father’s wrath, I opened my mouth to scream. I knew I shouldn’t. Luke loved it when I screamed.
His smile grew wider.
Tears streamed down my face and I wondered how long it would take for the darkness to come this time.
“Anything?” the unknown voice inside called, jarring me back to the present. I dared to open my eyes. This time, they were clear and dry.
“Nope.” Luke’s shaved head disappeared. Moments later, their voices trailed away, still grumbling.
I remained still, confused. Luke never walked away when his prey was in sight. Maybe this was a new, sick twist of his. Psych out the prey before you torture and kill it.
I hated him with every fiber of my soul.
Almost choking on my rage and fear, I held still, waiting to be discovered. He’d be back. He always came back. Maybe he’d left to call the police. I waited for the sound of a security alarm or sirens.
After a full two minutes of quiet, I worked up the courage to whisper, “What the hell just happened? Are they gone?”
Jax was silent. His body stiffened at my question. The darkness made his fierce expression even harsher. It was not a happy look.
When he finally spoke, his voice stretched between us, low and deadly. “How long have you been able to shadow?”
I wasn’t sure what he meant, so I didn’t answer. I was still shocked we hadn’t been seen.
With a muttered curse, he grabbed me around the waist with both arms and jumped. I didn’t have time to draw in a breath to scream before he gently set me down on the street, five stories below.
I gurgled and stared up to where we had just been standing. “What…I…I…”
His expression was grim when he faced me. “We need to talk.”