I don’t have time to answer before she’s unbuckled her seat belt and sprints out into the rain, holding her jacket above her head and laughing.
Dan’s next, the little 1812 drummer boy firmly in hand.
I’m last. I lock the vehicle after Sophie gets out and follow them to the back door.
Everyone’s still laughing until Margot walks into the house and screams.
13
HOME SECURITY (MARGOT)
Iknew something was off the second I walked in.
But it wasn’t until I saw the ceramic plate smashed on the kitchen floor that I understood why my senses were tingling.
The air was wrong.
Dan’s sneakers by the front door were nudged to one side.
The pantry door is open, when I distinctly remember closing it.
But the sight of that colorful shattered plate tells me beyond any doubt what my instinct whispered.
Someone paid us a visit.
And not for a friendly hello.
I don’t remember screaming, just the scratching in my throat.
My legs feel unstable, my hand trembling as I reach out to steady myself against the wall.
Holy shit, I should’ve known this day was too good to be true.
Too happy, too relaxed, too easy.
All the fear behind us, shrinking in the rearview mirror.
Idiot!
Whoever came lurking around the house before wasn’t done.
The danger isn’t over.
“What is it?” Kane pushes past, pressing his big, warm hand to the small of my back as he coldly assesses the scene.
I’m sure he feels it before he notices the plate, thewrongnessthat hit me from the second I opened that door.
It’s like watching a lion turn defensive.
His jaw tightens. His eyes narrow. All his features sharpen, stiffer and angrier and ready for a fight.
That makes me feel a bit safer, at least.
“Was it locked?” he growls.
There’s a feral edge in his voice that makes me shiver.
“Yes. I’m… I’m sure of it.” I stoop down to grab the keys I dropped on my way in. “I didn’t realize anything was wrong until—”
