CHAPTER51
MILLER
Jack had been right,and I had been wrong. Ididneed a gun to protect myself, and I’d left it downstairs on the sofa like a dumbass. If I died tonight, it would be my own fault.
My own fault, and I’d be leaving so much undone. So much unsaid. Fearing for my life had given me a sudden clarity, but Jack would never know. I’d never get to hear him say my name again, call me Trouble, I’d never get tokisshim again…
All those thoughts flashed through my mind in a few seconds, followed by a sense of determination. Fuck dying.
I wasnotgoing to die tonight.
If someone was coming for me, I wasnotgoing to sit there as if I was nothing but target practice. I grabbed the letter opener as a makeshift weapon—hell, it had a pointy end, if nothing else—and crept closer to the door. I could hear those footsteps, quick and firm, heading straight toward the study.
I had to hide. Fast.
Under the desk? That would be thefirstplace they’d check.
Up against the wall, behind the door? That would be thesecondplace they’d check, but it was also my only other option. There were no other exits and no other places to conceal myself quickly.
I flattened myself against the wall as the door opened, thanking the universe for once for keeping me so damnskinny, and I had a second stroke of luck that whoever was coming into the room didn’t bang the door open against the wall. On the contrary, they opened it and let it go, so that it started to swing back, before I grabbed the handle and pulled it to the wall to help cover me.
I heard the sound of the light switch being flicked a few times.
“Goddamnit,” spat the intruder. Relief rushed through me, and I had to brace my knees so I didn’t sag against the door.
It was my father’s voice.
I’d heard him start the same way often enough:Goddamn it, Miller, followed inevitably by a question.Goddamn it, Miller, why can’t you just do what you’re told? Why can’t you just learn your lines? Why can’t you act like a professional? Why can’t you be more like your sister?
I was about to push the door away and reveal myself when I heard Jack’s voice in my head.
Be smart, Trouble.
I hesitated. My father was supposed to be in London. He’d told mehimselfthat he was in London during our phone call earlier today. There was no way in hell he could have gotten a flight back to LA in the few hours between when we’d last spoken and now.
So he’d lied to me. And…he’d wanted me out of the house tonight.
Why?
Be smart, Trouble.
I stayed where I was, my fingers slick with nervous sweat on the door handle. A moment later I heard a second set of footsteps approaching, and I tried to keep my breathing soft and steady as well, so I wouldn’t give my hiding spot away. I couldn’t help my sudden gasp, though, when the second person spoke.
“The lights are out all over. Must be the storm.”
This time Ididsag forward, my body falling heavily against the door, as I stumbled out. There was a high-pitched scream, and my father swore.
I fell to my knees in the middle of the study.
“Miller?” my father snapped. “I told you to get out of the house tonight! Goddamnit, Miller, why can’t you just do what you’re told?”
But I didn’t reply, didn’t even look at him. I stayed there on my knees staring at the silhouette in the doorway, at the woman who had screamed when I staggered out from behind the door, as thoughshewas the one who had any right to be terrified.
With trembling fingers, I put on my phone flashlight and held it up. She blinked and shied away from the light.
“Annie?” I croaked.
Her hair was a patchy yellow blonde, scraped back from her face in a ponytail. She wore no makeup. I hadn’t seen my sister barefaced for about ten years, and she seemed much younger. Much younger and, most importantly,alive.
