“Missy.” The voice becomes more menacing. “If you don’t open the door soon, I’ll let myself in.”
My eyes snap open, and see Kyler unclipping his gun’s magazine. “Fuck, what are we going to do?” I whisper to him. Panic crawling up my throat and making me feel as if I can’t breathe. My breath comes in short bursts.
His gaze goes to the side of the magazine, then he nods and slides it back into his Glock. “Let him come.”
What, let him come? No. No. My throat closes almost completely from fear and my voice squeaks as I ask, “What if he’s not alone?” My hands tremble. To hide it, I wrap my arms around my waist. I’m too scared to peek around the corner. What if he sees me? Maybe he’ll shoot me right in the head, like Kyler thinks he’s going to do. I try to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and concentrate on that.Do not hyperventilate, come on.
My chest squeezes painfully and I can’t get in any air. I open my eyes and manage to suck in my breath.No. Stay calm.I place my trembling hand on my throat.
“Layne, honey, don’t panic.” Kyler grabs my arm while still holding his Glock firmly with his other hand.
Focusing on him is tough. The calm gray of his eyes eases the grip on my neck and I can finally catch something of a breath.
Right then, the glass shatters into the hallway, and I shrink down, bringing my arms in front of my head. My butt hits the step above me and I crawl against the wall.
Kyler’s hand slips off my arm and a heartbeat later the dull sound of gunfire reaches my ears. “Fuck, where is he?” Kyler’s voice.
With each shot, my body shakes.
I peek through my fingers and see Kyler getting his phone. He taps it frantically a few times and then puts the thing on the stairs. He fires another shot around the corner of the wall.
My heart pounds in my chest, panic returning in full force, and I make myself as small as I can. What do they want from me?
The door swings open, banging against the wall, and this time the bullets come our way.
Tears run down my cheeks as my heart almost seems to pop out of my chest. My hands are clammy and my fingers are trembling so hard I can feel it on my head, which I’m holding.
What if Kyler gets hit? What if I get hit?Oh my god, I’m going to die.
This is it.
Everything I was afraid of before is going to happen. I’m curled up on the stairs, crying and out of breath, waiting for it to happen.
“Get behind me, Layne.” Kyler’s fingers close around my upper arm and I’m pushed behind his broad shoulders. I immediately lower myself back down onto the step behind him, making myself as small as possible again.
How is this my life? Shit, shit, shit. Everything tingles and I tremble all over my body. I don’t even dare look through my fingers anymore.
“Mrs. Hayes, this makes no sense. If you would just—”
Kyler fires and a lot of swearing sounds. “Forget about it, dude. She’s not going anywhere with you.”
With a bang, I hear a bullet hit the wall behind me. My body shakes and I scream. “Shit, Ky. Please. I press the palms of my hands harder against my eyelids until I see white stars.
The click of a new magazine sounds close by and something falls with a thud on the stairs.
Shit, Kyler. Carefully I slide my middle finger and ring finger apart and peek. As soon as I see his jeans-clad legs in front of me, relief races through me and I cover my eyes again. Even before I really close them, another click sounds. Then two shots that are definitely coming from Kyler.Please make it stop. I’ll do anything.
I don’t even believe in God, but I swear I’ll pray every day if this stops.
Twelve
Motherfucker.Hewaitedforus. There’s no other way. Hopefully Brooks heard what’s going on and he will be on his way. If that asshole who invaded here puts a mark on her, I won’t take responsibility for my actions. I would’ve dealt with that fucker ages ago if Layne wasn’t hiding behind me like a scared little bird right now.
“Layne, honey, hold on.” Anger and the urge to protect her tears through me. My muscles tremble and heat courses through my body. I work my jaw and fire another shot in the bastard’s direction.
The sound of motorcycles approaching causes my heartbeat to calm somewhat. Until a bullet whizzes past my ear. I reach formy head and blood trickles down my fingers as Layne screams behind me once more.
That bastard’s hit my fucking ear. A whooshing sound rushes through my head and all my mind comes up with is that he needs to go six feet under.
