“Run!” I scream.
He starts after me, Judge at my side, but the car is faster, and it screeches to a halt in front of the house.
I know who it is before they ever step out of the car. Intuition. Dread.
I’m not ready.
Chase grabs hold of me, shoving me behind him as Judge barks and growls toward the parked car.
“Chase,” I pull on him.
“I promised,” He snaps.
“No,” I cry, “Move, Chase.”
Rio steps out of the car, dressed pristinely in a pair of black suit pants and a white button-down, and he holds a gun in his hand. The sun kisses his skin, and his handsome face pulls into a knowing smile.
“Elena,” He purrs, “I missed you.”
This is the man I trusted.
The man I gave my body to.
He was meant to be my friend. A lover.
Now he is twisted with hate.
He wanted more with me; he wantedpower, and I didn’t give it to him.
“Rio,” I try to step around Chase, but he doesn’t let me pass.
“You always were a survivor,” Rio cocks his head, eyeing up Chase as he strolls closer, the gun lowered but I know damn well he’ll be quick to use it. “We’ve been searching for you for weeks.”
“Well, here I am,” I look beyond him, expecting to see my uncle or more of his men.
“It’s just me,” Rio smiles, “Because I’m the only one he trusted to get this done.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Chase snaps, “This is private property.”
“Chase,” I whisper, “You need to move.”
Rio gives him the once-over and dismisses him.
“You’ve been hiding from us,” Rio continues.
“How did you find me?”
“Such a quaint little town, isn’t it?” He speaks as if this is some casual, easy conversation when I know this is to toy with me. “Never even heard of Sierra Valley before, but it’s quiet. I like it. Perhaps I’ll get a lodge out here somewhere one day. I’ll give it to the locals though; they keep their lips sealed shut, but I eventually found someone willing to help.”
“Who?”
“Blonde, pretty,” Rio smirks, “I plan on visitingher once I’m through with you.”
Everly.
That fucking bitch.
And Knox doesn’t want me to kill her!? She sold me out.
