The moment I step inside the apartment door, I know something isn’t right. A cool breeze with the scent of the night air travels over me.
I flip the light on and stand motionless.
The gentle sway of the kitchen blinds catches my eye. Ineverleave a window open. It’s then I see the broken glass and realize the back door is ajar.
Terror overwhelms me, and all I can think of is that Snake has found me. I reach blindly for the doorknob, my entire body shaking.
Before I can get it open, a man in black presses against me. He’s wearing gloves and a ski mask. I know by his shape, this is not Snake.
And somehow, that makes me even more terrified.
His gloved hand presses tight over my mouth, and the scent of a man’s cologne or body wash hits me. I swear I recognize it.
Ray.
His other hand moves to my throat, and he grips it tightly, squeezing.
“You know how easily I could end you?” he sneers, and there’s a coldness in his eyes that wasn’t there before. It’s like he’s a different person—a man with no soul beyond those dark eyes, and I suddenly wonder if he’s capable of so much morethan stealing from the till. Breaking and entering, perhaps rape or murder?
I twist my weight and drop, throwing him off balance, then shove him away and knee him in the groin. He doubles over, cursing.
It has to be Ray, but I don’t dare say his name, and I don’t waste a second; I dash out the door and almost fall down the stairs in my hurry to get to the bar.
Jackie looks up from wiping down the top, and her face changes when she sees me, my hand to my throat, gasping.
“My God, are you all right?”
I stand there, trembling and shake my head. “Someone broke into the apartment. He grabbed me, but I got away.”
The other two assistants look at each other, and Jackie points at the stairs. “Well, don’t just stand there, go up there.”
They look at each other, then one grabs a baseball bat from under the bar, and they slowly go up the stairs.
A minute later, they return.
“There’s no one up there, but the back door was wide open, and the fire escape was lowered.
“He got away,” I whisper and meet Jackie’s eyes. “Where’s Ray?”
“He left a couple of hours ago. Said he had something to take care of. Why?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”
Aaron starts to pick up the phone. “I’m calling the cops.”
“No,” I bark, and the three of them look at me. I lift a brow. “The MC. No cops. They’ll deal with it.”
Aaron rolls his eyes and puts the phone down. “Have it your way.”
“It’s not my way,” I snap. “It’stheirway. You don’t like it, find another job.”
“You’re pretty mouthy for a girl who’s only here temporarily. Least that’s what Ray said.”
“Go to hell, Aaron,” I snap.
He points at the stairs. “Look, kid. I just went up there with a baseball bat to defend you, so watch your mouth.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just really upset.”
