It made me sick to think how he conned me into thinking he was a good guy. He’d had me fooled.
“It’s red velvet,” Linda added. “My specialty. Everyone loves it.”
I wanted to scream out that I was there and for her to get help, but I slapped a hand over my mouthto keep quiet. Vincent was capable of anything, and I had no doubt he’d kill her so as to avoid having a witness. I refused to put her in danger.
But staying silent went against everything I stood for. Then again, this was a matter of life and death. I didn’t know what to do. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be in this situation. We were just normal people in Magnolia Grove, not mobsters or assassins. I didn’t realize how much of a bubble I’d been living in until now.
I kind of liked the bubble.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t what life was like for the rest of the world. The world could be dark and dangerous; I’d seen it on the news. I just never thought I’d experience it firsthand.
“Thank you for the cake,” Vincent said. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
It killed me to hear him talk to Linda like the gentleman he portrayed to be.
“I hope so. Take care, young man. I hope you enjoy your stay,” Linda responded.
My heart sank when I heard Vincent say his goodbyes and close the door. A part of me wondered if I’d ever see Linda or anyone else ever again.
I went back to the window to try opening it further, but footsteps pounded up the stairs. As fastas I could, I closed the curtains to both windows and shoved the tied blankets underneath the dresser.
I made it to the antique chair just in time for Vincent to open the door. It felt as if I’d ran a thousand miles in a matter of seconds. My body was on overdrive, the adrenaline kicking in for me to escape. But I couldn’t now … at least, not yet.
Vincent stepped into the room, but I refused to look at him. I kept my focus on the painting of a rose garden on the opposite wall.
“Let’s go downstairs. We need to talk,” he demanded, his voice sharp and demanding.
If I said no, I was pretty sure he’d force me. I didn’t want him touching me.
With a heavy sigh, I glared at him and stood. “Fine. Lead the way.”
Chapter 24
Ayla
Ifollowed Vincent downstairs, and he went straight to the living room. Linda’s cake was on the coffee table, wrapped in clear wrap and tied with a red ribbon. My stomach growled, and all I wanted to do was ravish it, but I ignored the starving pains.
Vincent sat down on the singular brown leather seat opposite the couch and motioned for me to sit. I did as he suggested, but I couldn’t stop peering out the front windows to see if anyone was there. All I could see was a long driveway and trees all around us. There were no other houses or a road in sight. I did remember hearing Linda saying to Vincent that this was the Hamricks’ house. The only thing I knew about this place was that it was just outside ofMagnolia Grove. Vincent wasn’t lying when he said that to me in the park yesterday. It was probably the only thing he hadn’t lied about.
“Tell me about Declan Parker,” Vincent ordered.
My attention snapped to him and I scoffed. “What do you mean?”
Vincent leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The way his dark eyes bore into mine made my blood run cold. “He works for the FBI. I want to know what he does for them.”
“I have no clue.”
Of course, that was a lie.
“Don’t lie to me,” he growled. “He’s part of a secret government group where they target people like me. I want to know who’s on that list.”
“How do you even know about that?” I asked.
His head cocked to the side, his expression one of shock. “Ah, so he actually told you what he is. He must really trust you. It’s hard to find a woman like that where I’m from.”
“That’s not shocking.”
He huffed. “Enough with the snide comments, Ayla. Tell me what you know.”
