She’s blinking too fast, the edges of shock creeping in again.
“Sera, do you understand me?”
Uncertainty is written all over her face. She looks like she’s standing on the edge of a cliff, and I am definitely not a safe option.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I repeat.
Every second feels loud, ticking in my ears. If someone comes out the back door, or around the corner, I’ll have to kill them to protect her. I realize the thought doesn’t bother me as much as it should, but I’m not sure how I’d explain a third body.
“I know you’re in shock, and I wish I had time to explain this to you. But in the meantime, I’m going to need you to go with your gut.” Her head gives a little shake. “I’m well aware of what your brother is capable of. If I do anything to you, he’ll turn my intestines into a belt.”
It’s another exaggeration. I’m not afraid of her brother, but the reminder seems to settle her.
“He wouldn’t take the time to make a belt,” The tiny whisper makes my lips twitch.
“You don’t have any reason to trust me,” I add. “But if you’re going to get out of this alive, youneedto.”
She shakes her head, dark hair swinging forward to shield half her face again. I miss the full view of her eyes more than I should.
“Do you know who my father is?” I ask quietly. “What they’ll do to you if they find out you killed him?”
She flinches, another tiny whimper escaping.
Guilt pricks in my chest, but there’s no time to be gentle.
“You can freak out later. Right now, we have work to do, so get your shit together.”
Three fast blinks. Then she sucks in a jagged breath.
“How?” Her voice is a little stronger.
Relief loosens my shoulders. She’s not the only one at risk now. Helping her paints a giant bullseye on my back.
I don’t reconsider for even a moment.
“My car’s at the curb,” I explain. “Black Audi, four-door. I need you to circle the block and pull into the alley.”
I pull my keys from my pocket, letting the fob dangle between us. “Here.”
She hesitates, and I don’t blame her. Her nervous system must be a wreck.
“We either work together, Sera, or we’re both fucked,” I say evenly. “Do you want to live?”
I don’t know which of my words penetrate her shock, but her face hardens, jaw firming. Her pulse is pounding clearly in her throat behind the marks my father left, but she steps closer, stopping just outside of my reach.
“Toss them.”
Smart girl.
I throw her the fob, and she catches it easily despite the tremor in her hands. “Is there anyone inside waiting for you?”
“What?”
“Did you come with anyone? Are they going to wonder where you went?”
“No, I’m alone.” Something in her tone catches my attention, but I don’t have the time to think about the sad note or why a young girl like her would be at a club like this by herself.
I step back and to the side, and after one more wary look, she slips past me and jogs barefoot toward the alley’s mouth.
