“Miles,” he shouted, bangingon the door so hard I could hear it rattling in the frame.
I didn’t want him tobreak in. I didn’t want this to be happening.
I wanted Gray. I wanted Grayhere to tell me everything was going to be okay, to stand between me and thisasshole and let me borrow his strength.
“Open the goddamn door,Miles,” he said, all trace of patience gone from his voice.
John was scared. The thingabout people who were scared was that they were unpredictable.
He banged on the door again,and this time I could hear the hinges creaking. How much more would it take?
Why hadn’t any of myneighbors come to see if I was okay?
Right. Because none of themknew me. None of them had any reason to confront a crazy man for my sake.
There was only one person inthe world whodid, and I’d told him to go away earlier.
But maybe it was still wortha shot.
I grabbed my phone from whereI’dleft it charging on the nightstand, quiet as a mouse, and texted Gray one word.
Help.
THIRTY
GRAY
Rudy (Miles’ Doorman):I thought youshould know that a man just stormed in here, right past me, and went to Miles’ floor. He mighthave been anyone, but I figured, since you were his bodyguard, I should tellyou.
MY STOMACH SANK as I readthe text. I was expecting more goading from Fox or Logan, not a warning thatMiles might have been in danger.
Maybe Rudy was beingdramatic. He’dseemed nice enough when I’d talked to him about anyone he might have seencoming or going who didn’t look like they belonged, and I got the feeling hewas kind of into me. It wasn’t impossible that he was just texting me for thechance to talk.
Lots of people lived inMiles’building, and there were five apartments per floor. Which meant at least fourother people who could have been this mystery man’s target.
All the same, I lengthenedmy stride a little, figuring it couldn’t hurt to get there sooner rather thanlater.
My phone buzzed again justas Miles’apartment building came into view.
Miles:help
I broke into a run, my heartclenching as the quiet desperation of the message washed over me. Miles wasscared. So scared he couldn’t even send an explanation.
Just a literal cry for help.
My lungs were burning by thetime I burst through the front door of the building and skidded on the marbletiles, nodding to Rudy, who looked pale and worried. He waved me through,though no force on the planet could have stopped me rushing for the elevators.
I had to get to Miles.
The elevator button lit upas I slammed it, but after a handful of heartbeats I pressed it again, and thenagain, impatient for it to come down.
Too impatient. It was on thefifth floor, and I was standing around in the lobby like an asshole while Mileswas alone and afraid.
The sign for the stairwellcaught my eye.
Emergencies only.
Well, thiswasanemergency.
