This strange man who I only just met five minutes ago is going to kiss me.
This strange man who basically kidnapped me four minutes ago is going to kiss me.
This was madness.
The sarcastic tilt of his mouth, as if he was in on some secret amusement. The strength of his arms around me after weeks of being so scared and so alone. I could almost trick myself into believing everything was going to be okay.
But it would not be okay.
Nothing was okay.
Madison’s face flashed behind my eyes.
Before his lips could reach mine, I turned my face sharply to the side.
His lips grazed my ear, sending a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold down my spine. “Have it your way, my little bird. Later.”
Later.
I couldn’t decide if that was a promise or a threat.
Greyson stepped back and shrugged out of his suit jacket. He draped it over my shoulders and then wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. The spicy scent of his cologne drifted over me as the comforting warmth of his jacket chased away the chill.
With me pressed along his side, he moved with decisive steps toward a silver Mercedes. Pulling the keys from his pocket, he clicked the button to unlock the door.
Before I could get in, shouts from the other side of the parking lot captured our attention.
I turned to see Madison and Pierce.
What the hell was going on? Why was she outside the courthouse…with him?
I lurched forward, but Greyson’s arm around my waist stopped me. “What the fuck?”
“Get in the car, Hailey.” His tone was deep and even.
Uncaring when his coat slipped from my shoulders and fell over his restraining arm, I clawed at his wrist. “Let me go! I have to go to her!”
There were more shouts. Several guards appeared. Guns drawn.
The first shot cracked the air and my knees buckled. My hand covered my mouth to stifle a horrified scream as more gunfire pierced the air.
Straining against Greyson’s iron grip, I helplessly watched Madison and Pierce duck against his car.
There was another volley of gunfire.
This time Madison fell forward and out of sight, blocked by Pierce’s body and the open passenger door.
They hit her.
They had killed her.
The scream that tore out of me didn’t sound human.
Then everything went black.
CHAPTER 17
MADISON
