Page 6 of Deadly Forever

Emma was a nervous wreck and it took all of Mandy’s energy to force the anxious woman out of her wedding dress and into her street clothes. Sophie managed the same in less than a minute – and almost seemed relieved to be out of the dress – but Ally needed help getting out of her huge frock. Mandy made sure to zip all of the dresses back into their garment bags – which seemed ridiculous given the fact that the mall appeared to be under siege – but Mandy didn’t want to risk the dresses being ruined on top of everything else.

“We’re staying right here,” Sophie said, angling her body so she could stare out from the dressing room hallway and watch the mall floor. It was completely empty, which meant mall patrons were either being evacuated or hiding. She had no idea which was the better option because she had no way of knowing what was happening. “We’re safer here. Ally, switch off the light so no one can see us back here if they enter the store.”

“No, don’t do that,” Emma said, her hand flying to her mouth as she vehemently shook her head. “It will be dark.”

Mandy buttoned her jeans – her dress was packed away and safe, too – before moving closer to Emma. She was sympathetic to the woman’s plight, but she also knew that darkness was their friend in this instance. “I know that you’re upset but … we have to do it.”

“My father used to lock me in the basement and turn off the lights after … well, after,” Emma said, referring to her rapist father and the horrible ways he tortured her while growing up. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to sit here in the dark without panicking.”

“You’ll be fine,” Mandy soothed, inclining her head in Ally’s direction so her friend would know to switch off the lights. The second the dressing room was plunged into darkness, Mandy gripped Emma’s hand as the woman sucked in a steadying breath. “It’s going to be okay, Emma. I promise.”

“It definitely is,” Ally said, moving closer to Emma. “I’m sure the police are already here. We heard those two gunshots and they sounded as if they came from the other end of the mall. Everything is probably already handled and they’re just working their way through the mall and clearing one store at a time.”

“I hope so.” Emma’s voice was shaky and Mandy worried she wouldn’t be able to hold it together.

“Sit on the floor,” Sophie instructed. “Lean your back against the wall and put your head between your knees. That will keep you centered.”

“How do you know that?” Emma asked, legitimately curious.

“It was one of the coping techniques Peter taught me when I was a kid,” Sophie admitted. “He wanted me to be able to handle myself if I was ever in a bad position.”

“Well, this definitely qualifies,” Mandy quipped, making a face as her phone rang in her pocket. “Crap.”

“Everyone turn off their phones,” Sophie barked. Mandy didn’t miss the irritated look on Sophie’s face when her phone flared to life in the darkened alcove. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”

Mandy ignored Sophie’s admonishment and took two steps away before answering the phone. She kept her voice low but her heart rolled when she recognized the name scrolling across her screen. “James?”

“Hey, baby.” James sounded relieved. “Where are you?”

Mandy didn’t have to ask whether or not he knew what was happening at the mall. She could tell by his tone that he did. “We’re hiding in the dressing rooms of the bridal shop,” she replied, keeping her voice low. “We turned off the lights … and now we’re going to turn off our phones because we don’t want to make any noise.”

“I’m sorry about that,” James said. “I needed to hear your voice, though. Also, I thought you might be able to give us some information. Have you seen anything?”

Mandy shook her head and it took her a moment to realize James couldn’t see the silent response through the phone. “We haven’t seen anything. The woman at the store said the mall sent out a security blast, but we haven’t seen or heard anything since an initial two gunshots right after she told us. Right now we’re just hiding.”

“That’s good, baby,” James said. “I need you to stay there unless you don’t have a choice. Don’t try to escape. Don’t go outside to help anyone … even though I know that will be your first instinct. Stay there. All of you need to stay there and remain together. Do you understand?”

“I do. Where are you?”

“We’re in the parking lot,” James replied. “The sheriff is here and he’s going to utilize us as part of his tactical team because he needs as many sets of eyes as possible when we make entry.”

“Make entry?” Mandy’s voice hopped. “You could get shot.”

“We’re wearing vests and are perfectly safe,” James said. “You’re the one I’m worried about. You stay where you are. Do you understand me?”

Mandy pressed her lips together, frustrated.

“Mandy?”

“I understand,” Mandy said finally. “Don’t get hurt.”

“Right back at you, baby,” James said. He sounded calm. “I will be there as soon as I can. I promise.”

“I’m going to hold you to that promise.”

“I’m coming,” James said. “I will be there before you know it. Have faith.”

“I love you, James.”

“I love you more than anything,” James said. “We’re on the move. We’ll be together soon.”