“He should have let her stay in Haven.”
“She’s safer with the Knights. You know that.”
Aiden nodded. “The Albanians almost got her the last time.”
“And I diffused the situation.” I tapped his back in reassurance. “I will give my life for your sister. So will the rest of the Knights. You know how much our Queen means to us.”
“Which is why I didn’t argue when Luca ordered you to bring her back to Devil’s Creek. I agree she’s safer here. But I wish she didn’t have to marry Luca and become Queen.”
“Aiden, enough. We’ve already gone over this. There’s a hierarchy in our world. Alex will become the Queen of The Devil’s Knights whether you approve. She will marry Luca and have his children. That is the natural order.”
“Fine, whatever. Let’s go before someone sees us together.”
We grabbed our paint supplies, stuffed the cans into a backpack, and moved through the back alleys of Beacon Bay like wraiths. On our way back to the car, I heard a loud crack, followed by a few male grunts. The unmistakable sound of a woman yelling stopped me dead in my tracks. She screamed for help.
Aiden tapped me on the arm. “Did you hear that?”
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Fourteen
Rhiannon
As I stepped outside The Ink Yard, I glanced around the vacant street, gripping the cell phone in my hand. My father’s driver dropped me off for my shift and promised to come back at ten o’clock. I was only ten minutes later than expected. It was unlike Leighton to leave me hanging.
I begged my old boss for my job back. Mickey was looking for a new artist, and I didn’t have any time to waste. Not with Sean coming for my hand in marriage at the end of the month. So I jumped at the chance to get my chair back. My client list had either moved or were now with other artists. I had to settle for walk-ins and people Mickey threw my way when he was too busy.
The past week had gone by without any issues, as if I lived a normal life. Dad left me alone and let me go back to my old job since I agreed to marry Sean. It would never come to that. I was only biding my time at the tattoo studio until I earned enough money to run.
Beacon Bay was eerily quiet at this hour, so still it send a wave of anxiety through my chest. I considered calling Leighton for a ride and dismissed the thought. I lived ten blocks away and could get myself home without my father’s assistance. The wind whipped into a frenzy and long strands of hair blew into my mouth, sticking to my lipstick. I peeled the hair from my lips and tucked it behind my ears.
As I walked down Market Street, I thought I heard footsteps behind me. They were light, though loud enough that I knew someone was following me. I sucked in a deep breath, my chest heavy from breathing so hard. This wasn’t the first time someone had followed me. It wasn’t the first time someone tried to kill me.
I thought about the night my mother was kidnapped. How my father’s enemies had almost gotten me, too. Years of looking over my shoulder should have taught me a lesson. But a part of me liked the chase. It got the blood pumping through my veins.
Fear made me feel alive.
My father had a lot of enemies. I wondered if it was even safe to go home. Was Leighton late because we were under attack? With six more blocks to go, I flew down the hill, using the momentum to gain speed. The soles of my shoes burned, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to end up like my mother.
I bolted down the street, and shoes slapped on the pavement behind me. The adrenaline compelled me to keep going, burning through my body like an inferno. Thankfully, I wore sneakers shorts that made it easier for me to run.
He picked up his pace. I glanced over my shoulder to get a look at him. It was too dark to make out all of his features. He didn’t look familiar. He reached for my arm, his fingers sliding down my skin. I shoved him away from me, desperate to gain an advantage. For the first time in my life, I wished I had the sense to conceal a gun in my bag. I didn’t like carrying them in public, not unless it was necessary.
“Help,” I yelled, hoping someone would hear me. I shouted again at the top of my lungs, repeating my plea until I couldn’t catch my breath.
My throat burned from the fire ripping through my chest. I wasn’t in terrible shape, but it had been a while since the last time I had to run for my life. Knowing the town like the back of my hand gave me a slight advantage. I cut through the Feltons backyard and hopped onto the half-wall that separated the pool from their beautiful garden.