Chapter 1 - The Broken Sanctuary
I stared at the heavy wooden door long after the echo of slamming it shut faded into absolute silence.
My chest heaved as I struggled to pull oxygen into my burning lungs.
Lena was crying softly against my hip, completely confused by my sudden panic.
Ash simply stared at the door with his wide amber eyes.
I knew I had to pack our things right this very second.
I carried the twins to the small bedroom and pulled my dusty duffel bag from beneath the mattress.
My hands shook violently as I stuffed small sweaters and tiny socks into the canvas opening.
Luca had actually found me.
The man who could trace a ghost through a hurricane had finally caught my scent.
I zipped the bag and rushed toward the living room window to check the street.
I carefully pulled back the edge of the curtain to look down at the wet pavement.
The heavy rain was still falling over the quiet town of Gray Hollow.
Luca’s sleek black car was completely gone.
The street was entirely empty.
I let out a shaky breath that felt exactly like a sob.
Maybe I still had enough time to slip out through the bakery kitchen downstairs and borrow the owner's old truck.
I grabbed the duffel bag and ushered the twins toward the back wooden staircase.
We crept down the steps in total silence.
The sweet smell of cinnamon and yeast still lingered heavily in the dark bakery.
I pushed the swinging kitchen door open.
Mr. Pike was standing by the counter, holding a black pen.
But he was not alone.
Luca was sitting casually on a flour-dusted stool.
He was sliding a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills across the counter.
Mr. Pike looked at me with deep regret in his eyes.
He signed the paper and handed a ring of keys to my husband.
Luca slowly turned his head to look at me.
His dark eyes held no anger, only a terrifying, predatory calm.
He told Mr. Pike to leave the bakery immediately and never come back.
The old man hurried out into the pouring rain without saying a single word.
May you like
Luca stood up and firmly locked the front door.
We were completely trapped.
