Kian (Undercover Billionaire, #1)(71)

She wondered if she could run back to the kitchen and grab that knife before he had a chance to hurt Lily. She didn’t want to leave her niece, though. She couldn’t take that chance. Tears poured down her face as she faced this monster, who began to move toward her.

She backed up. She had to get him out of the room. She didn’t know what she would do beyond that, but she had to get him out of Lily’s room. He followed her, that evil smile on his face as he lifted his knife and ran the back of the blade across his neck, showing her what he planned on doing to her.

“Pamela deserved to die nice and slow, and so did her bastard brat,” the man said with another chuckle. Roxie froze in front of him. This was the man who’d killed her sister and unborn baby. This was the man who’d attacked Lily once already. He was back to finish the job.

“Why?” Roxie asked. She was hoping someone would pass by, someone would see something. Her curtains were open. She backed her way into the living room, praying a neighbor was walking their dog. He seemed oblivious to what she was doing. That was good. He was focused only on her. Even if he got her, she would scream and someone would come; someone would save her niece.

“She’s a slut who had to die,” he said as he cocked his head to the side. He was speaking in a matter-of-fact way, as if it were his duty to kill.

“Please don’t hurt Lily,” Roxie begged.

“What will you do for me to ensure I don’t?” he asked with evil delight.

“Anything,” Roxie said. “Let’s leave the house. You can take me.” She opened her arms, showing him she had nothing. She was his to do with as he pleased.

His lips turned up even more as he eyed her from head to toe.

“I like this house,” he told her. “You even left me a key to get in. That was so very nice of you.”

Roxie wanted to kick her own ass now. She knew a locked door wouldn’t have stopped a man like this, but if she hadn’t left the key out, then maybe she would have had a clue he was in the place; maybe she could have gotten away. If she’d listened to her instinct when she’d felt nervous at walking in the house, then maybe Lily wouldn’t be in mortal danger right now. This was in her hands now.

“Please, just take me,” she said, unable to control her tears now.

“Don’t move,” he commanded, his voice dropping, not a trace of humor there anymore.

Her body shook as he stepped toward her. She didn’t try to run. She wouldn’t leave this man alone with Lily. She couldn’t. He came and stood before her and ran the tip of his blade down her neck, scratching the skin. She didn’t make a sound.

He ran the blade down the V of her robe and nicked the top of her breast. She continued to shake, but she knew she was no match for this man.

“Open your robe,” he said, his voice husky as he gazed at her chest.

Roxie was definitely going to be sick. There was no doubt about it. She was about to get raped and murdered. She couldn’t think of a worse way to go. Her eyes burning, she reached for the sash of her robe. Maybe, just maybe, she could use the robe to grab the deadly knife and then fight him. Yes, he could overpower her, but if he wasn’t holding the knife, she could scream and pray her neighbors heard.

Just as she was beginning to undo the robe, her front door was smashed open against the wall, the wood shattering with the force. Roxie flew backward as someone yanked her arm and tossed her behind, causing her to land with a hard thump against her couch. Her head slammed against the cushioned armrest, and she saw spots of color for a moment and heard a thunderous roar.

Somewhere in the middle of the chaos, she heard Lily scream, and all she could think of was her niece. She jumped from the couch and ran to her niece, who was now standing in the hallway. She scooped her into her arms and ran for the front door.

She felt fingers try to grip her ankle, but she managed to slip free and ran outside, not stopping as she took off down the road. She heard sirens in the distance and prayed they were coming to her. And they did.

She made it a block down the street, Lily screaming at the top of her lungs, when the first police car screeched around the corner. It headed straight to her house. Another car shot past her, and then one stopped right in front of her. She stopped, shaking where she stood as a man climbed from the car, his hand on his weapon as he approached.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” he asked as he looked around.

She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. The fear was so real, so great.

“Ma’am, the ambulance is on the way. Do you need me to take the child?”

Roxie’s eyes were wide; she was shaking. She knew she was in shock, and she probably should release Lily, but she couldn’t loosen her grip. Lily’s head was buried in her shoulder as she uncontrollably sobbed.

“It’s okay, Roxie. I’m here. It’s okay.”

Roxie turned and found Kian beside her. The officer knew him and seemed to relax. “Is the house secure, Kian?” he asked.

“It’s secure. They have the bastard,” Kian said. “I’ve got Roxie.”

The officer nodded, climbed into his car, and drove down to her house.

“Let me take Lily before you fall to the ground,” Kian said, his voice soothing. His shirt was ripped, and there was blood oozing from his arm, but he was so calm.

“It’s okay, Roxie, let me take Lily,” he said again.