True Colors (The Masks #1)(64)

I bolted, nearly stumbling down the stairs as I made a beeline for the laundry room. I threw myself out of it, pushing open the fence and sprinting down the driveway. I didn’t want to look back. I hoped they were still in the office, fussing over the computer.

Turning left, I took off down the street, willing my legs to move faster as I hurtled down the hill. My Mini was waiting for me, still looking out across the peaceful water. I scrambled for my keys, nearly ripping my jean pocket as I yanked them free. Fumbling them in my hands, I dropped them on the ground and scraped my knuckles as I collected them back up and shoved the key into the lock.

My insides were shuddering as my trembling fingers shoved the key into the ignition and turned.

Click. No rev, no life, no engine.

“What? No, no please.” I gripped the wheel, near hysterical as I turned the key for a second time.

Again with the click.

Yanking my phone from my back pocket, I pressed the ON button and waited expectantly for my screen to come to life. Instead I got an empty battery symbol.

“Not now! Please! No!”

I threw the phone onto the passenger seat and thumped the wheel, resting my head against my hands. I wanted to dissolve into tears. My harrowing afternoon was catching up to me like a bullet train. I needed to get to the hospital. I needed to get away. I wanted Eric. I wanted to be able to talk to him and ask him to come and help me, but I couldn’t. I was alone and the thought was terrifying.

Breaths punched out of me fast and erratic as I tried the key again, but to no avail. My car was dead.

A black car pulled up beside me, making me jerk. I glanced over at the driver who gave me a friendly smile as he slammed his door shut. He was in shorts and a T-shirt, obviously ready to go for an afternoon run in the sand. He wasn’t a buff-looking gym guy, more of an athletic build, lean and muscly. It made me think of Eric, which just brought tears to my eyes. Reaching for my phone, I rubbed my thumb over the screen and tried it one more time. It was an idiot move. I knew the battery was dead, but I was desperate.

Tears glistened in my eyes as I laid the phone back down and pushed the door open. I guessed my only other option was to walk.

“Uh, excuse me?” The jogger looked ready to jump down to the sand and start his run. “Are you alright?”

I gave him a glum smile. “Car trouble.” I shrugged.

“Can I help at all?” He stepped towards me, his blue gaze friendly and warm. “I have a phone in my car if you want to call someone or I can take a look if you want me to.” He grinned. “I’m not a mechanic or anything, but I know a few things.”

I couldn’t help smiling at his sweet expression. I was about to nod, open my door and pop the hood. I was about to let this guy help me, but then I saw the flash. I’d been too caught up in my angst to notice it at first. But it was there. I ripped off his mask and saw the rancor, the intent to kill.

The blue eyes suddenly looked familiar, and I realized I was staring at Liam’s brother, Mason.





Chapter 30




My eyes bulged before I could stop them and Mason must have noticed, because he grabbed my wrist as I started to step back from him.

His grip was strong and unrelenting. He yanked me towards him, until I could feel his breath on my face.

“Give me the memory stick,” he whispered.

As much as it terrified me, I looked into his eyes, trying to peel back layers and get to his core like I did with Liam. Maybe I could unnerve him as well.

But all I saw was evil. This guy was going to hurt me and he was going to enjoy doing it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice pitched.

His grip tightened. “I know you took something from my computer and I want it back.”

I shook my head.

His free hand clamped around the back of my neck, painfully digging into my flesh. His blue eyes flashed bright and angry. “I warned you that if you didn’t back off, I’d introduce you to a new kind of pain. I wasn’t kidding.”

Shit. Shit, he really wasn’t.

My chin trembled as I fought the tears.

“Give me the memory stick and I’ll let you off easy.”

I winced as his fingers dug in. I wanted to give in. I wanted to rip the stick from my pocket and place it in his hands, but I couldn’t. Not after Indie had been beaten and Micah had been shot. How could I let them suffer and then just ruin it all by giving into my fear?

I pressed my lips together and shook my head.

“You’re making a mistake, Caitlyn.”

His malicious grin made my flight reflex kick in big time. My knee came up, just the way it used to when Toby was being a jackass and trying to wrestle with me. Seth taught me how to do it. I didn’t connect as soundly as I wanted to, but it was enough to make Mason buckle and loosen his grip.

I turned and sprinted. Why I chose the sand, I do not know. I should have run up the street, raced for someone’s house and banged on the door, but no - I chose the lumpy, uneven surface to make my escape on.

Terror had turned my brain to putty. I pumped my arms and begged my legs to keep moving. My ankle turned in the soft sand, but I managed to collect myself before falling. Taking a quick peek over my shoulder, I saw Mason gaining on me. Damn, he was fast.

I wailed as I scrambled away from him and tried to find a steady rhythm again, but before I could really get started, his arms were around my waist and he pulled me to the ground. I landed with a thud, sand shooting up my nose and into my mouth. I spat it out as Mason flipped me over and drove a punch into my left cheek.