Page 168 of Lost Trust

She looks past me toward the hallway.

Another bang.

Mom’s expression tightens.

I grab the first thing I can find—Royce’s T-shirt tossed over the chair—and pull it over my head. It hangs nearly to my thighs.

“Stay with Ryder,” I whisper.

“What?”

“Just keep him in the room.”

I slip into the hallway, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Royce is standing near the living room window, staring through the blinds.

“Royce?”

“I can’t see a damn thing. It’s too dark,” he says.

The pounding starts again. My pulse kicks harder.

Then I hear it.

“Marina, are you in there?”

Every muscle in my body locks.

No. It can’t be.

My stomach drops.

Blaze? What the fuck is he doing here?

I spin toward Mom. “Shut the door.”

She stares at me. “Marina—”

“Mom, shut Ryder’s door. Keep him inside.”

Something in my face must convince her because she steps back immediately and closes the door.

I turn toward the front of the house. I’m already moving before I realize it. I make it three steps. Then a strong arm bands around my waist.

“Absolutely not.”

“Royce—”

He catches me against his chest, stopping me cold.

“It’s Blaze,” I hiss.

His entire body goes still. Then something in his expression changes.

The easygoing man I know disappears.

Royce turns me around and tucks me behind him, putting his body between me and the front door. “Stay behind me.”