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The laughter stopped, and then she heard a loud, drawn-out sigh.
“You should had grown out of hiding when you’re scared.”
Pressing her lips together to prevent herself from asking how he knew about her habit, she wished he would move a little to the left so the light would expose the features the loose material of his hood concealed.
“This jail isn’t the safe haven you think it is,” he warned chillingly. “At what point are you going to be brave enough to quit running and hiding?”
Never, when she knew who was waiting for her outside!
The silent scream echoed throughout the chambers of her mind.
“You’ve let fear make you a prisoner long before coming here.”
“Shut up!” she yelled then slapped a hand over her mouth.
“What’s the matter? Did I strike a nerve?”
Alanna dropped her hand. “Did Owen pay you to get arrested to warn me to keep my mouth shut?”
“No one paid me to get arrested, butI amhere to give a warning. You’re not safe here. I’m disappointed that you haven’t been able to come up with a better plan, other than to sacrifice your freedom because you’re afraid to confront your fears. I expected more from you.”
The censure in his voice had her pride taking a nosedive.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m just trying to stay alive the best way I know how.”
“Then, if I were you—” The hands hanging out of the jail cell slid back inside. Her fear skyrocketed when she saw a spark of fire then heard the cell door click open. Her vocal cords froze when he stepped into the corridor to stand outside her door. “—I would take the help being offered to you before it’s too late.”
Alanna sucked in a deep breath when she was finally able to see the face of the man speaking to her.
Rugged features enforced the impression of strength. An implacable expression showed this man had a self-confidence that only came with hard-earned experience. She wouldn’t be such a wimp if she had been built like a linebacker, either. Her whole life would have been different if she had been a man.
“You have a good lawyer—use her. At least give her a fighting chance to help.”
“Go back to your cell before I scream,” she warned huskily, proud of herself that she was actually able to get the words out.
Sensual lips curled into a mocking smile. “What will you do if I don’t? Come on; show me,” he urged her softly.
Fear, as always, held her in place.
“You don’t have a problem taking risks when it concerns someone else. You’re important, too.”
She shook her head in denial, even though she knew he couldn’t see the motion. She could drop off the face of the earth and no one would notice. Being jailed for the last two months had proven that fact without a doubt.
“I’m waiting.”
Her heart stopped at his words. Then Alanna realized he meant he was waiting to see if she would scream, not waiting like the wind had once told her her prince would be.It’s your imagination, she told herself. Just because his voice curled around her like a warm embrace and his eyes made heat pool in the pit of her stomach didn’t mean he was the man she had lost all hope of ever meeting.
She would ask to speak to her attorney tomorrow, if nothing else other than to get a refill on her medication.
“You have become afraid of your own shadow, Alanna. The thing is, all you have to do to be free of your fears is to step out into the light. You believe this jail cell is a form of protection, while in reality, the shadows are consuming you,” he warned.
Allana could see the knuckles of his hands gripping the bars turn white.
“Either get this shit straightened out, or I will. I’m not supposed to interfere, but I will.” His face became menacing. “My willpower is reaching a breaking point. I’m not a saint.”
As he dropped his hands from the bars, Alanna tensed, waiting to see if he was going to open her cell door like he had his.
“Don’t …” she whimpered fearfully, childhood memories flashing back.
