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Chapter One

Grayson

The sounds of screeching echoed around us in the darkness, followed by a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. Something swooped down from overhead and suddenly, the footsteps next to me were gone. I stopped running and turned to look, expecting to see Kane behind me, but saw nothing. The screeching had stopped, and an eerie silence had taken its place. My heart was pounding in my chest as I scanned the area for signs of Kane’s presence. Still, I saw nothing.

As the feeling of dread slowly crept over me, my thoughts drifted to Scarlett, Kane’s daughter. Someone was going to have to tell her about what just happened, and I knew it would have to be me.

Kane had always made it clear that he didn't want her getting involved with such dangerous matters. He told me on more than one occasion that she wasn't strong enough or smart enough to survive it. He spoiled her too much. She never had to learn to survive. After the falling out they had two years ago, I wasn't sure how she would react to the news that her father had just been kidnapped. It was my responsibility to tell her, but after everything we'd been through, I knew that I would be the last person she wanted to see. I wasn't even sure whether I could face her myself.

I looked back at the dark tunnel where I had heard the screeching only a few moments before.

"Shit," I whispered under my breath, turning away and starting forward again.

The night had grown still and the silence followed me as I made my way back to my car, kicking myself for going along with Kane's stupid plan, to begin with.

When I got back to my house, I was convinced that what had happened wasn't random. There was something bigger behind our attack. I walked into the house, slamming the door behind me before anyone could see me. I ran upstairs and stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom, looking back at my reflection.

What was I going to say? Would she believe me? I couldn't lie to her, not now. I tried to think of something else, but nothing came to mind. Part of me hoped Kane and I had just gotten separated, and he would call to tell me what an idiot I was for it. But, deep down, I knew that wouldn't happen. Someone was after him for a reason and I needed to figure out what that reason was.

After standing there for what seemed like forever, I finally decided that I would have to go ahead and tell her the truth. I had no choice; I wasn't going to let her live with the guilt of knowing what happened to her father. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes tightly. I pictured Scarlett's beautiful face as I prepared myself mentally to tell her what had transpired that night.

When I looked at the clock and realized it was after three in the morning, I decided to wait until after the sun came up. I wasn't ready to face her yet. I sat on my bed for a while longer, trying to prepare myself for the conversation I was about to have. A few minutes later, I fell asleep with my head resting against my pillow.

Guilt swept over me as I stood at Scarlett's door. The air had been hazy since the sunset, and it looked like rain was on its way once again. I'd tried to get ahold of her earlier in the day but hadn't heard back from her yet.

I knocked, but she didn't answer, so I turned the knob and let myself into her apartment. The lights were out, though there were faint scents of cinnamon and vanilla coming through the closed bedroom door.

Scarlett's bed was made, as usual, with her pillow propped up against the headboard. A small pile of clothes sat near the nightstand, along with some makeup and hair products.

"She's not here," I said aloud before turning toward the kitchen. "Shit."

The unlocked door was cause for concern, but I tried not to overreact. Maybe she'd gone out to get the mail or talk to one of her neighbors. I moved around slowly, going from room to room while trying to keep my eyes open and alert, searching every nook and cranny of the apartment.

My palms were sweaty and my heart pounded fast. What if the same people who took her father had her?

A loud thud and crash came from the bathroom and I rushed in, ready to confront whoever was there, only to find Scarlett standing in the shower. Pieces of ceramic were scattered across the floor in front of the shower and her cat, Vixen, sat on the edge of the sink.

She gasped when she saw me, her face pale beneath her red hair and her light green/gray eyes were wide in shock. She clutched her hand to her chest as she backed away from the glass shower door.

"Are you okay?" I asked quickly, grabbing a towel off the rack and wiping the broken shards of ceramic onto it.

The sight of her standing naked in the shower was breathtaking. She shut off the water, grabbed a towel, and quickly wrapped it around her.

"Grayson? You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing here?" She asked, hitting me on my arm.

"I'm sorry. I knocked several times and then I opened the door. I didn't think anyone would be home."

"You could've called first. I was in the shower," she said, her voice shaking.

"I can see that. You don't have to get out on my account. I can wait right here until you are done," I replied, forgetting for a moment why I was there in the first place.

"What do you want?" She asked, holding the towel close against her perfect voluptuous breasts.

I stepped closer to her, unable to stop myself. Her scent filled my lungs: warm vanilla and sweet cinnamon. My heart swelled at the sight of her, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her. Instead, I knelt next to the shattered bowl and picked up a shard.

"Did Vixen drop this?"

Her eyes widened and she nodded, stepping forward and touching the piece of ceramic on my palm.

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