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Alex was absolutely right. Had I not found a way to threaten the couple, then I’d probably be in the back of Grayson’s trunk right now, and Alex would be buried at Devil’s Peak.
I clamp my hand around the chip, keeping my eyes on the crossing sign as it signals to walk. I don’t move. Car horns blare and people pass in a hurry on foot and bikes, and I stand stalled on the sidewalk.
“I appreciate your concern,” I say, “but I’m not interested in any further research.”
Breath bated, I wait to hear her response.
“I understand. Thank you for your help securing loose ends.” London’s voice sounds faraway in my ear. “Have a nice life, Blakely Vaughn.”
She ends the call.
Awhooshof air escapes my lungs.
So that’s it. I get to walk away as no one’s lab rat, and Alex gets to live.
It’s over. I have to accept this is an element out of my control. Alex lost his research, but we’re alive. We’re free to decide what we do with our life.
A tradeoff I can for damn sure live with.
Glancing around the busy intersection, I stand at the corner of the crosswalk. There’s a fork before me, two directions to choose from.
My very first choice to make.
One direction leads to the kennel. The other leads out of the city, away from Alex.
I could disappear right now. Walk away from Alex and this whole sordid life.
But even as I’m debating my choice, my feet move in a familiar direction.
I reach the kennel and push the key into the door. As I walk into the front, the silence thrums my nerves. I glance around for Addisyn. She’s not supposed to leave Alex alone. Ever.
Irritation twists my stomach, but, in truth, I never trusted a dog crate to hold Alex. I knew there was a better than slim chance he’d escape, but I just needed a head start.
“Addisyn,” I call out. “You psycho nut, the deal was you weren’t supposed to leave.”
As I enter the back, everything appears the same as it did four days ago.
A sliver of relief uncoils the tension in my muscles. I take a single moment to process what I’m about to do, then I step toward the cage. Alex is there, wearing the same clothes and looking a little more haggard. Keeping his back to me, he won’t turn around. He won’t look at me.
A charge fills the air the closer I get. He could’ve escaped—but he didn’t. Which means he chose to let me do this my way. He also trusted that I’d come back for him. Whether he’s full-on delusional, I guess it no longer matters.
The small span of distance between us is eaten as I move toward the cage.
I dig the key out of my pocket and push it into the lock.
“Yeah, I’m stunned stupid too that I’m actually here—” But as the words leave my mouth, I notice the tension on the padlock.
Only it’s too late.
I hear aclick, then a loud whirring noise. The top of the cage is yanked backward as the sides fall away. Alex’s arms are stretched above his head as he’s hoisted into the air, suspended before me.
Oh, my god.
A trap has been triggered.
I called checkmate too soon.
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