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Derek! She wanted to scream and run for him.
Hattie tugged her toward the door.
Ellery looked around desperately for help. Sutton Smith. He was speaking with the king. King Nolan cared for Ellery, cared for her more than a half-million-dollar car. He’d protect her. He’d help her.
Neither of the men noticed her frantic stare or glanced their direction.
Please help, please help, she begged her Father above.
“I’m so sorry you’re having woman trouble. I hate that. It’s even worse now as we live in back villages where it’s impossible to get supplies.” Hattie’s face was all lit up as they walked out into the hallway and to the stairs. “But I absolutely love it there. I never thought I would. I thought it would be living in the dirt with snotty, sickly children. I was so wrong. The children are delightful and grateful and hilarious, and being married to Steffan…” She sighed. “An absolute dream. He’s the home I’ve always longed for. I could live in the mud with the pigs as long as I was with that man.”
They reached the stairway. Ellery prayed desperately, only half-listening, her heart racing. What could she do? Why was she letting Hattie walk her to her death? Would Hattie stab her once they reached the room? How could she keep the woman out of her suite? How could she survive the next five minutes? Yet if Hattie stabbed her, at least Derek and his family would know the truth and that would keep the rest of them safe. Maybe. What if Hattie somehow convinced them it was self-defense or she’d been ‘framed’ once again?
“Hattie! Elle!” The adorable voice came from behind them. “Can I come with you?”
“Of course you can.” Hattie grinned at Kiera. “Isn’t she the cutest ever? Steffan misses being with all of them horribly. Especially Kiera. I wish it could be different.” A shadow crossed her face.
Kiera reached them. She came in between them and took each of their hands. It was a relief to not have Hattie so close and touching her, but she’d rather endure the murderer’s touch than have her close to Kiera. How was she going to get a Snap out now? She couldn’t leave Kiera alone with the likes of Hattie Ballard.
Ellery had landed in the middle of a nightmare, and she had no idea how to fix everything and keep everyone safe.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
The three of them walked up the stairs, Kiera chatting happily about the wedding and another new sister and Hattie answering as if she were the most benevolent sweetheart on the planet. Meanwhile, Ellery was sweating and shaking and wondering how on earth any of them would survive this day.
They made it down the family hallway. If a guard had appeared, Ellery would’ve screamed out the horror of a murderer in their midst. Wouldanyonebelieve her? Getting a message to Naomi would be the key. How could she do that quickly, without letting Hattie hurt Kiera?
They made it to Ellery’s suite. Ellery pushed the door open, and they all walked in. Kiera and Hattie both looked expectantly at her.
“I’ll, um … just be a moment.”
Please, please don’t let her hurt Kiera.
“Don’t worry about us.” Hattie hugged Kiera. “I love being with my favorite sister.”
“Sorry, Hattie. Elle’s my favorite.” Kiera gave an exaggerated wink.
Ellery thought she laughed with the two of them.
Hattie wouldn’t hurt the little girl. She couldn’t. But she’d killed a young lady before.
Turning away, Ellery’s entire body shook as she grabbed her phone off her nightstand and rushed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She pulled up Snapchat and sent the desperate message quick.
Hattie Ballard is here. Please bring help.
She couldn’t wait for a response. She shoved the phone in the drawer, flushed the toilet, rinsed her hands with cold water, and said another prayer to calm down and for help to get here before Hattie hurt someone else. It might look suspicious to be so quick, but she couldn’t stand to leave Kiera alone with a killer for one more second.
Hurrying out the door, she calmed a fraction when Hattie and Kiera were standing where she’d left them, Kiera telling her sister-in-law about her parkour moves.
“That was fast,” Hattie said, smiling pleasantly at her.
“Yeah. We’d better hurry back.”
Kiera luckily kept chattering as they walked back. Ellery was shaking so badly she didn’t know if she could keep walking. She needed Derek, but at least they’d survived.
Thank you, heaven above.
Hopefully Naomi was prepared and her people were waiting close by and would be coming soon. Ellery couldn’t take this much longer.
