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He barks at me, his deep tone probably giving me away, but when someone follows me over the fence and drops down into Rocky’s yard, the dog reassesses the situation, quickly realizing that I’m in trouble. He turns on the Empire henchman, giving me the chance I need to turn my back and unlatch the side gate, and like the brave warrior Rocky has always been, he makes my attacker his bitch.
Finally getting through the gate, I make a point to close it behind me, hoping like fuck the gate latched properly. Then without another moment of hesitation, my feet slam against the hard earth, propelling me down the street.
I keep to the shadows, racing down streets I used to walk nearly every day of my life. “OAKLEY,” I hear from behind me, far back down the street.
Liv.
My heart thunders erratically, but she sounds too far away, like she’s searching for me, probably assuming I’m hiding out in one of these surrounding properties. The girl she raised wasn’t exactly a law-abiding citizen, but she was honest and a little timid, and Liv has no idea I’d be brave enough to make a run for it. But these past few months with Zade and the boys have changed me. I’m not that little girl who’s going to sit around and become a victim of somebody else’s wicked games. I’m in survival mode, and I don’t plan on giving up any time soon.
If she wants me, she’s going to have to put in the effort, and unfortunately for Liv, it’s not going to be easy.
Needing to find somewhere to go, I head for the city, patting my pocket to be sure the old brass key to Empire is still right where I left it. The nightlife here is insane, and the streets will remain busy right into the night, making it easier to blend in and hide, but I don’t know how well I could possibly blend in when I’m running around barefoot and covered in blood.
I run for almost an hour, making my way into the city before slowing to a walk when I reach the busy streets, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to myself. Then seeing the mall up ahead, I hurry toward it before slipping inside and finding the bathroom.
I clean myself up the best I can before searching for some discreet five-finger discounts, needing a pair of shoes and something substantial to eat to keep me going through the night. I find a jacket and yank off the tags as I walk around. It’s not exactly jacket weather, but who knows how cold it might get through the night, and for the first time in my life, I might be spending a night on the streets.
By the time I exit the mall, my heart has calmed enough to try and put some kind of plan together. Judging by the rush of people walking through the streets and the increased traffic, I can only assume business hours are over and everyone is trying to get home.
People bump and shove against me as I try to make my way through the crowd, and not knowing where I’m trying to go, I step to the side of the walkway before falling into a back alley. It’s dark down here, but I welcome it, and instead of staying near the opening of the alley, I follow it right to the end. Confident that I have a few different escape options if I need to make a break for it, I lean back against the wall and slide down until my ass is on the dirty ground.
My gaze remains locked on the street, watching the traffic fly by, completely oblivious to the fresh hell tormenting my mind.
I killed someone. Again. And two others are seriously injured.
This world has turned me into something I don’t recognize, and I don’t know whether it makes me feel strong or weak, but what I do know is that I don’t like it.
Tears fill my eyes, and the longer I sit here and torment myself with the horrid memories, the harder the tears fall. I bury my face in my hands as the hours tick by, and before I know it, the street is pitch black and the passing cars have slowed to one every few minutes.
A chill fills the air, and I snuggle into the jacket, my eyes growing heavy. This isn’t exactly the best place to stay the night, but it’s going to have to do. I’m concealed by shadows, so anyone walking by won’t easily see me, but that doesn’t make this situation any better.
Bringing my knees up, I brace my arms against them and drop my face, trying to find just a little bit of comfort on the cold ground. Then just as my eyes close and I’m fading out of consciousness, a deep, raspy tone startles me awake. “Come on, Lamb. Let’s go home.”
