Page 314 of The Heart You Kept

Please don’t do this!

They slowly run the tip of the blade down my cheek and then hold it to my neck, they stare at me for a long time. Emotionless and cold.

I shake my head, frantically hoping for a miracle.

Please, God.

Please don’t let this happen…help me!

Please help me.

“Prescott will pay.” They cup my face in their hand and brush their gloved thumb over my bottom lip. “With your life.”

I shake my head frantically as I scream around the gag. I kick and fight with everything I have.

“It’s time to die.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

EDWARD

Patience isn’t my greatest strength.

I’ve tossed and turned all night, fought with myself long and hard not to go to Alora and make her believe me. The only thing that’s stopped me is the knowledge of her zero tolerance for my controlling ways.

Turning the corner into her street, I glance at the time on my dash: 6:21 a.m.

I couldn’t wait a minute longer.

I pull my Bentley into the drive beside Philippe; he’s sitting inside the car and another man is sitting on the front porch.

“Hi.” Philippe scrambles out of the car. “I wasn’t expecting you this early.”

“Yeah, I know.” I walk past him. “Just wanted to get here.” I walk up the stairs and put my key into the door and push but it doesn’t open.

“The deadlock’s on,” Philippe tells me from behind. “We checked for that last night.”

“Good.” I take out my phone to call her, I really want to surprise her while she’s still in bed. “I’ll go around to the back door.” I make my way around the side of the house and to the set of French doors. I open the door with my key and head upstairs. The room is dark and the blankets are pooled over her body. I lie down beside her and pull the blanket back to see pillows strategically placed under the covers to look like her.

“What?” I jump up and rip the blankets back. “What the fuck?” I turn the lights on. “Alora?” I call. I check the bathroom. “Alora,” I call as panic begins to set in. I dial her number and I hear a distant muffled ring downstairs.

I take the stairs two at a time.

Hello, you’ve reached Alora Sorenson. I’m sorry, I can’t take your call right now.

Leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a nice day.

“The fuck?” I dial her number again. “Alora,” I call as I walk through the house, a sense of urgency coursing through my veins. I hear her phone ringing, it’s muffled and my eyes dart around as I search for it. “What is going on?”

Hello, you’ve reached Alora Sorenson. I’m sorry, I can’t take your call right now.

Leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Have a nice day.

I march to the front door and tear it open. “Where is she?” I yell.

Philippe’s eyes widen and he runs up the driveway. “What do you mean?” he stammers.

“She isn’t here, there were pillows in her bed.”