One More Time (Red Hook 1)

Alicia nodded. “I told him next time I would call her myself. She is a nice girl. She deserves better.”

Alana agreed. “You pick the movie, and I’ll make popcorn.”

Alana put a bag of popcorn in the microwave and pushed some buttons. She got two cans of soda out of the fridge and set them on the counter.

She peeked out the small kitchen window over the sink and thought she saw a shadow. She blinked and looked again and saw nothing. Shrugging it off, she put the popcorn in a bowl. Before she left the kitchen, she made sure the back kitchen door was locked. She grabbed everything and went into the living room. She had to stop jumping at every sound and shadow.

Alicia had picked out a romantic comedy. They settled down on the couch, and Alana found herself involved with the movie. She laughed and relaxed.

“That was so awesome.” Alicia sniffed. “I love happy endings.”

Alana pushed her playfully. “You softie.”

Alicia made a face. Before she could answer back, they heard a noise on the back porch.

“What’s that?” Alicia grumbled. “If Mr. Miller’s dog is in the trash again, Dad is going to blow his top. We might have a neighbor war.”

Alana felt the tension in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to frighten her sister, but what if it wasn’t a dog? What if she hadn’t been imagining being watched? Her thoughts were running wild.

Alicia marched to the back door and turned the outside light on. She opened the curtain and screamed when she saw a face encased in a ski mask staring into the window.

“Oh my God.” Alana covered her mouth to prevent a scream.

Alicia closed the curtain and picked up the phone. Alana heard her telling someone her address and that they had an intruder.

Coming out of her frozen state, Alana ran into the living room. She couldn’t remember if she had locked the front door. She reached it and saw the lock was on. She slid the chain into place. It wouldn’t stop an intruder, but it could give them time to hide.

Alicia was right behind her. Alana grabbed one of her dad’s golf clubs from the closet. Alicia searched and found an old baseball bat from when Ray played.

“What do we do?” Alicia sounded terrified, and her eyes were watery. “Do you think it’s—”

Alana grabbed her hand. “Noah and his men will get here quick. There are two of us. If we have to, we beat the crap out of him.”

Alicia nodded but screamed when they heard the front porch steps creak with footsteps. They watched the front door, waiting for it to be kicked in. They held their weapons tight, ready to attack.

“I know you girls are alone in there. Let me in, and we can have some fun.” The voice was loud and high-pitched.

Alana heard Alicia whimper, and it gave her the courage to be brave. She would not let her little sister be terrorized.

“You’re about to get arrested, asshole!” Alana yelled loudly. How dare he come to her house to terrorize her? Whoever this guy was would not find the same scared woman he could prey on. “Then we’ll see who is having fun. I hope you rot in hell.”

There was no answer, and a few seconds later, they heard the sirens. Alana didn’t let go of her weapon. She thought maybe her hand was frozen to it from holding it so tight. She heard tires squealing. The cavalry had arrived.

Chapter 15

Noah’s heart was racing and about to jump out of his chest. When the call came over the radio, his heart stopped. He wasn’t even sure how he got here. He had run on automatic. He prayed the whole way that he would find the girls safe and unhurt.

He raced up the steps, gun drawn. He banged on the door, ready to barrel through it if he had to.

“Alana, it’s me.”

He heard the lock click and the chain come off. Next thing he knew, he was holding the woman he loved. She was sobbing into his chest, and he felt like he could breathe again. He knew his men were surrounding the house.

He looked at Alicia and waved her ov

er. She looked pale and scared. He hugged her, too, and asked if she was okay. She nodded but stayed silent. She was doing a good job of holding her tears in. She was holding a bat, and he had to pry it out of her hands and set it down.

He led both girls to the couch. They looked frantic, exactly how he felt. His heartbeat was just now slowing down.