Hideaway (Devil's Night 2)

“How do we find him?” Michael asked.

I shook my head, thinking. But then a text rolled in, and I took out my phone, swiping the screen.

Games are better with more players, don’t you think?

Another number I didn’t recognize. Why did he keep this up? Come on. Let’s do this.

Another text popped up.

The Pope. 9 PM. Don’t come alone. I won’t.

“No need. He’s not hiding.” I answered, walking to the elevator. “Get in your street clothes and meet me at my house within the hour.”

I had to get home. He needed leverage, and he’d go after her.

I entered the elevator, leaving them behind, and remembered one last thing, calling out, “And don’t forget your masks.”

“Why?” Will shot out.

“Because it’s Devil’s Night.” I pushed the button, the doors starting to close. “And I’m not getting caught this time.”

Banks

Present

Making my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, I gazed around the dim, empty room, a little fuddled at what my next move was. If I were home, I’d be grabbing a fistful of whatever Marina had on the table that morning, or if I were at my apartment, I’d be boiling up an egg and fixing a piece of toast, in a rush to get wherever Gabriel had ordered me to go.

I didn’t have anywhere to go.

I didn’t have a job anymore.

I was only at the mercy of my brother, and all was quiet so far this morning. Except for the fact I had no idea where the hell Kai had gone? David knocked on my door earlier to check on me, hand off the bags of new clothes he’d picked up from my apartment, and to let me know Kai had run out and would be back in a while.

I was actually pretty grateful for the clothes. All I had here was my wedding dress, and while I would’ve happily worn something of Kai’s, I really liked the more form-fitting jeans and black, short-sleeved blouse I’d picked out of the bags. It felt good to try something new.

Turning on the light, I walked around the marble island to the refrigerator, glancing at the trees outside the wall of windows to my right. The wind was in high gear, the leaves whipping under the towering thunderhead above, and I remembered a storm was coming our way today.

Another round of chills spread across my arms.

Opening the fridge door, I sifted through an array of food I barely recognized and a lot of other things I’d never tried. Tofu and meat wrapped up, green and orange-colored juices, and some interesting mushroom dish with sauce that actually smelled pretty good. There were also eggs and milk, as well as two shelves of fruits and vegetables. No cheese or cookies or soda. Should’ve known he’d be a clean eater.

I grabbed the eggs.

Turning around, I set the carton on the counter and pulled a pot off the rack.

“You’re smiling.”

I looked up, seeing David walk into the kitchen.

Was I smiling? I let the corners of my mouth fall. “Well, I don’t mean to.”

He chuckled. Pulling off his jacket, he hung it on the chair on the other side of the island as Lev walked in behind him.

He yawned, his black hair hanging in his eyes as he tossed some keys down on the counter. My mind trailed. For a moment, he looked like Damon. When Damon came in late, with that dreamy weariness in his eyes, because he was so drunk he was actually at peace for once, and all he wanted was sleep.

“Kai will be back soon,” he told me.

“Is everything okay?”