Chapter 4 #2
The privacy fence stood about six feet high, but I’d scaled worse. I grabbed the top rail and hauled myself over in one fluid motion, landing in a crouch on the other side. The grass crunched beneath my boots, but most of the snow had melted over the last twenty-four hours.
Kenny’s house rose before me, a two-story with white siding and blue shutters.
Most of the windows were dark, but warm light spilled from what I guessed was a bedroom on the second floor.
I traipsed across the lawn, keeping low and using the landscaping for cover, to the back window on the ground level.
My fingers found the window frame and applied gentle pressure.
It was locked, go figure, so I moved on to the next and the next.
The third lifted to my surprise. Someone was going to need to give her parents an education about security. Never leave a window unlocked. Period.
The wood gave way, opening wide enough for me to slip through. I hoisted myself up and through the opening, landing on carpet so plush it nearly swallowed my boots whole. The room smelled of vanilla candles and clean laundry with an underlying sweetness.
It was late enough that hopefully her parents were asleep.
I made my way straight for the stairs. Light spilled out from the slightly ajar door when I reached the second floor, and I was banking it was Kenny’s bedroom.
Careful not to scare her, I peeked inside.
Only a fool burst into a room without taking a beat to check for potential threats.
Soft pink walls surrounded me, a light and floral perfume lingering in the air.
A narrow bed dominated one wall, its white comforter half tossed aside with Kenny sitting in the middle.
She glanced up at my entrance, wide brown eyes staring at me from a face gone paper white.
My intention wasn’t to scare her to death, but I couldn’t think of her feelings right now.
Her mouth opened to scream, but I reached the bed before she could really let loose, my hand smothering her cry of alarm. “I’m not here to hurt you. You know who I am, don’t you?”
“What the—?”
Shit. She wasn’t alone. My head whirled at the deep voice.
Of course, fucking Carson was here.
He occupied a wooden desk chair positioned near the window, his eyes glaring at me. “How did you get in?”
My lips curled as I released my hand from Kenny’s mouth. “You didn’t think a cop would keep me out?”
“Shit,” Carson muttered, raking a hand through his already disheveled surfer-boy sandy hair. I didn’t like the guy. What could I say? Everything about him irked me. From his preppy-rich boy clothes to his too pretty looks.
I angled my head, stepping back from the bed to give Kenny some space. The shock seemed to be wearing off. “You don’t look surprised to see me,” I said to Carson.
He scowled. “I’m just wondering what took you so long.”
“Do you really want to know the details of what I’ve been doing all day while you’ve been locked up in this house?”
He scrunched his face. “Not if it makes me an accomplice.”
I shook my head. Could he be more of a selfish ass? How did these girls not see him for who he really was? “I don’t have time for you,” I growled, rolling up my sleeves, and glanced at Kenny. “Right now, I need her.”
Kenny didn’t move; she just stared at me, her hands twisting together in her lap.
I leveled my tone when I spoke to her. “I didn’t mean to scare you.
I just really needed to see you. It’s about Kaylor.
I need to get her back, and you’re the only person who might be able to help.
You’ve been where she is.” I let gravity settle in before continuing, trying my best not to spook her. “What can you remember?”
“I wish I could give you something useful. I swear I do.” Tears filled her eyes. They drugged me. The ride to where they took me is a blur. I just remember waking up in the room.”
“She’s been through enough—” Carson interrupted as the tears streamed faster down Kenny’s cheeks. He jumped out of his chair and went to the bed, sitting beside her.
“I know what she’s been through,” I hissed, frustration building behind my eyes.
“And I’m sorry. I really fucking am. But this is Kaylor we’re talking about.
” I turned back to Kenny, letting her see the desperation I’d been trying so hard to hide.
“And the truth is, you wouldn’t be here, safe in your bedroom, if it weren’t for her.
We owe it to her to do everything we can to save her.
” Or I would go fucking nuts. “Don’t tell me she’s not worth a little more pain if it means saving her life. ”
Silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket, broken only by our breathing.
Then Kenny nodded. She stood from the bed, smearing the dampness from her eyes, which left behind a glint of determination. “What do you need?”
“Everything.” I exhaled roughly. “Every detail you can remember. Doesn’t matter how small. Where they kept you. How it smelled. The layout of rooms. Sounds you heard. Voices. Words. Anything. If you can retrace your steps, it might help us find her. Do you think you’re up for that?”
“If Carter’s with me, I can try.”
My gaze flicked to the pain in my ass. I didn’t trust him, but it was clear Kenny did, and I needed her as calm as possible, to feel protected, and if Carter did that for her, then the prick was coming with us.