Chapter 202
It took a long moment before the call finally connected.
“Lauren?”
Hearing the gruff male voice on the other end, Lauren’s breath caught in her throat.
Her grip on the phone tightened.
you call
The man couldn’t hear her, his tone growing anxious. “Lauren, I know it’s you. Did because you’re in trouble? Whatever it is, just say the word–I’ll help you, no matter what.”
A flash of memory cut through her mind–a thunderstorm, that terrible night.
Malcolm falling from the second floor-
Her breathing turned ragged, her voice trembling. “I… I need you to help me with something else. When it’s done, I’ll pay you again.”
“Lauren, there’s no need to talk about money between us.”
“Money is all I have left to give you,” Lauren said through clenched teeth, fighting to keep her frustration in check. “Neal, I wouldn’t come to you unless I had no other choice. Please–don’t make this harder than it already is.”
On the other end, Neal fell silent for a moment. At last, he gave a heavy, resigned sigh. “Alright. Whatever you say. Just tell me–what do you need me to do?”
A sudden crash of thunder split the sky outside. For a brief instant, lightning illuminated Lauren’s perfectly maintained face through the glass.
Her eyes glinted with a fierce resolve, her voice low and chilling. “I need you to help me kill someone. One more time.”
A sudden downpour washed away the last of the city’s winter snow, breathing hints of spring into the air.
Sunrise crept over the horizon, and the morning forecast promised clear skies ahead.
James Delaney was up at six for his morning run. By the time he jogged back to Skybreeze Retreat at seven, Briony was just making her way downstairs.
She’d put on a touch of makeup today, looking more refreshed than usual.
James raised his eyebrows. “Someone’s in a good mood this morning.”
Briony didn’t bother hiding it. “Well, it’s not every day you get to finalize your divorce. I’m feeling pretty good, actually.”
“That’s what I like to hear!” James grinned, bounding up the stairs. “Let me grab a quick shower,
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Chapter 202
and then I’ll drive you to city hall myself.”
“There’s no need. I can drive.”
“No way,” James insisted. “You’re finally getting rid of that sorry excuse for a husband. As family, I need to be there for such a momentous occasion!”
Briony couldn’t help but smile at that, her mood lifting even further. She didn’t argue.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, James rejoined her downstairs.
Marlene and Gina brought breakfast to the table. Once they’d eaten, the two headed out
together.
The white Range Rover made its way toward city hall.
At a downtown intersection, the light turned red and James eased onto the brakes.
That’s when it happened.
A delivery truck suddenly barreled in from the right, heading straight for Briony’s side of the car.
James spotted it in time, wrenching the steering wheel hard-
CRASH!
The truck clipped the side of the Range Rover, then careened out of control and flipped over
onto its side.
The white SUV spun in a dizzying 360, tires screaming against the asphalt before coming to an. abrupt halt.
Inside the car, Briony’s eyes were wide with shock. Her hands clutched her seatbelt so tightly her knuckles turned white, her face drained of color.
James sucked in a shaky breath, then immediately unbuckled and reached for her shoulders, scanning her up and down. “Bryn, are you alright? Are you hurt?”
It took Briony a long second to respond. She shook her head, still pale as a ghost.
“Thank God,” James exhaled, closing his eyes in relief.
Just a fraction of a second more, and that truck would have hit them head–on.
He didn’t even want to imagine what might’ve happened.
Both were still reeling from the near miss, so much so that they didn’t notice the driver climbing out of the overturned truck a short distance away.
The man was dressed all in black–a hat pulled low, a dark mask covering his face–as he strode straight toward their Range Rover.
He raised a pistol, aiming through the windshield right at Briony.
The next instant, glass exploded-
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Chapter 202
Everything went dark for Briony as someone yanked her roughly into an embrace. Gunshots thundered in her ears.
And then, suddenly, the world fell utterly, terrifyingly silent.
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