Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,92

well make ourselves at home." Kelsey's voice. "You hungry?"

"Yeah, I could eat something."

"Why don't you go order us a pizza? I'll call Barrett on my cell phone and tell him we're here."

The sound of their footsteps moving away.

Kara released the breath she'd been holding, only vaguely aware that she'd been repeating Alex's name in her mind over and over again, clinging to it, finding hope and strength in the name of the man she loved.

She sat up, her back to the wall, and drew in several deep breaths. She had to get out of here, tonight, before they discovered the attic.

She closed her eyes, felt the sting of tears behind her lids. She had to get to Cherise's house, had to talk to Gail, to assure herself that Nana and her sister were well. They'd arrange to meet somewhere . . . and then what? Spend the rest of their lives hiding, running?

"Oh, Alex," she whispered. "What am I going to do?"

Kara was in trouble. The thought clawed at his mind, relentlessly, without pity. She was in trouble, and it was all his fault.

He prowled the house, as restless as a caged lion, as he waited for the sun to go down. Imprisoned by his body's weakness. Tormented by visions of Kara being captured, tortured. Because of him.

And then he heard her scream, and all rational thought fled his mind.

They'd found her! Kara held her breath as the trapdoor swung open.

"I'm sure I heard something up here," Kelsey said. He struck a match and held it over his head, peering into the darkness.

Not daring to breathe, Kara pressed herself against the wall, hoping Kelsey wouldn't see her in the shadows.

"See anything?" Mitch asked.

"No. I'm going in."

Panic surged through Kara as she glanced around the attic, her gaze searching for something, anything, that she could use as a weapon.

Kelsey's footsteps were very loud in the small space. He swore as the match burned his fingers, then quickly lit another.

And then he was there, staring at her, his eyes wide with surprise and satisfaction.

Kara hesitated a moment, startled as a face as white as a sheet appeared before her. With a cry, Kara grabbed a heavy brass candlestick and swung it at his head.

Kelsey jerked his head out of the way, and the candlestick landed with a dull thud against his shoulder.

"Why you . . ." With his free hand, Kelsey struck her across the face. Hard. Twice.

Kara reeled back, her ears ringing, her cheek throbbing.

Kelsey snatched the candlestick from her hand and tossed it into a corner. Grabbing her by the arm, he shoved her toward the attic entrance.

"Mitch!"

"Yeah?"

"Come and get her."

Moments later, she was sitting on the sofa, her hands securely bound, while Kelsey called Barrett.

"We've got her." Kelsey said. He nodded. "Right. Uh-huh." He glanced out the window. "I don't think that's a good idea. There's a bunch of kids playing outside, a couple of women gossiping. Yeah. Okay. Well wait for you here."

Kelsey hung up the phone.

"What'd he have to say?" Mitch asked.

"He said to sit tight. He's on his way."

Mitch nodded.

"You order us something to eat?"

"Yeah. You like anchovies?"

"Right now I could eat 'em alive," Kelsey muttered. He crossed the floor to stand in front of Kara. "See this?" he said, lifting a hand to the heavy bandage on his face. "He did it. And I aim to make him pay. And you, too."

Kara swallowed the lump of fear rising in her throat as Kelsey lifted his hand to strike her again. She cast a frantic glance at the window, dismayed to see the sun was still shining.

She choked back a cry as Kelsey slapped her again, and then again. She tasted blood in her mouth and knew he'd cut her lip.

"Hey, man, ease up."

"Shut up, Mitch! This doesn't concern you."

Kelsey was drawing his arm back, ready to hit her again, when the doorbell rang.

"Pizza's here," Mitch said.

"Not a word," Kelsey said, his voice thick with menace. "You understand?"

Kara nodded.

Kelsey's gaze bored into hers for a moment, then he looked over at his partner. "I'll cover her from the kitchen."

Kara blinked back tears as she watched Mitch walk toward the front door.

When he was out of sight, she collapsed against the couch, her eyes closed. She heard the door open, the muffled sound of voices, a long silence, and then the sound of footsteps.

Unable to believe her senses, she opened her eyes to find Alexander staring down at her, a pizza box balanced in one hand, his