Page 127 of Ghost Hunted

“Shh. It’s okay, princess. Sit down on the bed. Let me give it to you. Let me make you happy.”

“No, papa.” I shake my head, tears in my eyes. “I don’t want to be happy. I want to be free.”

“Ah.” He grabs my arm, trapping it between his thighs, and I feel the tiny, cold pinprick of the needle against my skin. “That, daughter, you will never be.”

41

Logan

She’s gone.

I think I knew it before I forced open the bathroom door and saw the open window, the breeze from outside causing goosebumps to ripple across my skin.

I knew it the moment I looked in her eyes, after that piece of shit talked about her like that, and I let him. It was the moment that her pain grew to be too much.

Now, it’s too late.

And it’s all my fault.

Fuck!

“Hey, Logan…” The mayor’s voice rings out behind me, grating on my nerves. I turn around slowly to face him. “Hey, you didn’t answer my question. Have you considered endorsing me again like you did last time? Maybe now’s not the time, seeing as you’re with your caged pet, but… oh, shit!”

He just has time to take in the gun I’ve whipped out from my inside pocket before I shoot.

Everest appears just then. He stares at the body thudding to the floor, then at my still smoking gun. An arched eyebrow is the only sign that he’s mildly surprised. But I guess he’s seen a lot worse from me.

“Hmm. Damien’s gonna be pissed.”

“What does that window lead out to?”

“Want to make a run for it?”

“No, I don’t want to make a run for it. I want to know what that window leads out to.”

Before he’s had time to answer, I’m already there, grabbing onto the ledge and pulling myself up. It’s a tight fit, one she could manage easily, but I’m not sure it’s big enough for me. I don’t have time to go around the house and catch up to her, though.

The window gives out onto a patio bordered by a sprawling lawn, which leads, on one side, to a dense forest, and a swimming pool on the other. She’s already disappeared, and I can only assume she’s gone for the woods.

I flatten myself against the thick ledge, pushing myself through with difficulty, my suit jacket coming apart in a loud ripping sound.

“Yeah, good thinking,” says Everest, leaning casually against the door frame. “Damien’s not here, and I’m pretty sure only he can get you out of this mess.”

I don’t even bother answering him, landing outside on the soft ground.

Then I scan the place for her. No doubt about it; she set off for the forest. I can make out her footprints on the lawn, turned muddy from the light drizzle.

The minute I find you… the minute you’re mine again… it’s going to be so different. I promise, Lia.

But she’s nowhere in sight. The footsteps stop abruptly near a small forest path, and I can just make out the dirt bike tire marks that tell me… the Puicin Gang got to her first.

Damien’s words come back to me in full force. One day, they’re going to come and collect. Without even thinking, I take out my phone and dial the person I always turn to.

“Damn.” His voice comes through just one ring later. “The mayor. That’s cold, Logan. Do I have to put you on time out again?”

“Damien.” I wipe my brow, panting from my running. “They got her. The Puicin Gang came for her. They took her from me.”

I can’t help it. I fall to my knees, loud sobs wracking my body.