Chapter 42

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Just as Kinley reached the doorway to the bedroom, a strange noise drifted toward her. She froze, her pulse sprinting in her veins. Someone was here. Was it Lance?

No, she mentally shook off the though. Cam said they had him in custody. But she knew that sound—she'd recognized it immediately. It was the same soft groan the old wood emitted from the third step from the top of the landing.

Ever so slowly she ventured forward just as another creak of wood met her ears. She peered around the doorframe and her gaze collided with Max's dark eyes.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Her mind spun with confusion. He'd said he was going to wait outside—and she'd locked the door… Hadn't she?

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words jumbled on her tongue. Her gaze slid over his face, then lower. The sight of the key in his hand stopped her cold. Confusion gave way to deep, icy fear.

Her gaze jumped back to his, and the look in his eyes, once seemingly kind, now glinted with a dark intent that sent a chill down her spine.

Panic surged through her veins, and without another word, she slammed the door behind her. She fumbled with the lock, her hands shaking, finally managing to turn it with a satisfying click.

"I just want to talk, Kinley," he called through the door.

She backed away from the door, her mind racing. The only exit was the window, but the drop from the second story looked terrifying. She glanced around the room, searching for something, anything, that could help her.

A loud bang echoed through the room as Max threw himself against the door. The wood shuddered but held. For now.

"Open the damn door!" Max shouted. "I don't want to hurt you."

She ignored him, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. She couldn't stay here. She had to find a way out. Her eyes fell on the window again. It was her only option.

Another bang, louder this time. The wood frame began to give way, splintering with a sharp crack. She rushed to the window, throwing it open and looking down. The ground seemed so far away. Her heart raced as she considered the jump. Could she make it without breaking something?

A third bang, and the door bowed violently, hinges screeching under the strain. She was out of time. She swung one leg over the windowsill, gripping the frame tightly. Just as she was about to hoist herself out, the door burst open with a final, deafening crash.

Max stormed into the room, his eyes wild. She scrambled to contort herself through the small space, but he was on her in an instant. "Let me go!"

His hands wrapped around her waist, dragging her back inside. She hit the ground hard, and stars danced before her eyes. He grabbed at her hands, but fought back as hard as she could, kicking and clawing at him.

Pain sliced across her face as his palm connected with her cheek, making her teeth rattle together. Damn, that hurt!

She tried to crawl away, but he was too fast. He pinned her down, his weight pressing her into the carpet. She struggled, every muscle in her body fighting against him, but he was stronger.

The world turned topsy turvy as they rolled. Kinley blinked against the glare of the overhead light, momentarily disoriented. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, she bucked and writhed against his grip. She kicked frantically, arms pinned at her sides where he held them tightly.

Unable to form words, a series of low grunts left her throat as she thrashed against his hold. Suddenly, the weight pinning her arms loosened. The hope that sprang up in her chest was doused almost immediately as the man shifted his grip, his forearm moving up and constricting around her neck.

He leaned backward, forcing her back to arch, and the motion put strain on her throat. Black spots danced before her eyes as she struggled to draw in a breath. Two seconds passed, then three. Her lungs felt tight, like they were burning, and Max tightened his hold even more. The blackness around the edges of her vision slowly bled inward, and she lost the fight to stay awake as her body went limp.