Chapter 55

I’m not sure if a bullet struck her, but I know Ava is out here somewhere with my baby. My sweet, beautiful Mia.

The rain coming down on me like shards of glass, I survey the yard. I can’t see a thing except the silhouette of a palm tree that’s swaying madly in the fierce wind. That and the knife in my hand.

My blood pounding, a wash of fear pours over me. What if I take a misstep and fall into the pool? I told Ava I could swim, but the truth is I can’t. And what if I fall and crack my head? And there’s this: The property is on a bluff and I can’t see two feet in front of me. What if I accidentally step over the edge and fall to my death?

My heart hammers as I carefully, blindly navigate the wet, slippery yard, listening for any sign of Ava and my baby.

“Ava,” I call out, “I’ve got a gun. You don’t stand a chance.” I’m bluffing her, but I’m sure the gullible bitch will fall for it. “Just give me my baby, and I’ll let you live.”

I won’t.

I take a few steps to the right when suddenly I slip on something and lose my balance. Flailing my arms, there’s nothing I can do to break my fall. I can feel my heart in my throat, my equilibrium thrown off. With a shriek, I tumble to the wet pavement, falling hard on my knees and hands. My latex gloves shredded, my soaked sweats torn, I feel the sting of raw, scraped skin crawl up my limbs. For a split second, I long to cry out to my sister or my mother to come help me. To carry me to safety and lovingly bandage my wounds.

A clap of thunder catapults me back to the moment. The knife is still in my hand, and I’m grateful I didn’t stab myself. Painfully, I crouch, my knees burning through the holes in my sweats, and then place my raw palm, the one not gripping the knife, against the cold wet pavers to boost me to standing.

I regain my senses, my balance, and my purpose, then spin around in search of Ava. Blinded by the torrential rain and the black-out, I don’t see her. But she can’t be far.

Dizzy, I take a few staggering steps to the left when I trip again and go sliding across the hard wet surface, this time landing spreadeagled on the ground and smashing my face. Stars circle my eyes as red-hot liquid pours from my nostrils. It hurts so much. Tonguing the metallic tang, I think I’ve broken my nose. The knife still in my grasp, my left hand clutches a hard, slick small object.

One of the pool table balls.

Goddamn Ava! She booby-trapped me!

Once again, I manage to rise. It takes all my strength to conquer the relentless forces of the storm. Regain my balance. Winded, I feel dizzier, more unsteady than before.

Though I can’t pinpoint my location nor see beyond the mile-high cliffside property, a sudden wave of vertigo sweeps over me.

I swallow it back. I can’t let my fear of heights get in the way of my mission.

Adrenaline pumps through my veins.

And some greater force consumes me. Pure unadulterated hatred.

Then a flash of lightning…

I see her.