63

Eros

I hear the scream as I come up the steps, a bag of breakfast sandwiches in one hand and a carrier with two coffees in the other. I'm humming to myself, floating on a cloud. I figured I'd treat Cara to breakfast from my favorite local spot not too far away and wanted to take the drive myself to clear my head.

Last night's debauchery still lingers like a comforting blanket.

But that scream has my body pounding with adrenaline.

I know that sound. I know that tone. It's a scream of pure, utter horror, of an animal trapped in a life-or-death struggle.

And it's coming from my room.

I drop the coffee and sandwiches as I sprint down the hall. My heart's racing, my brain working. I released Alonzo early this morning, told the kid to get some rest—which means Cara is alone.

Nobody else would go near my wing of the house, not this early in the morning.

She's alone, all alone, with no weapons, no protection, nothing.

Fuck, I shouldn't have left her, but I thought my enemies were busy fightin