Allie Jo
“Come on, come on,” I urge hoarsely, pressing open the panel to the secret nanny staircase.
Chase starts pounding up the stairs. The wood screams his every step.
“NO!” I swing the door shut. “He’ll hear you.”
“But—” Chase cuts himself off as we hear the door to the sunporch blast open. Heavy footsteps stumble into the hotel.
In the darkness of the staircase, I hold my breath.
Each footfall is a threat. His ragged gasping is a curse in my ears. If only the hotel could swallow him up and flush him out, but, no, it can’t—I’m the one who brought him here.
I betrayed her.
I’m horrible. I’m no good. I’m the worst person in the world.
His footsteps plod past us. Chase stirs, but Tara whispers, “Be still.”
If she’ll stay here after this, I promise to never tell anyone about her. Just let her forgive me.
Before I can think another thought, her hand grasps mine and holds it tightly.
We’re about to move when we hear Clay’s voice coming down the hallway. “You say they went up through the panel?”
“Run!” I shout.