Chapter OnePrint this Page
The porch light was out.
Shauna Trenton made a mental note to change the bulb as she pulled into her driveway. One more thing to add to her ever-growing Saturday to-do list. And shed better not forget to do it or shed hear about it on Sunday. Her day of rest.
More like a day to listen to her mother explain all the reasons why Shauna needed a man in her life. As if having a boyfriend or fiancé or husband would solve all of lifes troubles. Shauna nearly snorted at the thought. Matthew sure hadnt done that. All her former fiancé had done was cost her a boatload of cash and a broken heart. Not the first time her heart had broken, but it would be the last.
She grabbed her book bag and purse from the passenger seat and opened the car door. The cool November day had turned into a cold, dark night while shed met with parents and discussed their childrens progress. At least tomorrow was Saturday. No parents. No students. Just a whole day puttering around the house, catching up on chores.
"Pitiful is more like it," she muttered as she fished keys out of her purse and jogged up the porch steps.
A soft sound carried through the darkness. Footfall on grass, fabric rustling as someone drew near. Shauna stiffened, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart leaping as she saw a shadow moving across the lawn. Medium height. Heavyset. Face hidden in darkness. A neighbor or a stranger?
"Can I help you?" She kept her gaze focused on the approaching figure as she shoved the key in the lock and tried to turn it. It stuck. Of course. Fixing the old lock was another to-do list item. She wiggled the key, her palm sweaty and slipping on the metal door handle.
"Come on!" The key turned, and she shoved the door open as the figure sprinted forward, pounding up the stairs behind her, slamming into her with enough force to send her flying into the door frame.
She screamed, her purse and book bag dropping as she turned to fight. Screamed again as she caught sight of a faceless, featureless person. An inhuman creature.
No. A human wearing a mask.
Carrying a knife!
A knife pointed at Shaunas heart.
"Whatever you want, you can have it." The door was right behind her. Another step and shed be inside. If she didnt get a knife thrust through her chest first.
The knife-wielding lunatic snagged the book bag and purse, the knife grazing Shaunas brand-new pants and slicing a neat hole in them.
At least it hadnt sliced her leg, but it might if she didnt get her head together and move.
"Everything okay over here?" A masculine voice broke through the darkness, and Shaunas attacker turned toward the sound.
This was her chance, and Shauna took it, jumping back and slamming the door, her fingers shaking as she tried to turn the lock. It finally slid home. She pressed her back against the door, her heart beating so hard she thought it might burst from her chest.
The doorbell rang, the lilting chime making her jump.
"Your new neighbor, Levi McLeary. Is everything okay?"
Levi McLeary? As in sinfully handsome, darkly compelling Levi McLeary? Shaunas first date, first kiss, first love?
No way. It couldnt be him.
She peered out the peephole, searching the darkness and finding a tall figure standing on the porch. The tilt of his head, the confident ease of his stance they were hauntingly familiar, and her breath caught, her pulse raced.
It was him.
After twelve years, Levi was back.
Shauna didnt know if she should open the door, or run and hide.
"Maam?" He called out, and she knew she had no choice.
She took a deep breath, braced herself and unlocked the door.