Kylie Bray (Love, Hate and Billions) novel Chapter 41

My guard Andrew is off tonight so I have the beams on in case some clever person tries to break in.

I move through the kitchen door and down my long wide passage and into the entrance hall. I key in my alarm code, putting off the beams, and switch on the outside lights.

Opening my door, I wait patiently in my dirty clothes for my friend. A minute or two passes and I don't see her red car, or lights coming up my driveway which is weird.

After a few more minutes, I frown and close the door, going back into my kitchen.

Picking up my plate of food, I sit on the other side of my centered counter, my feet dangling off the edge.

The intercom ring just as I shove a prawn in my mouth, huffing in annoyance I jump down the counter and go to the intercom, I press the answer button this time,

“Who is there?”

I wait to hear something, total silence on the other end greets me.

“Whoever the fuck you are don't waste my time.” I snap because it must be some bored person playing a prank, well attempting to.

There is a crackle, and two distinctive words, from a very familiar voice, comes through,

“Help me.”

My eyes widen in shock.

I don't think about it, I fucking run through my house out the door, and sprint to my gate. When I get to my driveway, I see her.

Her hands are gripping the metal bars like a lifeline.

I rush to her, only now I realize that I don't have keys to open.

“Hang in there, I'm coming,” I tell her.

I rush toward one of my cars, parked outside, open the door and grab the remote.

My fingers press the button. Leaving the car door open, I rush back to the woman that has been missing for so long.

She falls to the floor, crawling as the gates open. I get to her and bend down helping her up, she's so light, so frail.

Her legs threatened to give out.

I touch her ribs, causing her to groan in pain.

Long hair falling in knotted pieces blocks her face as her head hangs from weakness.

It takes me ten minutes to get to the house, half dragging her, half carrying her.

I push the door open with my leg and we both almost fall to the floor.

Holding the door to keep us up, I right myself, holding her tight.

Taking her to the kitchen takes a lifetime.