Reina’s lungs ached, each breath she took ragged and sharp as she forced herself through the narrow drainage gap. Her arms burned from her bruises, her clothes tore, and her knees scraped against the rough stone. But finally—finally—she felt the cool night air brush her face from the other side.
She was out, finally free from him.
She crouched low, her heart pounding, her eyes darted toward the distant tree line. Just a few more yards and she’d reach cover. Then she could—
A loud voice shattered the night behind her.
“There! By the wall!”
No.
She didn’t stop to think—she ran. Her legs, though aching badly, moved on instinct, driving her forward through the garden’s outer edge.
But it was too late.
A sharp bark from a security dog split the air, followed by rapid footsteps pounding
