A Queen Returns

Chapter7

When I woke up, I was in my bed at the hotel. What the hell just happened?

We were just driving in the truck… then I remembered we were being followed.

I immediately jumped out of bed, ran out of the room, and into the living room. Dimitri wasn’t there.

“Dimitri? Are you here?”

No answer.

I rushed back into my room and grabbed the phone he’d left on the dresser. I scrolled until I found his name and hit call. It rang a few times before he answered.

“Vic, are you okay?”

I let out a shaky breath. “Why the hell would you leave me by myself after we just got f*****g followed? How do you know they didn’t follow us here?”

There was a pause before he responded. “Vic, calm down. I went to the police station to inform Officer Michael what was going on. You’re safe. I have bodyguards posted outside the hotel room just to be safe.”

How could he be so calm?

“Dimitri, I swear to Jesus, if you don’t get your ass back here right now, I am leaving and you won’t see me anymore.”

I hung up before he could respond and tossed the phone onto the bed. I wanted to scream, but if he really had guards outside, they’d break the door down thinking something was wrong — and then I’d feel like a complete i***t.

I walked to the door and made sure it was locked, then headed into the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes and turned on the shower. Once it was warm enough, I stepped in.

I just needed to relax. Maybe I shouldn’t have yelled at him like that. He was trying to help. But if he knew my family’s killer was still out there, why the hell would he leave me alone?

Maybe I should’ve stayed with Officer Michael. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about being left alone.

I stayed in the shower for what felt like hours. Then I heard banging on the bedroom door.

My heart shot into my throat.

Oh my God. The killer is coming to get me.

The banging grew louder. Panic took over. I curled into a ball on the shower floor, hugging my legs to my chest.

This is it. I’m going to die alone in the shower. At least I’ll be with my parents and my best friend.

The door slammed open.

“Vic! Are you okay? What happened?”

The shower turned off, and something warm was wrapped around me before strong arms lifted me and carried me to the bed.

He kept me covered. “Vic, answer me. Are you okay?”

I slowly opened my eyes. Dimitri was staring at me, tears in his eyes.

“I thought the killer found me when I heard the banging,” I whispered.

He looked down at the floor. “I’m sorry, Vic. I was calling for you and you didn’t answer. I panicked. I thought you left… or someone got in and took you.”

I could tell he meant every word.

“It’s fine,” I said softly. “But um… can you get me some clothes? I’m completely naked over here.”

Dimitri glanced down at me, and for a moment his eyes darkened — like they changed color — before returning to normal. He rushed to the closet, grabbed pants and a shirt, and left the room.

What the hell was that? Did his eyes really change?

I got up, dropped the towel, and put on the clothes.

“Dimitri, you can come back in now. I’m dressed!”

He cracked the door open and peeked in. “I’m really sorry, Vic. I just had to let Michael know what was going on. You were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. Now can we eat? I’m starving.”

He chuckled. “Your wish is my command, princess.”

He walked out, dialing his phone. “Yeah, it’s Dimitri. Can you have some Chinese brought up to my room, please?”

He hung up and turned to me. “What do you want to do while we wait?”

I grabbed the remote and flipped through channels until I found a movie called BloodRayne. It looked decent, so I left it on. Dimitri came back with a juice for me and some weird-ass soda for himself. We watched until a knock sounded at the door.

“Room service!”

Dimitri stood and checked the peephole. His expression changed instantly.

“Vic, go to your room and hide. Now.”

My stomach dropped. Panic surged again.

Dimitri rushed to me. “Vic, listen. Go to your room. I’ll be right behind you.”

I ran down the hall. When I looked back, he was shoving furniture in front of the door. Then the door was kicked off its hinges.

I tried to see who it was, but Dimitri grabbed my hand and yanked me into the room and toward the closet. He pressed a button on the wall, and a hidden door appeared.

He dragged me with him until I tripped and fell.

“Vic, come on! You have to get up — we have to go!”

I ripped my hand from his. “Dimitri, I need a damn minute! You’ve been dragging me like a rag doll. I’m out of breath!”

He looked behind me — fear in his eyes — and then a loud bang echoed through the house.

Before I could react, he scooped me up like a newborn and sprinted down the hidden passage. We reached another wall. He threw me over his shoulder, punched in a code, and the wall opened. We ran through, and he hit another button. A steel door slammed down behind us.

“That’s not going to hold him,” Dimitri said. “We have to leave. I’m sorry, but the funeral has to start now so they think we went to your parents’ house.”

He pulled out his phone. “Michael, it’s Dimitri. Do it. Start the funeral now. They’re trying to get Vic. I have to get her out before it’s too late.”

I stared at him, confused, but he was already running again.

He carried me straight into a forest. He stopped at a mud puddle and dropped me in it before smearing mud all over himself.

“Dimitri! What the hell?!”

He didn’t answer.

“Why do we have to leave now? I want to bury my parents!” Anger surged — and then the pain hit my stomach again.

Dimitri touched my forehead. “s**t. This isn’t good.”

He picked me up and ran until we reached a huge tree. He punched a hole in it and pulled out a hidden bag. He rummaged through it and pulled out a syringe.

“Vic, I know you’re confused, but this will help with the pain. Please trust me. I would never hurt you. I’ll explain one day, but right now I need to get you to my place. It’s the only safe place.”

I couldn’t even speak. The pain was too much.

He injected the medicine into my leg and tossed the syringe back into the bag.

“Vic, you won’t be able to talk for a bit. Your body’s going to be exhausted. I’ll carry you until we reach the safe house. We’ll be safe for a day or two before we have to move again.”

I nodded weakly.

He carried me for what felt like hours until we reached a large house surrounded by steel fencing. He punched in a code at the gate and carried me inside, laying me on the couch. He brought me water and helped me sit up.

“Dimitri… what happened? Who was that?”

He sat beside me. “Honestly? I don’t know. They were wearing a mask. I just knew I had to keep you safe.”

He stood. “Vic, I have to go back for a few things. You’re safe here — the mud covered your scent. Here’s a new phone. My number’s already in it. If you hear anything, call me immediately.”

I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “You’re really going to leave me here alone after that thing chased us for miles?”

He knelt so we were eye level. “I promise I’ll explain more when I get back. But I have to cover our tracks so whoever that was can’t find you.”

Tears stung my eyes. He wiped one away.

“Vic, I know this is terrifying. Keep the lights off. Go into the basement — there’s a safe room with cameras, food, water. And whatever you do, don’t wash off the mud. It’ll keep you safe.”

How the hell is mud supposed to keep me safe?

“Dimitri, what is going on? You’re not leaving me here alone—”

But he touched my shoulder, and my eyes grew heavy. I felt him lift me and carry me somewhere, but everything was foggy.

I didn’t fall asleep — just woozy. When I opened my eyes, I panicked.

Where the hell was I? Where was Dimitri?

I stood and noticed cameras on the far wall. I walked over and checked the monitors. Nothing. I found a chest with water bottles and grabbed one, then sat in front of the screens.

Dimitri, where the hell are you? You have a lot of explaining to do.

Hours passed. Then someone appeared at the gate — wearing a mask. He lifted his head and sniffed the air.

No way. He can’t smell me… can he?

I grabbed the phone. It was on silent. I texted Dimitri:

“The masked guy is at the gate. What do I do?”

The man kicked the gate off its hinges.

Dimitri replied:

“Stay in that room. Do not make a sound. You’re safe in there. Nothing can get through. Where is he now?”

I looked up. The masked man was at the front door. Then he turned toward the camera — his eyes glowing bright red — before kicking the door off its hinges.

I texted again:

“Dimitri, hurry. He’s inside the house!”

He responded:

“Vic, underneath the bed is a hatch. Open it and get inside. Be quiet. Once you’re in, don’t come out until I get you. Don’t answer the phone. Slow your heart rate. I’m coming.”

I lifted the hatch. It looked tiny, but I didn’t have a choice. It was this or die.

I climbed inside and sealed it. It wasn’t as small as it looked — but not big either. I found a corner and curled up, hugging my legs to my chest.

Please hurry, Dimitri. I don’t want to die.