Count to Ten by Karen Rose

Author:Karen Rose [Rose, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance Suspense
ISBN: 9780446616904
Publisher: Vision
Published: 2006-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Thursday, November 30, 3:10 A.M.

What the hell are you doing?” Startled, Brooke looked up from the computer. Her roommate stood in the hall, her iPod in her hand. “It’s three a.m.,” Roxanne said.

“I don’t know what to do,” Brooke murmured.

Roxanne sighed. “You can’t do any more tonight, Brooke. Go to sleep.”

“I tried. I can’t. All I can think of are bills and loans and debts. I can’t sleep.”

Roxanne’s expression softened in sympathy. “It’ll be okay. You’ll find another job.”

“I don’t think so. I’ve been searching all night. There’s nothing open around here.”

“You’ll find something. Now go to bed, Brooke. You’ll just make yourself sick with worry and then you really won’t be able to find a job.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right. But without a recommendation from Bixby, it’s going to be close to impossible to find anyone who’ll even consider me.”

“I still think you should sue the bastard, no matter what Devin’s lawyer friend thinks.”

Devin had called his lawyer friend from Flannagan’s, but the friend had told him that her claim would be hard to prove and it would take a long time. She didn’t have a long time. She only had forty-two dollars in the bank. “I might. But that doesn’t help me now. I’m almost broke.” She closed her eyes. “You may need to find another roommate.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’ve got to get to sleep. Bach’s lullabies work. You should try it.” Pressing the earphones to her ears, she headed to her room.

It’ll take more than Bach to relax me, Brooke thought. She went into the kitchen and found the brandy she saved for special occasions. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was strong enough to do the trick. She downed a glass, then poured herself another and sat at the kitchen table. She sipped at the second glass, despair overwhelming.

She had no money. She couldn’t call her parents. They were living on next to nothing as it was. Hate surged. Bixby was a bastard. I did nothing wrong. She gulped more brandy, bitterly resigned. It didn’t matter. She’d be out of a job just the same.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d sat brooding when she heard it.

Click. She looked up, trying to place the noise. Then walked to the kitchen doorway to stare at the front door. It was opening. With a key. Somebody has my key.

Call 911. Where was the cordless? She stumbled to the counter, pulled a butcher knife from the block. Oh God. She ran to the living room. Where was the phone?

Then her mouth fell open as the man came through the door. He held a knife. Recognition was instantaneous, but she had no time to even say his name before his hand flattened over her mouth and he twisted her wrist. Her butcher knife fell to the floor.

Eyes wide with horror, she saw the metal of his long, thin blade before it swept down and pressed against her throat. He’s going to kill me. She struggled and the blade pressed a little harder.

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