Free Blind Run by Patricia Lewin Page B

didn’t even want to think about, so she concentrated on the children. The girl was lovely, angelic even, with soft, sweet features. The boy was her counterpart, as dark as she was light, but just as beautiful in his own way. Who were they? And what were they doing with Ethan?
    “Syd?” She turned back to Ethan. “We don’t have time for this.” He was calmer now, almost deliberately so. “I’ll explain everything later, but for now you have to trust me. There’s a man, a very dangerous man, on his way here. So please, get some clothes on, and let’s get out of here.”
    Sydney realized she’d been wrong, not even his eyes were the same. There was something frightening about them, about him, an edge of danger she’d never seen before.
    Deciding it was best, safest, to humor him, she nodded. “Okay, if you think that’s best.”
    Doubt flickered in his eyes, and she worried that she’d acquiesced too easily. Of all people, Ethan knew she wouldn’t willingly go along with this insanity.
    “Give me a couple of minutes to get dressed,” she said quickly, “and throw some things in a bag.”
    Ethan nodded, although he didn’t seem convinced. “Hurry.”
    Sydney walked to her bedroom, but when she went to close the door, Ethan grabbed it. “Leave it open.”
    She glared at him, forcing down a sharp retort. Then, turning away, she moved about her bedroom gathering clothing. At the entrance to her bathroom, she looked back at him. “Do I have to leave this open as well? Or would you rather come in and make sure I don’t climb out the window or something?”
    “Just make it quick, Sydney.” He retreated to the living room, his voice a low muffle as he spoke to the children.
    Sydney shut the bathroom door and closed her eyes, conscious of her rapidly beating pulse and angry at herself as much as at him. He wasn’t the man she’d known, he was different, sick maybe, and definitely dangerous. Her response to him was insane. He was unstable, and the sooner she could get away from him, the better.
    After turning on the faucet full force, she took out her cell phone. It took less than a minute to place her call, and her only regret was that she hadn’t done it before letting Ethan into her apartment. Once she hung up, she let the minutes stretch out as she cleaned up and dressed, pulling on a pair of jeans and a knit top. She had to give the police time to arrive. Back in the bedroom, she slipped the cell phone into her purse, then took down her overnight bag and started filling it with toiletries.
    Ethan appeared in the doorway. “Come on, Sydney, you’ve had enough time.”
    “Just give me a few more—”
    Two quick strides and he was beside her, one hand taking her arm, while the other grabbed her jacket, purse, and half-filled bag. “We have to go. Now.”
    He’d hustled her into the living room before she could stop him. “Take your hands off me.” She pulled free, her resolve to remain calm shattered. “I told you I’d come, you don’t have to manhandle me.”
    “You’re stalling.” He shoved her jacket into her hands.
    She slipped it on, the supple leather reminding her that he’d given it to her for their third wedding anniversary. Paper, cotton, leather, fruit, wood, and candy: the traditional gifts for the first six years of a marriage, and he hadn’t missed one. A true romantic, or so she’d thought until he’d walked out on her.
    “I was just getting my things together.” She had a hard time keeping the anger out of her voice.
    He eyed her the way he did when trying to see past her words, then motioned to the children. “Come on, we’re getting out of here, with or without Dr. Decker.”
    A knock on the door stopped them.
    He looked at her, a spark of anger in his eyes. “Who’d you call?”
    She backed away from him, her hands raised. “It’s okay, Ethan, they’re here to help. You’re not well.”
    “Shit.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Danny, take your sister