Free A New Journey (Second Chance #3) by Christina Escue Page A

the family room and looked out the front door. She saw a black sedan sitting across from the house and looked back at Karla. “There’s a black car right across from the house. Now what’s going on?”
    “I was hoping I was imagining things.” Karla said and sank to the floor where she stood. “I can’t believe he’s here. I don’t know how he found me.” She mumbled to herself as she pulled her knees to her chest and laid her head on them.
    “Sweetheart, please tell me what happened.” Leslie said as she sank to the floor beside Karla.
    Karla looked up and Leslie saw the fear in her eyes. “I was driving home from the Anderson’s and a car pulled out in front of me and slowed down. I wasn’t really worried at first, but I pulled my phone from my purse just in case. When the car slowed down a little more I started to get worried. When we reached the place where the road changes to four lanes I went to pass the car, but I glanced over to see if the driver was alright. Mom, the driver of the car was Tony. He smiled at me as I passed him and he followed me the rest of the way home. He’s sitting outside right now.”
    “Are you sure it’s him? It’s hard to see into a car at night and you haven’t seen him in over two years.”
    “I thought the same thing, but after I pulled into the garage he stopped the car at the end of the driveway and I saw his face clearly as the door closed. He smiled the same way he did that night. I thought I had moved past that, but seeing him brings it all back to the surface.”
    “Can I use your phone? Mine is in the kitchen still and I need to call Andrew and Trent.”
    Karla handed her phone to Leslie and dropped her head back to her knees. “Where’s Elliot?”
    “He’s with Andrew and Manuel. They went to help Kiara rearrange her dorm room.” Leslie answered as she put the phone to her ear.
    “Karla?” Trent asked when he answered the phone.
    “Trent, its Leslie. I’m sorry to bother you, but can you come by the house? Karla was followed home tonight and the man who followed her is parked across from the house.”
    “Does she know who it is?” Trent asked as he grabbed his keys off the counter.
    “She says it’s Tony.” Leslie said in a quiet voice.
    “On my way. Call me back if he leaves or tries anything.” Trent said as he jumped in his car and pealed out of his driveway. “I’ll be there in under ten minutes.”
    “Thank you, Trent.” Leslie said and ended the call as she peeked out the window again. The car was still out there, but she didn’t see the man sitting behind the wheel any longer.
    “Mom, can you come upstairs with me? I want to grab my tablet and email Conner, but I don’t want to go alone.”
    “Sure, honey.” Leslie answered and pulled Karla to her feet. They had just made it to Karla’s room when the security alarm started going off. Leslie pushed Karla though her bedroom door and locked it behind them. “Let’s get in your closet. Trent is on his way.”
    Karla nodded and hurried to her closet. Once inside Leslie locked that door too and they crouched down in the corner. She still had Karla’s phone in her hand so she called Trent again. When he answered she immediately started talking. “Trent, I think he’s messing around the house. The alarm is going off and Karla and I have locked ourselves in her closet.”
    “I’m still about five minutes from you. I’ll call it in, you two just stay there and turn the volume off on the phone just in case he’s in the house.”
    “Okay.” Leslie whispered and hit the end key. She silenced the phone and wrapped her arms around Karla. “It’s going to be okay. Trent will be here in just a few minutes and he’s calling in back-up.”
    “I’m so scared.” Karla admitted in an almost soundless whisper.
    “Me too, honey, but we will be alright.” Leslie reassured her.
    They sat there for a minute before Karla stood up abruptly. “Mom, I smell smoke.”
    As soon as the words