Dark Hope (The Devil's Assistant) by H.D. Smith

disappear?
    I took out my phone, quickly checking Omar’s contact. There was no number listed by his name. When I put it away, I spotted one of the security guards from reception heading my way.
    I backed toward the elevator. My heart pounded, and my breath came out in short gasps.
    “Is everything all right, Miss Cooper?” the guard asked.
    I nodded, moving quickly to the panel. Impatiently I tapped the up arrow three or four times, as if that would make it come faster. I had to get out of here.
    Hurrying to my desk, I kept my head lowered. I opened a drawer and snatched up my bag. As I turned to leave, I paused when my eyes landed on the red file folder. Impulsively, I swiped Janus’s corporate credit card.
    I froze when the elevator dinged. A moment later the door opened, but no one stepped off. I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I had to get out of here. Now.
    Normally I walked home, but I didn’t want to be predictable today. Too many things had gone wrong. I took the subway.
    There was no relief when I entered my apartment. Jack wasn’t here and still no text.
    Every part of my being was telling me to avoid the quads. They were dangerous, cruel, vindictive, and immortal. Because their mother was a pagan, they were very easy on the eyes, but Cinnamon, Sage, Sorrel, and Mace were as deadly as they were beautiful.
    I hadn’t lied to Omar. I was willing to risk it all for my freedom, but the quads were...more. More dangerous, more cunning, more uncontrolled madness. What had he seen? Could I really save my soul?
    I attempted to call Jack again. No answer. I wanted to explain some version of the truth before I left. I didn’t want to die thinking he hated me. Rushing to change out of my suit, I remembered seeing Jack’s gym bag on the closet floor this morning. It was gone now. Sighing, I realized he was probably at the gym blowing off steam. His phone would be in his locker. I’d stop by the gym before I left town.
    I changed into something less ‘office’ and more ‘run for your life’—jeans and a t-shirt. I had no clean socks. I opened Jack’s sock drawer hoping to find a pair that might fit. My hand brushed against something hard, and something under the socks in the back flashed red. I plucked it out, stumbling to the bed.
    A ring box.
    I sat there staring at the box. Was this what he wanted to talk to me about? With trembling fingers, I flipped up the lid.
    Empty. I forced back tears and took out my phone again and texted, “Where are you? Please call.”
    Had he taken the ring with him? If only The Boss hadn’t sent me downtown, I would’ve met Jack for lunch. We would’ve talked. I would know if this meant something. Why isn’t he responding? I wiped away a tear. Was he mad? My hand tightened around the box. Did he think I was seeing someone else? God, I hope not . I put the box back.
    I slipped on my shoes and slung my bag across my body.
    I was writing “I Love You” on the whiteboard in the kitchen, when I heard voices coming toward the apartment.
    Jack ? My hope disappeared when I recognized Quaid’s deep voice. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Two people approached the door.
    “Let me do the talking,” he said.
    “If that doesn’t work?” the other man asked.
    “Do what you have to.”
    I bolted for the back bedroom.
    I opened the window and peered outside. The fire escape was old, but it was the only other way out of the apartment. I didn’t see anyone in the alley. But they could be just around the corner. I sucked in a breath as a knock sounded at the front door. Before jumping outside, I looked up and down the alley one more time.
    Trying to ignore the rickety stairs, I hurried down the steps to the bottom of the first floor landing. The ladder broke off its rails last month, and the super hadn’t fixed it yet.
    I hesitated for a moment—I didn’t want to break my leg. I glanced up at voices coming from the apartment. Crap . I left the window open. There