Page 11

“Please, just let me go. You don't have to kill me, I'm not a threat to you.”

Firm fingers dug into my hips, slinging me around and placing me back on my feet. But he didn't let go, slipping his hand up my arm, he dug his nails into my bicep.

“Kill you? Do you think I just. . .” Pausing, his eyes fell over my face. “I'm not going to kill you, at least not if you don't make me.” A slight smirk teased his lips as his lids hooded. “Sit.” Forcing me down into a chair, he took a small step back. “There's nowhere for you to run, so if you really don't want to die, then I suggest you stay put. Running. . .” Pausing, he pushed his shirt back to show me the handle of his gun in his waist. “Runningwillget you a bullet to the back of the fucking head.”

Curling my fingertips under the chair, I squeezed hard, cutting my nails into the cushion. “Look, I don't know who you are, and honestly, I don't care. What happened was between you and that other guy, it doesn't involve me.”

“It didn't involve you, but the second you stepped foot in that bathroom with me, you dragged yourself into this.” Tugging his phone out of his pocket, he thumbed the screen and held it to his ear. “It's me. . .”

The man turned slightly, keeping me in his peripheral vision. I couldn't hear everything he was saying, only catching quick phrases I had no way to make sense of.

“It didn't work, I'm still here.”

“I won't stop—”

Growling, the man dragged his hand through his hair. Going quiet, he listened to whoever was on the other end if the line, scratching at his jaw. “You're a fucking dead man.”

Hanging up his phone, he turned back to face me. His eyes were sad, glinting like liquid metal. He didn't speak for a long second, just staring at me as if he suddenly felt sorry for me.

“Okay, let's go.” Waving his hand, he held out his arm, trying to signal for me to get up.

“Where are we going?” I asked, kicking my legs back and forth nervously. As far as I was concerned, we were good right there. My car was nearby, there were people all around us, people who could get me help, people who could save me from this killer.

Rolling his eyes, he stepped forward and snagged my arm, yanking me to my feet. “You don't get to ask questions, you just follow orders and do as your told. That's how this shit goes, so come on.”

Taking a giant step, the man dragged me behind him as he made his way through the empty building and to a small garage. Pulling keys from his pocket, he clicked the button and the headlights of a car flashed on.

No, no, no. Where is he taking me?

Guiding me to the passenger seat, he opened the door. “Get in.”

I'm not going anywhere with you!

Holding the edge of the roof, I resisted his attempt to push me into the seat. “I. . . I don't want to. My car is right outside, just let me go and you'll never see me again.”

Leaning in close, he brought his nose to mine so he could stare directly into my eyes. “This is your last warning. Do as I say or my next move won't be so kind.” Pulling the gun from his waist, he shook it back and forth. “I'm not playing this game with you. I already told you what you need to do, so do it.”

“Okay, alright, I'm getting in.” Holding up my palms, I dropped into the seat, and tucked my hands under my thighs.

I wasn't going to fight him. Not yet, not without better protection for myself or a place to run to. For now I was going to listen to him. I would do as I was told, but not because he wanted me to.

I was doing it so I could keep going and not end up in a communal grave with that other man.

I was doing it to stay alive.