Page 75 of Dirty Behavior

Walking over to the rope, Del kept his eyes on me. But as he started to fiddle with the corded strip dangling from the ceiling, he lost all interest in me.

I watched as he got annoyed with the rope, his hands trying aimlessly to tie it, only to watch it slip free.

Now! Now, Ivy!

Go!

Jumping to my feet, I ran to the door and threw it open. Del was slow as shit. He might have worked as a surprise threat from behind a corner, but he could never catch me.

I ran. I ran through the exit, I ran for freedom.

My feet pounded against the dirty cement, ready and willing to trade it for rough soil. I wobbled side to side in one boot, never looking back.

I was gone.

I could hear Del yelling behind me, screaming for me stop.

Was he really that stupid to think I would listen?

Did he really expect me to stop altogether and just turn to go back to him?

No fucking way.

His voice faded, deep coughing and thick breaths filled the space. He was trying like hell to catch me, and I knew why. Remo would kill him for letting me go.

A shot rang out, the loud thud of Del's body collapsed to the floor. His voice went from screaming my name to gurgling apologies.

“You stupid fat piece of shit!” Remo's words crashed through my skull, filling in the empty void behind me. “You fucked up, you fucked up big time!” A second shot exploded, Del's voice disappearing into a final gasp.

And I kept running, hall after hall, turn after turn, I just wanted to feel the fresh air wash across my face. If I could get out, I could get to my car, I could get away.

I could have a chance.

But Remo was so close, I wasn't sure if I'd make it.

His feet matched mine, step for step, thud for thud. And he was gaining on me. They came louder, they came faster. And he knew where he was going. . .

Or better yet, where I was going.

I didn't know this fucking place at all. It was a foreign land and I was moving on gut instinct, taking corners and halls by sheer guess. I tried to think of it as cave diving, I was feeling for a cross breeze, tasting the air and trying to find the salty crunch I needed to get outside.

I pushed myself, forced myself to move quicker. My heel drove in, toes forcing myself forward. I didn't care, I was going to run until he either caught me or shot me in the back.

If I can't get out, I'll hide, I can't let him have me.

But I wouldn't give up.

Remo would have to kill me to get what he wanted.

Because he would never have me alive again.