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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

N ina twisted her head from side to side. That hotel bed had been lumpy at best. She’d woken up with a crick in her neck, tired from a night spent wrestling with the sheets.

The backpack on her shoulder definitely didn’t soothe the ache. Nina grabbed the right strap and held on to give her back muscles some reprieve.

She slowed down her walk, schooling her breath.

One step in front of the other, Nina.

Glasgow’s Argyle Street was busy with people shopping for Christmas, rushing towards the train stations, or queuing up to catch the bus. In all this chaos and early darkness of November, she had to find the ‘leaflet’ guy outside a mobile repair shop.

She had reached out to Finn again, begging him for another expedited ID. He’d grumbled, saying how none of his clients had returned to ask for a new ID just a couple weeks after he’d given them the first one. Apparently, she was a psycho case. Nina had a mind to ask if Finn would agree to a retainer. At this rate, she’d need a new ID every so often.

Things weren’t looking so good; she was running out of cash. This was the last ID she could afford.

She’d budgeted some cash for her basic living expenses. Even if she lived outside of Glasgow, sooner or later, she’d need to find a job, something that didn’t require any background checks or an employment contract with a notice period.

In her twenty years in the work force, Nina had always been a journalist. She hadn’t worked in a job that required minimum commitments. Her work had been high stress, ambiguous hours and constant pressure. All things she loved. Now she’d left everything behind. All her dear things – memorabilia from dream trips, her collection of designer boots and her expensive tech was all lost.

Except for a few changes of clothes, her favourite boots, laptop and Jonas’s camera, Nina had nothing with her. A situation she’d never thought she’d find herself in again.

Nina shut the lid on the memories of that rainy day she’d arrived at Heathrow, all her belongings packed in a suitcase. Guess she’d come full circle.

Nina let go of her backpack’s strap, again twisting her head. It helped relieve the pain and also with hunting for her leaflet guy.

Last night, Finn had sent her instructions. She had to find a man handing out leaflets near a mobile phone repair shop. The man would hand a leaflet to her which would actually be an envelope containing her new identity.

Finn was a godsend, though his delivery plans were a bit weird. And cumbersome.

Nina walked along the pavement, conscious of how long it would take her to get there. Finn had instructed her to be there by half five. It was around fifteen minutes past five now, and she was slowly approaching the shop.

He’d warned her of being too early or too late. They only had two minutes’ wiggle room either side of half five. Why? He hadn’t bothered to explain. Nor did Nina care to know. She’d follow his lead and hope that this new ID would be her last.

The mobile phone repair shop came into view not a minute later. A string of neon lights gleamed in the window, beckoning people to enter and bejewel their phones or repair cracked phone screens.

Under normal circumstances, Nina would never venture into such a shop – she liked her phone as plain as the day she’d bought it – though she didn’t have a phone now.

To avoid loitering outside the shop and risking an early arrival, Nina paused by the shop three doors down.

Shoes. Now this she could spend hours perusing. Nina stood staring at the window displays, each shoe gleaming, perfect for the festive season. They had a pair of glittery snow boots, fuzzy slippers for the cold and some beautiful heeled faux leather ones… in dark red.

In other circumstances, she’d have walked in to at least try them on. But now, Nina pivoted, so she could keep an eye on the repair shop.

There was a man outside, trying to hand people leaflets. He was tall and broad – with a muscular back visible despite his coat – not the sort you generally found on the streets handing out things to people. They generally liked more average-height folk who blended in.

This man stood out. And so did his deep voice.

He seemed to be doing a great job, particularly with women. Instead of steering away from him, like most people did when they saw someone handing out leaflets, people were walking towards him.

What were his leaflets about?

Nina wished he’d turn round so she could put a face to that broad back and fine arse silhouetted perfectly against the flashing Christmas lights. Instead, all she had to go on was his beanie, which hid most of his hair, and the collar of his coat, which covered his neck to keep the cold at bay. Just her luck! But he would be handing her the documents soon.

Excitement bubbled in her stomach… or was it nervousness?

Stop it, Nina! You’re only here to get your documents.

Perhaps that was Finn. Despite being a techie, the man kept a strict exercise schedule – and had the muscles to show for it. Though he was too young to crush on.

Nina adjusted the backpack strap again, cleared her throat then checked the clock. Five minutes to go. No time like the present to get a move on, was there?

She didn’t hurry towards him; instead, she peeked at the other shop window – they sold vapes. Then another shopfront, this one with its shutters down.

With exactly one minute to go, Nina approached the leaflet man. She took a step and opened her mouth to ask for a leaflet when she felt her backpack drop to the ground.

Shocked, she checked to see what had happened when a warm gust of air tickled her right ear. ‘Going somewhere, beautiful?’

That voice was familiar now. Eerily so. Shah. How on earth had he got out?

Something hard pierced the spot between her shoulders. And his arm snaked around her waist, tugging her to his flabby torso. ‘Let’s not run away this time, or I won’t hesitate to push the knife in deeper.’

He dug the blade in so its tip pressed into her vertebrae right beside her shoulder blade.

‘I-I…’ Nina stared at the leaflet man, all vestiges of lust gone. Now those leaflets only resembled her lost freedom.

‘Scream and I’ll do it,’ Shah whispered in her ear. ‘I don’t care, not anymore.’ With a tug of his arm, he pulled her away from the leaflets, from her documents, from safety.

‘What do you want from me?’ She tried very hard to keep her voice level. Still, it quivered.

Shah laughed, so low and gruff, images of what he could do to her flashed through her mind. In front of that torture, death seemed more agreeable. ‘Let me go,’ she muttered.

He cackled. ‘Whit’s fur ye’ll no’ go by ye.’

Just as he turned her away from freedom, the leaflet man pivoted, as if in search of someone. Probably in search of her. It was just a minute past 5.30 p.m. now.

His eyes met hers, and a bolt zinged through Nina. She forgot about the knife and the man pressed at her back. Those eyes… that face… she’d recognise it anywhere – that grief melded with determination, and those Adonis-like features.

How had she not recognised the man she’d been lusting over for days now? He’d been the hero in her dreams, the best lover she’d ever had, her knight in armour and all the silly, amorous fantasies you could have about a virile man.

Rob the policeman was here.

She hadn’t just walked into one trap but two. The only question that now remained was: was he in cahoots with Shah?

The answer came to her in muttered curses.

‘Shit!’ Shah muttered

‘Fuck!’ That from Rob.

In his panic, Shah tightened his grip on her waist, causing Nina’s feet to falter. Her wee yelp jolted both men out of their shock.

Shah twisted her so he clutched the knife at her throat. ‘Let us go!’

The leaflets fell out of Rob’s hands like red and green droplets of rain. It was probably a Christmas deal or two that he was offering.

He rushed towards them.

Shah wasn’t having any of it. He grabbed Nina tighter. ‘I will slice her open!’

Their shouts drew people’s gazes. Gasps of shock punctuated the air as more people noticed what Shah was brandishing at Nina’s throat.

And it wasn’t some table knife you used on a burger. No, Shah had a butcher’s knife with him. A weapon he’d brought along with the intention of using it… on her.

Nina struggled, self-preservation kicking in. But the more she moved, the more Shah’s grip held fast. Tight, tight, tight. If she didn’t die from the knife slitting her throat, she’d die from asphyxiation.

Rob paused, holding his arms up. ‘You’re surrounded by people. You’ll never manage to get away.’

Shah took a step back, and Nina went with him, powerless to fight. ‘Let us go and she’ll live.’

Nina believed that much. Shah would keep her alive for now. There was no way he’d find her a third time only to kill her quickly.

Ever since that airport, he’d wanted her… for something. She hadn’t had the brain space or time to figure out what.

She felt blood trickle down her throat.

Panic ratcheted up. She was going to die. Oh God!

Nina twisted again, wanting to cry and beg for safety. But she was almost paralysed. Still, she must’ve caused some nuisance because Shah slammed his knee between her thighs.

She lost her balance, but his grip on her was so tight, she just hung there, suspended in the air. She kicked out, trying to find the ground.

‘Stop it! Or I will bleed you,’ Shah said, nudging her away from Rob.

The crowd took a step back, yet their phones were out, recording everything that was happening.

Rob followed their progress. ‘Let her go and you’ll walk away.’

‘I’m not a fool!’

No, he was a man scorned two times before. What were the chances Shah had his rational brain screwed on straight?

If he’d been thinking, he wouldn’t have tried to grab her in such a public place; wouldn’t be letting things escalate like this.

Rob said something, but Nina tuned it out. She tuned everything out but her racing heart. Heartbeats were good; they meant she was alive and well. And she’d make sure she remained that way.

For years now, she’d been on her own. She’d moved to another country and fended for herself alone. Fighting off a bastard who wouldn’t take no for an answer should be a walk in the park.

First step, Nina ordered her heart to calm the fuck down. She needed a strategy, a strategy needed brains and brains needed peace.

Once again, she took herself through inhales and exhales until her heart calmed – or as calm as it could be when a blade rested against your throat.

She’d get one chance.

Shah wasn’t moving anymore, and her feet were on the ground. Her mind focused on the world again. Shah was busy hurtling curses at Rob while the police officer kept him engaged.

One chance, darling.

Nina raised her right knee and kicked back, aiming for Shah’s family jewels.