Page 124 of Deception

His nostrils flared as he stared at her. “You are really annoying, you know that? Your persistence is going to get you hurt one day.” He paused. “Let me correct that. Today. Your persistence is going to get you hurttoday.”

He straightened his arm as he pointed the gun at her, his limbs trembling.

He usually had people do his dirty work for him, didn’t he? He wasn’t used to being the one taking the shots.

“You just need to give it up,” Olive said.

“I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am to give this up!”

The gun trembled even more.

He was trying to work up the nerve to pull the trigger, Olive realized.

With enough time, he just might be successful.

“Now enough talking!” he yelled.

Olive braced herself. She couldn’t reach him in time. Couldn’t get the ropes from her wrists.

Just then, Mitzi lunged out of her seat, the ropes falling behind her. She tackled Ellis.

His gun clattered to the floor.

Olive tugged harder at her bonds, trying to get away. But the rope was too tight.

Instead, she watched as she continued to work.

Ellis was surprisingly strong and fast.

He flipped Mitzi over, trapping her on her back and pinning her arms down.

As he glared at her, he called out some choice names.

Mitzi wasn’t as strong as she normally was right now. Not after being tied up down here all night.

Olive had to think of a way to help!

She tugged harder, determined to get these ropes off from around her wrists, even if it meant breaking her own thumb.

Ellis grabbed his gun and held the barrel to the center of Mitzi’s forehead. “That was a mistake.”

As Olive realized what he was about to do, she yelled, “No!”

CHAPTER 66

Olive stood, wooden chair still attached to her and making her hunch over.

There was only one way she could get out of this.

She slammed the chair on the floor, breaking its legs and loosening the spindles on the back. Pain traveled up her back and the side of her leg, but she ignored it.

One of her ankles slid out.

But she needed more time to free the rest of her limbs.

She glanced at her colleague.

Mitzi thrashed, trying to fight Ellis. She had no luck. The man was stronger than Olive had thought.