Page 54 of Her Greek Protector

The warehouse…

“Can you pull your wrist out yet?” Aimee felt the warmth of blood as it trickled from her broken fingernails. She and Kassi had been picking at each other’s rope for the last few minutes, making only minimal progress in getting themselves free.

“I think so.” Kassi tugged her arms several times. “Damn, that hurts. I don’t think I have any skin left on my wrists.”

“I’m trying not to think about how bad my fingers hurt. I’d rather deal with the pain later and be alive to do so.” Aimee yanked on her own ropes. She gave a small shout of joy when they started to give. “Almost there.”

She yanked again, the rope digging further into her wrist. She bit back her cry of pain.Almost there. I have to get free and get Kassi and I out of here. I have to get back to Alexi. I have to tell him…

She gave another strong tug and suddenly the ropes around Aimee’s wrists fell away. “Got it.” She wriggled until she worked one arm free, her shoulder aching terribly from being contorted backwards for so long. She undid the rest of her ropes and then helped Kassi with hers.

“Now what?” Kassi looked around the room they were in. “There’s only the one door, and that really dark hallway back there.”

“Well, we know what’s on the other side of the door, so let’s try the hallway.” Aimee scanned the room, seeing nothing useful. “I wish we had some sort of weapon.”

“We’ll just have to be really careful,” Kassi whispered. The sound of voices on the other side of the door sent the two women scurrying to the hallway.

Aimee led the way, walking gingerly into the dark, cold space. “I wish I could turn my phone on but we can’t risk it.”

“I can’t believe that maniac didn’t take them,” Kassi whispered back.

They kept walking, waiting for the cry of alarm to go up when it was discovered they were missing. Aimee paused and listened. “Did he come back inside the building?”

“I don’t think so. I never heard the door open. It scrapes against the concrete.”

“Good observation. Think it’s worth the risk to turn my phone on and see where we’re going?”

“It has to be. I think something just scurried across my feet.” Kassi shuddered.

Aimee pulled her phone out, holding back a moan of pain when her injured fingers bumped against her legs. She pushed the button and then held the phone out in front of them, letting their eyes adjust to the light. “There’s a door up ahead.”

Kassi started toward it. “Let’s see if it will open.”

They reached the door and pulled, but while the door handle turned, the door itself seemed to be stuck. “It won’t open.” Aimee felt a sense of panic.

“Here, let me try.” Kassi took her place in front of the door. She pulled with all of her might, but the door only moved a fraction of an inch. Panting, Kassi turned to Aimee. “Now what?”

A shout of alarm came from behind them. Aimee swallowed. “Now we both pull and pray it gives. We’re out of time.”

They pulled back on the door, gaining an inch, and then several more before it finally swung open, flinging both of them to the ground.

Aimee was the first to regain her feet. She grabbed Kassi’s arm. “Let’s go.”

They ran through the doorway. Aimee gave a silent sigh of relief as light from the high windows filtered into the dusty space. Furniture, covered in dusty drop cloths, filled the space. As they moved towards the other side of the room, their footprints left an obvious trail in the dust.

Just as they reached the exit, Drossos’s voice stopped them cold. “Not another step or I will shoot you both in the back!”

Aimee closed her eyes, despair rushing through her.Alexi, I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you how much I loved being held in your arms.

Kassi’s low curse brought her eyes open and she shared a helpless look with the young woman.

“Turn around, slowly,” Drossos commanded. They did so. He waved them towards him with the gun. “Walk back here. Slowly.” As they approached, he sneered. “Congratulations on your escape attempt. I hadn’t thought you to be so resourceful. Alas, it was in vain.”

He ordered them back into the hallway. Soon they were back in their makeshift prison. “Sit down. I don’t have time to tie you up again, but if you give me any trouble, I will shoot you. It matters not to me.” He said it so coldly, Aimee knew he wasn’t joking. She turned to Kassi, but Drossos saw her movement. “And no talking. I should have gagged you both.”

A knock sounded on the metal door. Two of the goons from earlier stepped inside with Alexi between them.

Aimee barely contained her gasp. Kassi reached for her hand, the pain from the contact making her eyes water.