Page 26 of Red Retaliation

ICREEP ALONG THE CORRIDOR, my heart beating so loudly I’m convinced it will bring people running.

I glance ahead. It’s a different corridor from the one I was dragged along earlier. This one has marble flooring and gold wall sconces holding pairs of candle-shaped bulbs. I haven’t a clue where I am, but I’m guessing this is where more offices are located.

My pulse ramps up a notch, sure Red’s office is down here, but I’ve seen no one. The whole place is deserted.

But do I want to bump into him?

The answer is most definitely no, but I’ll have to at some point. I definitely don’t want to bump into either of the brothers, but after hearing that shouting...

I shiver with apprehension, hoping the raised voices and shouts weren’t anything to do with me.

I know Red wasn’t happy about what went on in that cellar, but I don’t want to be the cause of more unrest. I’ve already caused enough. Neither do I want him to see me as a pathetic, weak creature who falls apart.

No one will have that power over me again.

I glance behind, sure I can hear something.

God, I shouldn’t be here. When Red left my room, he didn’t lock it, and my curiosity about the yelling and shouting got the better of me. I can’t help wanting to know what’s going on. I also now know it’s pointless being here. Red won’t guarantee my family’s safety, so if I can get away from this hellhole, I will.

My breath catches in my throat as I round the corner of the corridor.Is... is that door open?

Keeping close to the wall, I move towards the chink of light at the end of the corridor.

The fire escape is open! Only slightly, but enough to see a thin strip of illumination from the back of the building. It’s dark outside, and I can see the fluorescent glow of a floodlight.

I can make a run for it. I can leave!

I inch towards the door, my heart banging with an intensity that scares me. Surely someone is on watch? This door wouldn’t be open unless...

My throat constricts. Is someone in here? A Bristoni?

Then I hear a muffled shout - the same voice as before.

I expel the breath trapped in my lungs. It’s okay. Whoever was causing problems has been removed from the building. But the ajar door also means whoever made them leave, will return...

Instinctively, I flatten myself against the wall but remain incapable of stopping my feet from moving in the direction of the opening offering me the chance of freedom.

Sliding along the wall, I reach the door, my fingers fumbling to grasp the edge. I press myself against the gap. I can still hear protesting, yelling and a gruff muttering. It’s nearby, but I can’t see enough through the tiny gap to see who or where it’s coming from. All I know is that the coast isn’t clear to make a run for it.

If I can see where these people are, I’ll be in a better position to gauge my options.

I gingerly push the heavy fire door and grit my teeth as the creaking amplifies around the empty corridor.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

Shit!I jolt backwards, shoving the door open as Red strides down the corridor towards me, his face thunderous.

“Stop! Where do you think you’re going?”

Like a trapped animal, I glance behind me through the fire exit, seeing Liam Bateman being dragged towards the back of a white Transit.

“ARIANNA!”

My head jerks back around to find Red almost upon me. If I’m making a dash for it, it has to be now. But I’ll never succeed. The man dragging Liam to the van is out there as well as the other brother, and they’ll stop me. But if I don’t attempt it, I’ll be stuck here with a man who isn’t helping me, yet I’m losing control over.

Oh Christ, what do I do?

Making my decision, I burst through the fire escape, the cold air knocking the wind out of me. Panic threatens to choke me, but then my thoughts and all concept of making a run for freedom from myself and my captor freeze as a van screeches into the loading bay.