Page 5 of Shades of Mercy

Once she didn’t come out, they’d find a way to get inside.

How would they get inside? The club was crawling with Cross’s pet thugs.

All she could do was play dumb…and lie through her teeth.

“I can explain,” she said.

“Don’t waste your breath,” Cross said evenly.

“Keep the camera and I’ll walk away.” When in doubt, offer a trade.

A knock came on the door, and another bodyguard poked his head in. Something told her he wouldn’t save her any more than anyone else at the club.

“What is it, James? I’m a little busy here.” Cross sighed.

The group is looking for you.” James didn’t even seem to notice the perilous situation she was in.

“Tell them I’ll be there momentarily,” Cross said.

“What do you want me to do with her?” the first bodyguard asked.

“Lock her up where she can’t cause any problems. I’ll take care of her when I’m done.”

She was taken to a small, bare room with one window, located near the ceiling, protected with metal bars. The door closed behind her, and the lock slammed home.

She was truly in trouble now.

If Mateo knew what she’d done, the mess she was in, he’d go nuclear.

Now she regretted not sharing her plan with him.

Dragging in a deep breath, she paced the floor. What would Cross do with her?

She needed to keep her mind clear and devise a plan.

Escaping was the only way she would survive this alive.

She stopped and listened. She could hear cars outside the window and laughter from people as they passed.What if I shimmy up the wall and pound on the window?

That’d be nearly impossible unless she had webbed fingers.

She started pacing again.

Then she saw the air vent. It could be her only chance to escape.

Her hopes were crushed when she saw that the cover was attached with screws.

However, her shoes could serve as a means of defense.

Or screwdrivers.

Removing one shoe, she used the pointed heel, and smiled when the screw started to loosen. The process was slow and tedious, but she finally managed to unscrew one bolt and then the second. She almost cried out in relief, but caught herself from celebrating because she wasn’t free yet.

Carefully lowering the cover, she peeked inside the air duct, removing cobwebs. The space was narrow, but she thought she could fit inside. Taking off her other heel, she left it behind as she squeezed into the tight opening, feeling slightlyclaustrophobic. She’d always had a fear of tight spaces, but her bigger fear was death, which spurred her to keep moving through the passageway.

The bodyguard would be returning eventually, so she picked up her pace, which wasn’t an easy task by any stretch of the imagination.

By the time she’d reached another vent, she’d worked up a sweat. She peeked through the slats and discovered she’d made it to Cross’s empty office. She pushed on the cover, but it wouldn’t budge. She hadn’t thought that through very well.