"Leaving so soon, beautiful?" The bouncer leers, tightening his grip. It's the one who was so proud of his ridiculous password. Behind him, I spot two of Tane's men scanning the crowd, clearly looking for me.
"I got what I came for," I reply cryptically. His eyes gleam with interest.
"Pity. I was hoping we could get better acquainted. Seeing you appreciated my sense of humor and all."
I force a laugh. "Another time, perhaps." Before he can respond, I slip out the door into the cool night air, letting out a shaky breath. I did it. Now to get this intel back to Aidan and the others. We're one step closer to taking Tane down.
The damp air kisses my skin as I hurry down the street, the chill of the night a relief after the suffocating atmosphere of the club. I hurry down the sidewalk, my heels clicking on the pavement, not stopping until I'm blocks away. Only then do I release the breath I'd been holding. Made it.
But those twisted images still claw at me, threatening to drag me back down into the dark. I have to get this intel to the team. We have to make this right, get the victim's remains back to their families, even if their body parts are now inside pool balls or used to construct pieces of furniture. But that will have to wait.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot a sleek black car idling across the street. The windows are tinted but I can feel eyes on me. Have I been made? My pulse quickens.
Casually, I hail a taxi and give the driver an address a few blocks from our safehouse. "Step on it," I urge. Once we pull away, I risk another look back. The black car is following.
Damn it. I was careless. I sink lower in my seat, mind racing. How did they figure me out so quickly? What do I do now? Lead them right to the others?
"Change of plans," I tell the driver. "Lose the car behind us first. I feel like we're being followed."
He nods and hits the gas, weaving expertly through traffic. But the black car stays right on us. I rack my brain, trying to come up with an alternate plan. "Jeez, I thought you were some paranoid drunk bitch. But you're right, this car does not want to let us out of its sight."
Up ahead, Ispot a busy shopping plaza. "Pull in there," I direct the driver. He shrugs and follows my instructions. As soon as we stop, I toss cash over the seat and bolt from the cab, disappearing into the crowds. The black car won't be able to follow me on foot.
I need to lay low and make my way back carefully. Lives are depending on the intel I gathered tonight. Failure is not an option.
I weave through the plaza, merging with groups of late night shoppers to stay hidden. Thank god for capitalism making people feel obligated to rush around late at night in the leadup to the holidays, making people feel obligated to spend money they don't have on things they don't need.
I almost twist my ankle at one point, but I don't dare stop. At a fountain, I slip off my shoes and stash them behind a planter. I'll attract less attention in bare feet. Heels are essential sometimes, and often pretty, but they sure do make me less efficient.
Checking over my shoulder, I don't see any signs of pursuit. But I can't let my guard down yet. I head towards the rear of the plaza, scanning for an exit that won't leave me exposed.
There—a service corridor used for deliveries. I glance around before slipping inside, finding myself in a dim passage lined with doors leading to the shops' backrooms. The smell of garbage hangs heavy, a contrast with my elegant attire.
I move swiftly but silently, listening for any sounds of footsteps other than my own. At last, I reach a metal door leading outside to an alley. Freedom.
As soon as I step out, rough hands grab me from behind. One clamps over my mouth before I can scream, the other locks around my waist. I'm dragged backwards, my heels digging into trash-strewn pavement.
A raspy voice hisses in my ear. "Thought you could run, little lady?" My blood turns to ice. It's one of Tane's men. One from the club basement. How did he find me so fast?
My mind blanks with panic. I thrash with all my strength, but his grip only tightens. He starts to drag me towards a waiting car, my worst fears realized. Once I'm in there, I'm as good as dead.
Angel andDevon's recounting of their kidnapping experiences run through my mind. The way they were treated, and the way they almost lost their lives so many times. I can't let that happen to me. To any of us, ever again.
Adrenaline surges through me. It's now or never. I stop resisting and go limp, catching him off guard. The second his grasp loosens, I make my move...
I drop all my weight while simultaneously driving my elbow back into his gut. He doubles over with a choked grunt, and I slip from his grasp. Without looking back, I bolt down the alley, barefoot, ignoring the pain of gravel under my feet.
I can hear him recovering and giving chase. My lungs are on fire but I push harder. Just a little farther to the next street, where I can hopefully lose him or find help.
Suddenly, headlights flash at the end of the alley, blinding me. A sleek black car peels around the corner, engine revving. It's barreling straight for me, ready to cut off my escape.
I'm trapped. Nowhere to run or hide in this narrow passage. The car is almost on me when my survival instincts kick in. At the last second, I hurl myself sideways, hitting the ground and rolling hard beneath a metal staircase. The car screeches past, unable to stop in time.
I lay stunned for a second, scraped and bruised but alive. My pursuer's footsteps close in. This is it. I'm out of options. I squeeze my eyes shut and brace for the end.
Suddenly, a new set of footsteps join the first. There's a scuffle, a pained yell, then silence. I crack open one eye. A familiar figure looms over me, a large and tattooed hand extended.
"Need some help, princess?"