An hour later we’re all sitting at the table with our food, listening to the four officers reminisce about old cases and memories of their days as a rookie.Fascinatingstuff. Drew looks bored out of his mind, constantly checking his watch. This time when he checks it, I take note of the time.
7:45 p.m.
Shit.
I have to be down near the airport in a little over an hour. Given the time of night, the traffic, and the fact there’s a hockey game not far from here, I need to leavenow.But coming up with a plan to ditch Drew will not be easy. Especially since he’s been counting down the minutes to the socially acceptable amount of time we need to be here before we can leave and not appear rude. His attention to etiquette and social acceptability is strange, I’ll admit, but sometimes it can be helpful. Like when you want to leave a dinner you don’t want to be at, but don’t want the people you’re with to ask you questions or make excuses for you to stay—or worse—want to do it again.
I’m contemplating my escape when a gentleman in the far-right booth catches my attention. It’s him. The guy Enzo assigned to keep watch over me.
My night is looking up.
I grab my purse and push my chair back to stand up, touching Drew’s hand to gain his attention. “I’m going to the ladies room. I’ll be back.” He nods, then goes back to playing on his phone, completely giving up on listening to the conversation at the table.
I pass the man in a suit on my way and give a small smile. Upon entering the bathroom, I check that all the stalls are empty and then lock the main door. I toss my purse on the countertop, removing my gun, two small flat dagger knives and two stiletto hair pins. I gather my hair up off my neck, twisting it into a tight bun, using a hair tie to hold it in place and the two hair pins as accessories. Beautiful and functional.
Glad I chose to wear my short black dress and garters this evening. I slide the hem of my dress up and tuck each dagger into my garters. Hopefully, they won’t think to search me once I get there, but even if my daggers get confiscated, I’ll still be prepared.
I straighten my dress, check my makeup in the mirror, then shoot off a text to Drew telling him I’m not feeling well, and I’ll be a few minutes. Unlocking the door, I push it slightly open and find Enzo’s man is outside the bathroom in the hallway, pretending to be on his phone.
I sneak up behind him, my gun pointed at his back, and whisper, “You’ll need to do better than that if you wish to continue being my guard.”
He mutters a curse.
“Now, I assume your boss has you following me around to ensure my safety and not because he’s an overbearing,nosy bastard who thinks he deserves to know my every move throughout the day. Right?”
“Sure. If that’s what you want to believe.” The man says with a bit of amusement in his voice.
“Well, then tonight is your lucky night. You get to follow your boss’s orders while helping me sneak away from here in your vehicle,” I explain.
“Are you in danger, ma’am?” His voice turns stern as he stands tall, ready to defend me. It’s actually kind of sweet.
“Pfft. No. The only danger I’m in is of the punishment your boss will dole out when he finds out I’ve hijacked his guard and used him to my advantage.” I chuckle.
“That doesn’t sound good for either of us, ma’am,” he clips. “Enzo can be …”
“Ruthless? Yes, I know. But not to worry. I’ll tell him I took you as a hostage and take the brunt of the punishment on myself.” I mimic a shiver. “Mmm. The things that man can do with a cane.”
“I’m more concerned about what he does with his knife,” the man grumbles. Though he doesn’t seem truly afraid.
“Turn around and walk with me out the back door. I’ll explain further once we’re outside.” He does as I ask, and once we’re out in the parking lot, I follow him to his waiting SUV. “What’s your name?” I ask as he opens my door, ushering me in like a gentleman, not like a hostage being held at gunpoint.
He walks around the car, settling into the driver’s seat as he replies, “My name is Stavros, ma’am. Where would you like me to take you?”
I smile. “You know, you’re awfully calm for a man being held at gunpoint.”
“Where to, ma’am?” he asks, all businesslike now.
“The Landing Strip. You know the place?” I rattle off the address and watch as he enters it into his GPS. I take themoment to fish out my phone and power it off, then return it to my purse.
“With all due respect, Miss Drako,” Stavros says. “Your shooting me is the least of my worries. In fact, you might be doing me a favor if, when this is all over, you could in fact shoot me. Maybe not killing me but putting a bullet in my arm or leg at least, so Enzo will be slightly calmed by my attempt to put up a fight before he finishes the job. Perhaps then, he’ll show mercy and end my life swiftly.”
His phone rings through the speakers of the car. Stavros curses, and Enzo’s name flashes on the screen.
“I need to answer it, ma’am.”
“No, allow me,” I say, smiling as I tap the screen to answer the call. “Hello lover.”
“Althea? What are you doing with Stavros’s phone? Where’s Stavros?” Enzo’s voice sounds a bit on edge.
