I rush after him but stop at the door, and when he turns because I’m not following him out, I wave. “Bye, Connor. It was nice meeting you, but I’m staying.”
Maybe they were planning to take me into a field and execute me. I don’t know why they’d bother rescuing me from the police station and coming here to pack if that’s the case, but stranger things have happened. Besides, if Connor is the brains of the operation, then I have no way of predicting him. He is unhinged.
Connor stills, a small smile playing on his lips. “Baby, are you sure you want to play with me?”
Chapter 16
No playing
Dina
When I don’t answer, Connor chuckles and looks at me like he wants to murder me. My heart dances, fear over the way his chuckle and his smirk evokes an image of Massio Crossbow into my head making me sweat.
One time, I watched an interview with Massio, and the interviewer, a woman, pushed back against something he said. I remember his masculine chuckle and the deranged look he gave her.
Wait a second, didn’t Massio have sons? Twins? I can’t remember where I read that he had twins with that woman he murdered.
Oh no. Oh no.
Connor comes toward me, and I walk backward all the way to the glass door of my terrace.
“Baby girl, are you scared?” he asks when he reaches me.
“Yes.”
“Good. Fear of a real threat is healthy. Makes us think better on our feet. You know you have to come with me now. Ishouldn’t have to work this hard to get you downstairs. I don’t like hard work. I like easy work.”
“You never told me your last name.”
Connor’s eyes soften. “Awww. You almost make me feel like I’m kicking a puppy.” With that, the man opens my terrace door. He steps out and looks around. “It’s nice out here.” He walks to the edge and gazes down. “Nice view.” He picks up my suitcase and throws it over the railing.
I gasp and cover my mouth. Oh my God.
Connor comes back in and closes the terrace door. “I can’t carry both you and the suitcase. I figured Declan would be sad if I threw you over the railing, so I chose the suitcase. Do you think I made the right choice?”
I nod vehemently.
“So you will come with me?” When I take too long to answer because I think his last name might be Crossbow, and that terrifies me, he says, “I can also drag you down the steps. Up to you how you want to get downstairs.” He checks his watch. “We’ve been up here longer than I planned. If my brother gets hurt because you can’t make up your mind…” He simply shakes his head, disapproving of my utter shock and fear.
“Let’s go!” he shouts.
I startle out of my stupor and run out and down the steps. Once on the street, I grab my suitcase and throw it into the trunk. Just as I’m about to slide into the back seat, I hear someone calling my name.
My friend Martin pushes his way past the armed men, his arms outstretched. He’s not in uniform, only jeans and a green T-shirt, which is probably why the men holding up the barricade think he’s a civilian. But Declan knows. He’s seen him before.
“Dina, what happened? I was at the station, and they told me they released you. I came as soon as I could.”
Released me?They didn’t release me, Martin. A lunatic broke me out of detention.
“They said they released me?”
“Yeah. Said you went home with a man. I thought it was your lawyer.” Martin eyes the SUV he saw me throw my suitcase into.
“No, no, not a lawyer. It’s this guy I’m seeing.” Connor walks past us without even a glance at Martin, and I hope he stays out of it. Which he does. He sits in the car and slams the door.
“I’ve to go. See you around.” But will I?
Martin hugs me. It’s unexpected, and awkwardly, I hug him back.
