I lunged for it, but a weight crashed down on me, Quinn’s breath puffing against my nape as my chest hit the ground. Struggling to breathe as my panic surged, I grappled for the knife on the wet, cold ground and then smashed my elbow back into his face. He jerked back just long enough for me to turn and slash out at him, but he dodged the blade and then grabbed my wrist.
We wrestled for the knife as his weight forced me onto my back. I knew if he got the weapon, it was over.
I screeched in pain and rage as he squeezed the bones in my wrist until I thought they might break. My fingers involuntarily let go of the knife and he grabbed it.
No!
I couldn’t see his expression in this light, but I could sense his dark triumph. Tears of fury and fear sprung to my eyes. It couldn’t end like this. Not just for me but for Theo.
If it ended like this, it would end him.
I screamed with renewed determination as I snagged at his wrist, trying to fight for the blade.
Thirty-Six
THEO
My phone rang just as the cab pulled up to the Lute. I answered it as I shoved twice as much cash at the cabbie than was required.
“Someone spotted Quinn Gray in Covent Garden two hours ago. We’re on our way to that bar,” Rick announced without preamble.
Fuck.
“I’m already here.”
“If you see him, do not engage.”
“If he’s anywhere near Sarah, you’ll be lucky if you don’t take him out of here in a body bag.” I hung up, charging into the crowded bar, searching for a familiar dark blond head.
I spotted Liz by herself at a bistro table near the back.
“Fucking move,” I muttered belligerently under my breath as I tried to get through the crowds.
“Hey, watch it!”
“Rude, bro, rude!”
I ignored them until I’d woven my way out of the crush and around the tables.
Liz spotted me, her dark eyes widening as I approached. I didn’t like to think how I looked, but whatever my expression was, she stood up. “Theo, is everything all right?”
“Where is Sarah?” I practically yelled.
She blinked in surprise. “She went to the restroom about five minutes ago. I was just about to go in search of her, actually.”
“Oh, fuck.” Nausea rose with my fear as I pushed past Liz and shoved like a bulldozer through the crowds around the bar. As soon as I was free, I ran down the hallway. The ladies’ restroom was out of order. I pushed inside, kicking at the door stalls.
Nothing.
I checked in the men’s, but there were just two guys pissing.
Heart racing, I zeroed in on the door at the end of the hallway.
I ran, realizing on approach it was the exit door to the alley. Then I swore I heard a scream.
“Sarah!” I shoved outside.
Light spilled across the alley only so far and on the edges of the shadows, I saw two figures. A man astride a woman, his arms raised above her as she wriggled and fought beneath him.
