“Waters,” Victor bellowed again. “You have no beef with her. Let her go.”
Finally, some concern for her.
Victor turned to speak to the two men with him but Jack barked out, “Stop. Make them come in, close the door and lock it. If either of them moves more than they should, she’s dead.”
She let out another heart-wrenching sob. No need to pretend as she was petrified. Victor nodded at them and they did as Jack asked.
“Now have them sit on the sofa. And remember, one false move and this knife slices through her very beautiful throat.”
The men moved to the couch across the room and sat. At least now they were farther away. But Victor had moved closer, rage building like a storm in every movement.
“What do you want? To kill me, like you did my son? You won’t get away with it this time. This whole place is crawling with my security guards.”
“Your security guards are idiots or I wouldn’t be here,” he scoffed. He pulled her in tighter, keeping her firmly in front of him. Did these men have guns? Could they shoot Jack while he was standing right here, holding her? How would she live with herself if she allowed that to happen?
“He pulled me in from the hallway. Wanted me to tell him the combination to the safe,” she blurted out then gave a squeal as Jack pressed the knife closer to her neck. It still wasn’t digging in though. Faking a tiny whimper, she continued. “I told him you didn’t have one in here. He didn’t believe me. He wants information for one of your competitors.”
Jack pinched her waist and she cried out again. Something liquid dripped down her neck. Blood?
“Shut up, you stupid bitch. I should kill you simply for hanging around this slime ball. Now, Cabrini, if you don’t want my knife to carve up any more of this lovely lady, you’ll back off and go sit with your friends on the couch.”
Victor stood where he was, his face grim, his jaw tight. Would he do it? Would he push Jack, forcing him to try another way out?
Sobbing harder, she stared at the mobster. “Please, Victor. Please.” It wasn’t hard to force the tears. The thought of what would happen to Jack if he couldn’t get away sliced through her, sharp as the knife at her throat.
Her tears must have worked because Victor took a few cautious steps toward the couch. Jack backed toward the hidden door. Did Victor know where he was going? The door didn’t look open.
“You won’t get away with this, Waters. You won’t make it past the front door.”
“Sit,” Jack ordered. Victor did and he pulled open the secret door, pulling her along with him. Once through, he jammed a long piece of wood against it, grabbed her hand and ran.
“Just go,” she muttered as they ran along the underground tunnel. “I’ll be fine. You need to get away.”
She stumbled on the long fabric of her dress but Jack caught her. Putting his arm around her waist, he continued running. She grabbed the hem and lifted. Good thing she hadn’t worn higher heels.
Light appeared near a door and he slowed down. “I won’t bring you any farther unless there are guards outside. Hopefully Cabrini hasn’t had time to alert them and get them here yet.”
Opening the door, he glanced outside. Then he swept her against him, kissing her long and hard. Reaching up, he wiped his hand along her neck. Blood.
“Where did that come from? I didn’t even feel you cut me.”
“I didn’t. I cut my own finger. Wanted Cabrini to think I was serious. I could never cut this beautiful neck.”
She stroked her hand down his cheek. “Be careful, Jack. Please.”
Nodding, he released her. She hated to see him go but he couldn’t stay.
“Wait, you called me a bitch.” Her lips twitched.
He kissed her again, quicker this time. “But you’remybitch.”
Sounds behind them echoed through the tunnels and Jack zipped through the door. Walking a few yards down the tunnel she collapsed on the ground, crying.
“Callina, where did he go?” Victor’s first concern was Jack? She hated this man.
She sobbed harder, hoping Jack had gotten away. Raising a shaky hand, she pointed in a vague direction. Victor motioned for someone to pick her up and carry her back to the house, then slipped through the door and disappeared.
Back in the office, she told the guard to put her on the couch where she curled up in a ball, tears still coursing down her cheeks.Too close.They’d almost caught Jack. Could still catch him if he wasn’t fast enough. What had he been thinking coming here?
