As she makes the call, I swear I’m having a panic attack, and she whispers, “Five minutes.”
“Thank you, Britney,”
I hug her hard and heap some of the clothes into her outstretched arms with a grateful smile.
“Will you be okay, Alice?”
Britney is so sweet to be concerned because we have known one another for ten minutes at most, but I used them wisely.
It wasn’t difficult to persuade her that I’m being held captive. Simeon made it easy for me by banishing the other customers and turning the key to the main door outside.
I take out some of the money Sister Agatha gave me and press it into her hand. “For the clothes and, well, your help. I’ll never forget it.”
Her anxious smile is my reply as I turn to the left and as she turns to the right, armed with several outfits, I hope her acting is up to Oscar levels. She will explain that I require different sizes and take her time in selecting them before heading back inside to find me gone.
I’m hoping that will give me enough time to be safe in the cab on my way to the Goldsworthy head office and I’m almost wishing I could see the expression on Simeon’s face when he realizes I am three steps ahead of him.
As Britney heads through the curtains, I veer off to the left and, as she said, the exit looms in front of me leading to the rear entrance of the shop.
I ease it open and peer outside, taking in the small alley where the cobbles lie at my feet. The noise of an engine purrs in the distance and with a deep breath, I take a step outside and almost jump out of my skin when a strong arm comes from nowhere and a deep voice says huskily, “The exit is through there ma’am.”
My heart drops when I notice the man dressed in black guarding the exit, another one on the other side, trying extremely hard to contain his smile.
“I need some fresh air.”
They say nothing and don’t move and as the cab pulls into the street I wonder if it’s worth fighting my way out of here.
One of the guards notices the cab and steps out into the road, his hand up. As the driver stops, he says something to him, causing the cab to reverse back the way it came.
My mouth dries and the guard preventing my escape says in a deep voice, “You should go back inside. It’s not safe for you out here.”
“Safe?”
He nods. “We are here to protect you, ma’am. Allow us to do our job.”
The other guard returns, and it’s obvious I’m going nowhere. With a frown, I head back inside, fighting the tears that are more of frustration than anything else.
As I make my way back to the cubicle, my heart sinks when I find Simeon sitting on the seat inside and his amused smirk does little to lighten my mood.
“What are you doing in here?” I snap, so pissed that he is controlling my life right now.
“Reminding you of your responsibilities.”
“I don’t have any that concern you.”
“Is that any way to speak to your husband?”
“You’re not my husband.”
I am increasingly frustrated, and he shakes his head, an aura of cold control settling around him like a demonic cloak.
“I will say this once, Alice, because I don’t believe I spelled it out properly the first time.”
He stands and my mouth dries as his ominous presence stifles what air is left inside the cubicle.
“Sit.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
