BunnytheKiller
A hippo?
Blake
Even more surprising than that, but more practical.
BunnytheKiller
Well, you’re lucky I don’t have plans today.
Blake
You do now.
I half expect Blake to joke about me having time to come and try to assassinate him, and I tell myself I’m not bothered as I get dressed in jeans and a cute top. It’s just fun talking to Blake. He might be the most exciting thing to have ever happened to me, and the person I like most in the world, but I have responsibilities to my brother.
And if Blake has given up on seeing me in person, all the better. My tummy hasn’t sunk about that thought. Not at all.
“Nina.” My brother looks harassed as I enter the kitchen. “Something has come up at work. I need to go out.”
“Oh, that’s not fair on a Saturday.” I hope my relief doesn’t show on my face. I was going to have to make up some nonsense about needing to shop for clothes in order to pick up the present from Blake, and now I don’t have to.
“Mmm.” His brow creases and he gives me a quick hug. “It’s alright. You’ll be okay?” He looks me in the eyes.
“I’ll be fine!” Better than fine, in fact.
When the door has closed behind Aaron, I wait a few minutes. Don’t want to get caught being suspicious.
And I’m gleeful as I open the front door to the apartment and step out into the corridor… Until, out of the corner of my eye, I see men.
A lot of them, in black suits and a couple of younger ones in black T-shirts. My brain’s slow to take in the meaning, and I screech with fear and try to get back into the apartment and slam the door closed.
Too late.
The tallest man at the front wedges his foot into the gap between the door and the frame. I push desperately, but it doesn’t close.
A scream rises in my throat.
Blakeis here.
15
BLAKE
“Miss Brookes,” I say, completely ignoring that she keeps shoving the wood against my foot.
“No,” she squawks.
“Liar.” I push her aside easily.
“There’s some mistake!” She backs away, and I follow her into the apartment. “I have a gun!”
“I know, I gave it to you,” I say dryly.
She dashes and grabs her phone, and with shaking hands tries to unlock it.
“I don’t recommend that.”
