He sneers, shaking his head and narrowing those piercing eyes as he glares at me. “Well, little pixie, I never once said I was a good guy,” he mutters dangerously.
“Oh, you didn’t need totell mewhat kind of guy you are. I can work that out for myself, thank you very much.”
“You are so—”
His words cut off mid-sentence.
“I’m so what? Go on! Say it! Don’t hold back now, Anton!”
“Be quiet!” he snaps, grabbing my arm, his eyes darting around the room searching for something I can’t see.
“Don’t tell me to be—”
“I said quiet!” he snarls in a dark whisper. The intensity of his tone sets my heart racing as he pulls me right up against his body. Without a word, he drags me, moving quickly through the gallery until we are in a quiet alcove set apart from the rest of the main rooms. It’s clear that something is wrong.
“What is it?” I whisper as I try to hide the edge of fear in my voice.
“We’re being watched,” he replies, words hushed.
My heart leaps.Watched by whom? My brother? Josiah? Their security teams? Has someone come to find me and take me home?
I try to move away from Anton to peek around the corner of the alcove so I can take a look around, and he spins me quickly and pushes my back up against the wall, pinning me there. “Did you not just hear what I said?” he hisses. “You have the survival instincts of a blind rabbit! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Maybe I’m trying to get myself rescued!” I snap, talking louder now.
He hurriedly claps his hand over my mouth. “Not everyone who would be watching us is here to rescue you, Izabel. You’re smarter than that,” he whispers right against my ear.
Okay, fine, fair enough. But right now, I’m willing to go against the odds and take a chance.
Anton pulls me from the alcove, deciding the coast is clear enough for us to attempt an escape from the gallery. His hand is gripped tightly around my wrist, and whether I like it or not, he is dragging me along with him.
“Fuck,” he snarls, backing up and quickly changing direction. “They’re everywhere,” he says.
“Let me go, I can’t run with you making me trip up like this,” I complain, crashing into him when he comes to a sudden stop and pushes us both against another wall.
“No. Keep up,” he demands.
“I’m trying, but you’re going to make me fall flat on my face!”
“Fine!” he snarls, pushing me forward. “Run, I’m right behind you, and I have my eyes on you!”
Relieved, I bolt forward, darting through the open space until I reach the next doorway. I’m breathing heavily. My lungs are burning from the chase. Or the escape. It’s all pure adrenaline right now.
He pushes me again. “Move, quickly, before they come this way,” he says, encouraging me.
“There!” He points to an exit.
Out in the open I have more chance of getting away from him. It’s so cramped in these rooms.I run harder, moving faster until I burst through the doors.
And soon as I’m in the dank, smelly alleyway behind the gallery, I make my move, running as fast as my legs can possibly carry me.
I skid on the wet ground, grabbing at the corner edge as I turn down a second alley. I hear Anton shouting behind me, screaming my name in rage. But there is no time to even glance back over my shoulder. He sounds far enough away that I have a decent chance to reach my brother’s men. Or Josiah's. Either way.
Skidding around another corner, I slip and fall hard on my knees.
Pain shoots through both legs, so intense that I scream and buckle forward trying to catch my breath.
When I open my eyes, I realize I’m staring at a man’s black leather combat boots. My heart leaps with excitement as I look up.
