“What about you?” Sammy demanded.
Lia ignored her and got to her feet, wandering back to the kitchen like she was just taking in the scenery.
She had to think of a diversion. Something that would bring everyone running.
When she saw the lighter on the counter, she knew just what to do.
Chapter Eighteen
Lia looked around for the most flammable part of the kitchen. There was a door, presumably out to the backyard, that was all splintered wood. Would it be dry enough to go up in flames if she got the lighter in the right spot? Probably not, but what about something more sustained than just the lighter?
She glanced back at the living room where Bruiser currently had one of the fighters in what seemed to be a good-natured headlock, while a couple people cheered.
Perfect. In quick, efficient moves, Lia grabbed a dirty old dishrag from the sink. It was crusty and dry. Would alcohol help it start on fire? She wasn’t sure, so she didn’t go that route. She just grabbed the lighter and moved to the door. She leaned against it, trying to look casual—the lighter and rag hidden behind the chair that was in front of her.
She looked out at the living room. The headlock was over, but Bruiser hadn’t made his way to her yet. He was messing with Sammy now.
Lia resisted the urge to run interference. Distraction first. Trying to look as casual as possible, she flicked the lighter on and tried to light the dirty rag. It took a while to catch fire, then immediately went out when she tried to drop it by the door.
She went through the process again, always keeping an eye on Bruiser. He was making the rounds, talking to people. He touched every single woman in the room in some familiar way—a hand down their hair, their arm, a squeeze on the knee, or even a few times very affectionate hugs.
Most of the women seemed to be using more than interested, but they were all outnumbered by the men who clearly looked at Bruiser as the leader.
The second time Lia managed to get the rag on fire, she carefully crouched and placed it next to the splintered door. She watched it try to catch on the door.
Please. Please. Please.
She glanced up and Bruiser was back with Sammy. Lia had to fight against the lick of scalding fury that erupted inside of her at his hand on the back of Sammy’s neck.
They were running out of time. She needed this fire tocatch. To do what it needed to do. Lia moved back over to the kitchen counter, grabbed a bottle of vodka. Then she carefully poured a few dribbles into the flames, causing them to shoot higher. She splashed a little more across the wood of the door, hoping it would accelerate the fire.
Once satisfied with that, she put the vodka back on the counter. She didn’t look back at the fire now. She moved closer to the living room for some plausible deniability.
She knew she shouldn’t watch Bruiser and Sammy intently, but she couldn’t help it. His mouth was at her ear, clearly saying something to her, but it was all getting a little too close.
When heaccidentally—as in, not at all accidentally—spilled his drink down Sammy’s shirtfront, causing Sammy to yelp in surprise, Lia couldn’t wait for the fire to catch any bigger.
She had to act.
“There’s a fire!” Lia shouted, stumbling out of the kitchen. She wished it would catch more, but this was enough of a distraction.
She hoped.
Someone screamed, while a couple of the guys rushed forward—including Bruiser. Lia carefully moved out of the way, but didn’t escape the kitchen. She wanted Sammy out first.
More people crowded around, but Lia craned her neck to see around them. Sammy was still sitting on the table, and their gazes caught.
Lia gave the girl a nod. Inwardly, she urged her to move. Go. While everyone was distracted. When Sammy just stood there, Lia mouthed the words.
Go. Now.
Finally Sammy stood, then took a step toward the door, then another. Her hands were still tied, so when she got to the door, she backed toward it, having to open it behind her back. But she pulled it open.
No one noticed. Everyone was shouting things to do about the fire. Everyone’s focus was on the kitchen.
Sammy gave Lia one last pleading look, there in the door opening, but Lia shook her head.Go.
Lia held her breath until Sammy disappeared into the dark. Then she let it out in a slow, careful exhale. Now she just needed to get herself out.
