I shoot him a wide-eyed stare, a silent plea to him not to do anything stupid. He jerks his chin toward the door Ledger has just come through. It’s still standing open a crack, with Ledger having forgotten to shut it behind him upon entering. He’d been distracted by what he’d seen.
The men aren’t paying us any attention. They’re all too focused on Ledger, and Ledger is fixated on Ginger and the others, and what they did to us in his absence.
Rook whispers again. “We have no choice. This is turning ugly.”
It’s already turned ugly, but I understand what he’s saying. We’d been buying time, except that time is rapidly running out. In my head, I see an old-fashioned hourglass, the sand running through the tiny gap into the vial below, except the sand in the top is almost gone.
I’m still shaking all over. “I’m scared.”
He squeezes my hand. “Me, too. But this might be our only chance.”
I don’t want to be frightened. I want to be strong and brave and take these men down myself, but I know that’s impossible. They’ve reduced me to a near naked, shivering, cum-covered mess on the floor. I’m nothing. And when Ledger gets his way, I’ll be moved to Mexico, and forced to be his wife, and I’ll never see anyone I love ever again.
The truth is, I’m more worried about them shooting Rook than I am myself. Rook could still have a future if he gets away from here. I won’t be in it, but better that he lives than dies here trying to protect me. If I die, all I’ll escape is a life of torment at Ledger’s hands. Perhaps it would be better that way?
“You should go,” I hiss at him, nudging his shoulder with mine. “Run while you can.”
His face pinches, his eyes darkening with determination. “Not without you.”
“You’ll die if you stay.”
“Then I’ll die.”
My eyes fill with fresh tears. I don’t want him to sacrifice his life for me, but that’s exactly what he may end up doing. If we stay or if we try to run, the result will still be the same.
The fighting between Ledger and Ginger has ramped up a notch. A couple of the other men have joined in, and one of them has also produced a weapon, though he seems unsure who he should be pointing it at. Rook is right. They’re distracted, and if Ledger takes his eye off them for a minute, he’s the one who could end up dead.
I give a tiny nod and shift my position. “Okay, let’s do it.”
Rook’s eyes light up. “Yes?” he double checks.
“Yes.” I squeeze his hand in return.
We can’t wait. If we’re going to do this, we need to do it fast. Ledger and the other men are shouting now, and it’s not going to be long until things go even further south.
We both move carefully, so we’re crouching instead of sitting down. I’m grateful I have a shirt to cover me, but poor Rook is completely exposed. Not that a shirt will protect against a bullet.
“You’ll fucking regret that!” Ledger yells at one of the men.
Just as we rise to our feet to run for the door, three gunshots crack loudly through the air. Instinctively, I flinch and somehow manage to hold back a scream. Who were the bullets for? Were they aimed at us?
My eyes widen as I take in the sight in front of me, my heart racing so fast I feel lightheaded. Ginger has crumpled to the floor, and one of the other men who I haven’t named—the other one who’d had the gun—is clutching his shoulder and staggering backward.
“Go!”
Rook pushes at my back. I realize I’ve stopped, hindering his escape as I came to a standstill in horror at the scene unfolding.
“Don’t fucking move!”
The shout is aimed in our direction, and we both freeze. I don’t even dare to look, keeping my eyes focused on the ground.
I let out a sob. We’ve only made it halfway to the door. Halfway to freedom. It’s not enough.
“Don’t think I’d forgotten about the two of you,” Ledger says. “Sit the fuck back down.”
When I do and glance up, his face is full of hatred and bitter, sneering disgust.
I’m sorry,Rook mouths at me.
