Page 10 of Knight Watch

“Apart from smashing Raymond Rutherford’s lying pussy face into the concrete? No, not yet, but give me a second.” Kingsley racked his brain for the best play. They had no idea what Rutherford was playing at involving them, but he would find out. Rutherford had taken them for fools, and he took that personally. “Just follow them for now and see where they go.”

Kingsley pulled out his phone and had Caitlin put the team on alert and notify Shane and Emme that they probably weren’t getting paid for this job.

Malco stopped the car as the Lincoln pulled up outside West City Bank. He watched as Raymond stepped out, followed by Troy and Sydney. He was being cautious now and trying to look solicitous toward her instead of the aggression they had seen earlier.

Sydney looked around, trying to make it seem like she was taking it all in, but he knew she was looking for a way out.

“I need you to go in the front and keep an eye on them. I don’t want Rutherford to know we’re on to him, and he’s seen me. I’m going to see if I can get in through the staff entrance.” Kingsley pulled on a baseball cap to offer him some cover.

“Roger that.”

Malco and Kingsley slipped microscopic comms in their ears, exiting the car and walking across the road before splitting up. He watched Malco go inside the bank as he moved down the alleyway at the side trying to find a way inside.

* * *

As she walkedinto the bank, Sydney discreetly looked around. Troy led her toward the smiling woman at the information desk. The woman seemed to be in her mid-forties with blond hair and a curvy figure on her five-foot frame.

“Hello, how may I help you?” The woman’s name badge read Anne, and she smiled at them in greeting. Sydney felt Raymond put his hand on her lower back in warning as he smiled what she knew some women saw as a devastatingly handsome smile.

“Good morning, Anne,” he greeted smoothly making the woman blush. “My niece has a safety deposit box here and would like to access it.”

Anne smiled. “Of course, please come this way, and we can get that arranged.” She turned and led them toward a bank of double doors that gave way to a larger reception area with more desks.

After seating them and asking if they wanted coffee, Anne began to take Sydney’s details, her fingers skimming the keyboard.

Anne looked up at them, her face open and friendly. “Can I get your name again?”

It took a second for Sydney to realize that she was speaking to her. “Sydney—Sydney Rutherford,” she replied as she continued to look around and then she saw it. An idea formed. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all she had. “I’m sorry is there a restroom I can use?”

“Really, Sydney, surely that can wait?” Raymond squeezed her knee painfully below the table, while on the surface, he seemed patient.

Anne looked back and forth, clearly sensing the tension, her skin mottling on her chest.

“I’m sorry, uncle, but no. It’s that time of the month, you know.” Sydney turned her eyes to Anne in a conspiratorial way.

A look of female understanding crossed the woman’s face, and she nodded. “Of course. Through that door and to the right, you should see the signs. I’ll get your information ready while you’re gone.”

“Thank you,” Sydney said, standing quickly and moving toward the door, Troy on her heels. She stopped and turned to him and in a loud voice, said, “I’m only going to the ladies, you don’t have to follow me.”

As people looked at them, Troy stopped, and she saw his lips curl and his hands clench. She didn’t take the time to enjoy her small victory. She had to get out of there and fast. They wouldn’t wait for long.

Following the signs, she pushed through the door marked ‘Ladies’ and almost cried in relief at the sight of a window, but then felt tears prick her eyes when she saw the locks. Of course, there were locks. It was a goddamn bank.

Peeking out, she looked around for a way out and saw the staff exit. If she used it without swiping an ID card, the alarms would go off, and they would be on to her, but what other option did she have? Sydney sighed and then thrust back her shoulders, knowing she had to run. Walking to the exit, she was about to push it open when it opened from the outside, and alarms began to screech.

She gasped and stepped back as a tall—he had to be at least 6’5”—well-built hunk of a man with a ball cap on his beautiful head looked at her, his hands on his hips. His eyes were a deep chocolate brown and held surprise at seeing her. “Sydney Rutherford?”

Sydney felt panic wrap itself around her windpipe as she stepped away from him, frustrated tears hitting the back of her throat at being caught. This guy must be new because if he had been part of Raymond’s security before she would have remembered.

Not willing to give up, she braced to run when his arm came around her waist and he pulled her outside, his hand covering her mouth. She felt his hard body at her back, his firm grip around her waist and his gentle but solid grip over her mouth and went still. His mouth at her ear tickled, and for a brief second, she froze, but not in fear as she would have expected. She froze in awareness of the sexy, bearded man who held her before her survival instinct kicked in and she started to struggle against his hold, panic gripping her.

She heard him swear before he whispered in her ear. “For fuck’s sake, woman, keep still and listen. My name is Kingsley Knight, but my friends call me King. I’m here to help you. We believe your uncle is behind your kidnapping and has been holding you against your will.”

She went still at his as his words filtered through her brain. Was he here to help?

“I don’t have time to explain. Raymond’s head of security just left the building and my man can only cause so much of a distraction before we blow our cover. I’m going to remove my hand. You need to keep quiet and follow me unless you want to get caught. Are we clear? Nod if you understand.”

Sydney nodded.

The man removed his hand from her mouth but kept hold of her wrist. “Follow me.”

He pulled her to the edge of the alleyway. Shielding her body with his own, he looked out. She managed to look under his armpit and saw Troy in an altercation with a dark-haired man covered in tattoos who seemed seriously pissed off. Troy had his back to her, and she felt the man in front of her grip her hand tightly, warmth enveloping her at his touch.

“Let’s go,” he said, and it was only then she grasped his British accent and her heart beat harder at the realization someone was on her side for once. It felt strange to have a stranger put his life on the line for her. Warmth flooded her belly, and she tightened her hold on his hand. Opening the door to an SUV, he boosted her in and moved to the driver’s seat before speeding away without a backward glance.