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“The king,” Dev says. “He replied to our demands.”
“Read it,” Blix orders.
I turn my head to where Ava’s sitting, and I know she’s on the edge of her cot. Anticipation and anxiety are so thick in the air I can taste them.
Dev is quiet, reading to himself at first then he swears loudly. “Motherfucker!”
“Give it to me.” Blix takes charge, but his voice is on edge.
I swallow the knot in my throat. Whatever that message says is bad news for me. I wish with all my strength I was beside Ava so she could tell me what they’re doing. Instead, I hear her speak, and fear paralyzes me.
“May I see the message?” Her voice is different now. It’s innocent and strangely seductive. “Ooo, I never noticed your muscles. Do you work out? I bet you’re ripped under this shirt.”
Oh, god, Ava, now is not the time to tweak his nose. My brain is hot with fear.
“What the fuck!” Blix shouts. “Get your hands off me. Go back to your cot.”
She sniffs as if he’s offended her, and she walks away from the group toward the cot, taking a detour in front of me on the floor.
“Dear Sir,” Blix reads loudly, derision in his tone.
He is not paying attention to Ava, which I realize is a great thing when I feel a hard object drop into my lap. Faster than anyone can see, I move my hand on top of it. She continues walking in the direction of that cot, and the men are none the wiser.
“He fucking called me Sir.”
“That can’t lead anywhere good,” Taz taunts.
It’s the push dagger. I don’t know if it’s my push dagger, but it’s small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. If only I had my holster. If only I were still wearing my jeans. As it is, I’m in these fucking sweatpants with nowhere to hide it. I don’t even have a pocket. My panties are gone… My only option is my bra, but I don’t know if I can hide it there without attracting attention, much less get it out.
“He’s not sending the money.” Blix’s voice has gone dead. “He says he’s calling our bluff.”
“Wrong choice, your majesty.” Dev’s voice drips with sarcasm.
That knot is in my throat again, and I don’t have to be able to see to know they’re all looking at me. I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do now. I have a blade hidden in my palm, and my number just got called.
“Excuse me?” Ava’s sassy voice breaks their focus on me. “Am I wrong or did my husband just refuse to negotiate with terrorists? It seems I told you that would happen.”
“Is that right, queenie?” Taz starts to move in her direction.
Ava, no! I’m sitting in panic. Sometimes my friend is too ballsy for her own good.
“Won’t negotiate with terrorists? Is that right?”
Sounds of a struggle then Ava gasps and whimpers.
“Don’t hurt her!” I shout before I can think better of it.
Shit! Now all eyes are on me again.
“Taz!” Blix snarls. “Find a chair for the queen. She needs to witness how terrorists respond to a failure to negotiate.” He’s walking slowly to me, and I’m losing the ability to breathe. “Dev, get my kit.”
Fear grips my chest. He’s with me, jerking me to my feet. The small knife is in my right hand, and the pointed tip is digging into my middle finger. I can’t hide it much longer. I need to get closer, close enough that I won’t miss this time.
Dev leaves the room. Taz is getting a chair. Blix is so close, the front of his shirt brushes my left arm. It’s now or never. God help me…
“DIE!” I scream, using my body weight for leverage as I rotate my fingers around the tiny blade.
No eyes, my aim is for the base of his neck. The satisfying Chunk! of metal piercing flesh fills my ears and warm liquid spills down my arm. I pull back to jab again, but I’m blocked.
