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Eva’s eyes widened as I came dashing into the room. ‘What’s happening?’
‘They found me.’ Tears pricked as I tried to survey my options. Run? Hide?
There was no time. Alec stalked into the room, a gun drawn and pointed right at my chest.
Jock slid Eva behind him and straightened his shoulders despite the deadly weapon.
‘I’m not going back,’ I said, my words trembling as I forced them out of my mouth.
‘Yes, you are.’
‘You can’t make me. I’d rather take the bullet than go back to Harold.’
‘You nearly cost me my job. My fucking life!’ Alec’s nostrils flared as he barked the words at me. ‘I’ll take you back full of bullet holes if you like, but you will go back.’
Eva gripped at Jock’s hand as Alec stepped closer, the barrel of the gun staying directed at me. My breath came in hitches. Could I do it? Could I make him shoot me instead? I didn’t want to die.
‘I can’t. I can’t go back.’
‘I will be fucked if I’m going to let some mafia princess in a strop cost me everything I’ve worked for. We’re not all born with a silver fucking spoon in our mouths.’
‘You know Harold. You know it’s not some life of pleasure that awaits me. He will hurt me and beat me and rape me. Every day until I go mad or die. He killed my mum and my brother. How can I stomach it?’
Alec’s jaw ticked, and momentarily I saw a softening in his eyes, but all too quickly it was gone again. ‘Not my problem. My job’s fetching you back. What happens after that has fuck all to do with me. You shouldn’t have used me as a pawn to get away, and then I wouldn’t be here to drag your ass back. You made me do this.’
‘He’s old enough to be my dad. I won’t shackle myself to him to win my father syndicate points.’ I started walking toward him, my knees quaking with each step. I’d force his hand, see how serious he was. He narrowed his eyes before swinging his gun to point it at Jock. My feet became leaden as I froze to the spot.
‘Leave them alone. They have nothing to do with this.’
‘They are harbouring a fugitive. I’ve killed people for less.’ Alec’s voice was bitter, and it sent a chill to my bones.
‘Pretend you couldn’t find me.’
‘It would cost me too much.’
Eva trembled behind Jock, her hand going to her chest as her breathing became heavy.
‘I can get you money.’ I was running out of options. I couldn’t let them get hurt on my behalf. They’d already done more than enough for me.
‘Your father has put a stop on all of your accounts, so unless you’re carry a hundred grand’s worth of jewels, you definitely can’t.’
Fuck.
I’d have to go with him. I’d run out of cards to play.
‘Can I at least say goodbye?’
Alec nodded tightly as I moved over and pulled Eva and Jock into a quick hug, their warmth even under attack sending a jolt straight to my heart.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I whispered under my breath. ‘I didn’t mean for this to come back on you guys. Thank you for everything.’
‘You’re a good lass. If you ever get away, we’d welcome you back any time.’ Jock’s Scottish lilt washed me with kindness.
‘Go out of my window upstairs, across the roof and down the back.’ Eva fixed me with a hard stare. ‘Head for the hills and hide there. We’ll come find you.’
‘I can’t,’ I said in a breath. ‘He’ll shoot you.’
‘I’ll take the risk. I have a feeling that under the bravado there is a boy who wouldn’t shoot an old lady if he doesn’t have to. Once you’re gone, he’ll go after you. When he does, Jock can go for his shotgun and protect us.’
