a frown form between my eyes. “What do you mean if my cousin had done what he was supposed to?”
In books and movies, the good guy always gets the bad guy to get caught up in a running monologue, spilling his motives for breaking the law because he likes to hear himself speak.
Unfortunately, this is one of those areas where fiction doesn’t meet fact.
I know that—but there’s nothing wrong with hoping he doesn’t realize it.
Eric pulls a gun out of a holster hidden under his jacket.
So much for Plan A.
Too bad I didn’t have time to concoct a Plan B.
He waves the gun, gesturing for his evil sidekick and me to take the door opposite the one I entered through. The one that doesn’t lead directly into the cafeteria.
I have no choice but to do as he demands. The sooner we leave, the less likely someone else will get hurt. My false bravery can only get me so far.
As it is, Tabitha will never let me live this down…if I survive. She was against me doing the Christmas show, and now I’ve inadvertently given her a reason to say “I told you so,” even if she couldn’t have predicted this.
Reluctantly, I head out the door. They hasten me toward the main entrance. Behind us, the happy sounds of kids and laughter wave good-bye.
Once we’re outside, Eric and his sidekick direct me to a black sedan waiting in the handicap parking spot.
“Seriously? You parked in handicap parking? You don’t even have a permit for it.” I mentally smack my hand over my mouth. I know I shouldn’t speak to him that way, but I can’t help it. Blame it on my nerves. I have a tendency of talking like this whenever I get super nervous.
As in, I-could-possibly-die, super nervous.
He huffs a laugh. “So, sue me.”
I inwardly will that if there’s a God, he’ll ensure the duo get slapped with a hefty fine. That’s the least he can do.
Eric opens the rear passenger door, and Evil Sidekick gives me a shove to get in.
For a second, I deliberate telling them where to shove their preconceived notion that I’ll go willingly.
What are they going to do if I don’t do as I’m told—kill me?
I have no doubt that’s already on their agenda.
Go figure. I finally decide to risk love, and now I’m the one who’s going to die.
But as long as there’s even the teensy tiniest possibility I can escape, I need to embrace it. “If I get into the car, will you tell me what you meant by ‘If Nikolai had done what he was supposed to, the hole would’ve been in Landon’s and Adam’s hearts’?”
“Sure. Whatever. It’s not like it’ll make a difference if you know or not.”
Evil Sidekick gives me another unfriendly nudge in the direction of the open door.
“Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners?” I grumble as I climb in. He snickers behind me and slams the door shut.
Eric walks to the other side of the vehicle and climbs into the back seat to sit next to me. Evil Sidekick turns over the engine and screeches out of the parking lot like a bat about to be boiled in a cauldron of scalding water.
With each passing second, reality sinks in. No one knows I’ve left the building. No one knows where I’m going.
“All right, you got what you wanted,” I say to Eric, doing my darnedest to sound polite. “Now, you can explain what you meant.”
I’d ask him why I have a contract on my head, but to be honest, it doesn’t really matter. That knowledge won’t change anything.
And you don’t have to be Einstein’s offspring to understand why someone wants me dead. It can be summed up in two words: my grandfather.
Revenge runs rampant in his industry.
I guess no one told whoever wants me dead that they’re wasting their time. I’m not exactly up there on his list of favorite relatives.
“Your cousin made a deal with my boss. If Nikolai killed Landon and Adam, the contract on you would be called off. He was quite adamant you’d be left alone after that.”
Unexpected warmth fills my chest at his words. Okay, not entirely appropriate since Nikolai had intended to kill the two men just to spare my life.
“I really am sorry, Chloe. About everything.”
I turn away from Eric, so he can’t see the tears in my eyes.
Nikolai knew that once he fired at Landon and Adam, his life would be forfeit. He had purposely died to protect me.
“Where