him. Warn Reed that he’s headed toward an explosive. Her heart sped, pumping blood through her veins so swiftly she feared she’d pass out. Charles was staring at her intensely, so she forced herself to calm down. Calm, calm.
She moved the tool slowly until she was grasping it tightly in her fingers, and she began to work on the lock behind her back.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Liza kept her gaze glued to Axel as he walked to Sabrina, tapping her lightly on her cheek. “Wake up, Angel,” he said. “It’s almost time. You’ll want to be awake for this.”
Liza used the fingers of her hand not holding the pin to locate the lock, bringing the pin to it and inserting it inside. A bead of sweat dripped into her eyes, stinging. She wiggled the tool inexpertly, frustration and fear making her want to scream. She didn’t know what she was doing.
Sabrina moaned, bringing her head up, her eyes opening slightly. “That’s it,” Axel crooned before walking over to Milo. He shook him a little harder, but he didn’t rouse. Liza removed the pin, taking a breath and inserting it again, trying desperately to keep her hands as steady as possible. She felt Charles’s eyes on her, and when she glanced at him, he was watching her intently, his jaw rigid, eyes dark with intensity. He made a slight movement with his head. Down, over. And then again.
Liza brought the pin from the lock again, taking a few seconds just to breathe. Her fingers were slippery with sweat and they continued to tremble. But time was ticking down, the room was rife with gasoline fumes, and the tiny piece of metal in her hand was her only chance.
Axel turned and Liza went stock still. He smiled at her, moving in her direction. Oh God. Does he know? Does he know? He stopped in front of her and removed a small bottle from his pocket. Sweat continued to drip down the side of her face and bead on her upper lip. If Axel sees, please let him think it’s a side effect of the drug and my fear.
Keeping eye contact, he pulled a pocketknife from his pocket as well and flipped the blade open. Liza’s heart lurched. “What are you going to do?” she practically panted.
“I just need a little of your blood, Angel. I’ll take it from your palm. It will only hurt for a second.”
Her palm? Oh God. Liza clenched the small pin in her hand, her mind spinning and her breath stalling as she tried to figure out what to do.
Axel walked slowly behind her and uncurled her fist.
The one not holding the pin.
Liza’s breath exploded in a relieved gush of air. She met Charles’s eyes as Axel sliced into her flesh. The pain was almost a victory in itself, and she gladly took it. He hadn’t discovered her secret. She felt Axel squeeze her palm as her blood dripped and when he walked back around, she saw the drops of her blood in the bottom of the bottle.
Axel brought the knife to his own palm and made a slow slice, blood pooling. “I’m providing the blood for myself and Everett, my brother,” he said, tilting his hand so his blood dripped into the bottle, mixing with her own.
He turned, taking the few steps to Sabrina, who was blinking around drowsily. With one final glance at Charles, Liza took the opportunity to grip the pin in her fingers. Down, over. Down, over. She inserted it into the lock and pressed down firmly and then moved it over quickly to the right as Charles had indicated. With a barely discernible click, the handcuffs fell open. Liza almost gasped with relieved joy, but managed to keep her face stoic, catching the handcuffs behind her back before they could clatter to the floor.
She didn’t dare look at anyone other than Axel, watching him to make sure he hadn’t noticed what she’d done. As he moved behind Sabrina and took her blood, Liza remained still. He was standing now, turning toward where Milo and Arryn sat near the door.
She turned her head slightly, looking at the short set of wooden steps that led somewhere lower, her pulse pounding with the knowledge that if she did get free, that might be her only escape.
Not if. When. You can do this, Liza. You can do this.
When Axel turned to face Milo, Liza very quickly hooked the handcuffs on the back of her chair so they wouldn’t fall. Her