Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) (3 page)

“Demetri. Now tell or I ask them.”

“I’m at the Holiday In, in Timonium,” I lied, but it was within walking distance, I could get there.

“Take picture. Send it now.” He hung up.

My body was trying to escape, turning inside out to flee as my mind stayed put, trying to think this through.

I slid on my jacket and shoved my keys, pocketknife, and pepper spray into my pocket. Phone in hand, I made my way out of the hotel. What the hell was going on? I pulled up Leona’s number as I hustled down the stairs and then abandoned that idea. Warning her might only make it worse, cause her to panic and tip him off.

My blood surged through my body, thick with anger and fear, anger at myself and fear for my ex roommates. The small knife and pepper spray in my pocket wasn’t any reassurance, Silas still had my gun.

Silas. I found his number and dialed as I walked to the sidewalk lining the highway, toward the Holiday Inn. But his voicemail picked up as an incoming call broke through. Shit.

“Hello,” I answered, breathless from my clipped pace.

“Send picture now. Important I find you. Nothing bad.”

“Nothing bad?” I stalled, trying to keep him talking till I could get to the hotel, but also curious. “Then why are you sending threatening messages?”

His breathy laugh was like nails on a chalkboard. “That’s no threat. I not waist time is all. My job, find you. Now send picture and stay till I come.” He hung up again.

The hotel was visible now, so I took a picture of the street signs at the intersection and sent it. Then I sat down on the bench at the bus stop and waited. When a bus pulled up, I was tempted to hop on, but then what? He might return to the house, I couldn’t risk that. This guy was part of the deal I made, I had to face him and find out what he wanted.

It was impossible to put my thoughts in order or make sense of them, they were twisted beyond recognition. By time the sleek Silver Lexus pulled up to the bus stop, I was close to melting down. I wouldn’t let him know that though.

The passenger side window lowered, and he didn’t even bother looking in my direction as he said, “Get in.”

“Why? What do you want?” I snapped under my chaotic emotions.

He cut me a side look and his dark eyes flashed with irritation. “Not me, Anatoli wants to talk. Get in.”

When I didn’t move, he leaned over the empty passenger side seat, lean arms flexing under his t-shirt as he opened the door. “It’s about what you ask for; get in.”

My skin burned to leave but I got in the car. I had asked for this, Leona and the others didn’t.

He whipped the car into traffic and turned up his music, loud, a heavy metal song that fueled my anger.

“What?” I yelled over the noise.

He pressed a button on the steering wheel and the music cut off. “I take you to Olli’s. That’s my job, that’s all.”

He flicked the music back on, drowning out any response I might give. Not that I was going to give one, the lunatic next to me was just a deliveryman. I used the rest of the thirty-minute car ride to place a calm mask over my frenzied emotions, so I could face Rusnak.

My new calm exterior was ripped away the moment Demetri whipped out a pistol, placing it to my temple. I guess I should have expected it, but it happened in the blink of an eye; the moment he pulled into a detached garage, behind a mansion, he had the gun out. And then he turned off the car.

He grabbed one wrist, demanding, “Give me other arm, behind you.”

The tip of the gun pushed my head as he spoke and I did what I was told.

Demetri used a cable tie to handcuff my wrists together, the plastic biting into my skin. Leaning over me, his free hand swiped my body and he emptied my pockets, snorting as he tossed my knife and pepper spray to the side. His fingers slid around the rim of my shoes and then he grabbed my arm, yanking me out of the driver’s side door with him.

When we were both standing, he slid the gun into the front of his waistband but left it exposed over his shirt.

The garage was dark, no windows to let the moonlight in.

He gripped my elbow, dragging me to a door in the back corner. My heart ricocheted inside me like a pinball but didn’t pump any blood to my head. It was all in my feet and I couldn’t think. He opened the door to narrow stairs and pushed me up them, nearly making me fall. I wasn’t moving fast enough for him, he kept pushing.

Demetri flipped on the lights, revealing a sparse apartment—one sofa, one small dining table with two chairs. But I didn’t get to look long; he pulled me through the room, shoving me into a bathroom.

The door closed, the click of a lock, and then silence. He had left me alone.

It was useless but I tried the door, pulling at the handle with my hands behind my back, it didn’t budge. I scanned the claustrophobic box of a room that was now my cage. It was empty besides the sink and toilet, there wasn’t even toilet paper.

Unable to sit and do nothing, I pushed at the door with my shoulder, a pathetic attempt. So I kicked at the door instead, using the bottom of my foot to pound at it, but it didn’t splinter, it only boomed with the effort. It must not have been made of wood, not since it vibrated my leg with each force and didn’t even shake.

I don’t know how long I tried, but I kept at it until my legs were numb and unable to lift anymore. Tears were rolling down my face as I slumped to the ground, exhausted and confused. Sucking in air, I breathed down my panic. I needed a clear mind to think, not this jumbled mess.

I am an idiot, that was the only thought that made sense and was repeatedly screaming in my head.

The door opened, surprising me. I hadn’t heard anything on the other side, and I had been listening.

Rusnak stepped in, his long limbs folding as he sunk to his knees in front of me. “I am sorry about this.” His arms wrapped around me to cut the bands behind my back.

I stood up, away from him.

“Demetri she is a guest, not a prisoner,” he scolded, still on his knees as Demetri appeared in the doorway.

“She would have run, I saw in her face.”

“She is a guest.” He stood and smoothed his hand along his dark suit jacket. “Demetri was supposed to bring you here to talk to me. I have found out some rather disturbing news and wanted to make sure my newest boxer was safe.” His eyebrow lifted and he nodded to the living room. “Let’s sit and talk.”

He walked away without waiting for a reply. But Demetri stayed, waiting for me.

Rusnak was a liar. He didn’t care that I was locked up here or practically kidnapped. I ran my hands along my sore wrists as I shouldered past Demetri, a crazed sort of anger taking control.

I took a deep breath as I faced Rusnak. He was sitting on the only couch and nodded at the space next to him.

Pulling a table chair over, I sat a good distance away.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked with his smile, as if we were two friends talking.

“I want to know what the fuck is going on.”

His eyebrows popped up, but smile stayed in place. “I brought you here for your protection. You will stay here, actually in the main house, until everything is resolved.”

“My protection?” I popped up, incensed, “I was just held at gunpoint and tied up by him. So fuck you—”

Demetri took a threatening step forward, but Rusnak raised his hand ever so slightly, stilling the man. It was that little gesture, with his politician smile still in place, that froze me. This man held power in just the flick of his wrist.

I sunk back down onto the seat, the anger in me receding and leaving me hollow.

“I’ve already apologized for Demetri. Tell her Demetri, that you’re sorry.”

Demetri met my eyes with a blank look. “I’m sorry.”

“There. Now, as I was saying, Demetri has learned that there is a threat on your life. I think you knew this?” he didn’t wait for my acknowledgment. “It seems that this man is more serious than we realized and this man has more pull than we’d thought. It’s strange because I’ve never heard of Damien, but Rock seems to hold him in high esteem and protects him. That is something we’re looking into as well.” He looked to Demetri who nodded, and then he focused back on me. “Until we can ensure your safety, you will stay here. I take care of my employees.”

His words burrowed into my brain. Was this really to keep me safe? Or just to keep me under their control? I was thinking the latter. “He can still be killed, right?”

Rusnak’s smile dropped. “I am telling you only that we will keep you safe. If Damien happens to die, you’d be safe. Given the people he associates with, I wouldn’t be surprised if he dies soon, maybe even this week.”

Demetri inclined his head as Rusnak looked towards him.

I got the message, Rusnak was above the dirty work.

“Well, I have to go, I do have prior arrangements tonight but we will talk more in the morning. Demetri will take you to your room.”

He stood up and nodded at me, eyes bright. “Enjoy your stay.” Then he walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Demetri and taking any warmth with him.

“Let’s go.” His usual blank face was frowning. “I will kill Damien soon, then I be done babysitting you.”

I smirked, getting a sick pleasure out of his unhappiness.

He walked me to the main house, in through the basement. I took in the opulent surroundings as we made our way upstairs, more to know the layout than for appreciation.

The hallway on the main floor was wide and long with white walls, gold trim, and dark cherry doors. One of the doors opened, and my heart leapt into my heart leapt to my throat as Gage stepped into the hall, swinging the door shut behind him. He radiated anger, his face severe as he made his determined path down the hall.

Demetri continued to push me forward and my wrists still burned from the ties earlier. Gage didn’t seem to notice me as he stormed past and I panicked, reaching out for him. I needed someone to know I was here, other than these strangers.

He ripped his arm away as if I’d burned him. When his eyes met mine, he shot me with a look of pure disgust. His hands flexed at his sides as he seethed, “You never could fucking listen, could you?”

He stepped towards me and I moved back, but it was Demetri’s step forward that stopped Gage.

Lightning flashed in Gages eyes as he narrowed them at Demetri, then slid them back to me. He shoulder checked Demetri as he walked away.

GAGE’S WORDS AND ANGER RIPPED THE LID off my emotions, and now he was walking away with it.

Demetri shoved me towards the stairs and everything spilled out. I was a hopeless mess, sure I was being walked to my death.

I spun around, shouting over Demetri’s shoulder, “What a surprise you’re walking away, like always!” Gage turned the corner out of sight, but I continued to yell, “Can never fucking stick around, can you?” My arm burned as Demetri gripped it, pulling me down the hall.

Gage hadn’t even looked back as I yelled at him. He hadn’t even slowed his pace, and I felt like a ghost, already dead.

I whipped around to Demetri and shoved him, hard, but his grip remained. “I can fucking walk on my own. Stop pulling on me.”

He dropped my arm with a smile and gestured to the stairs. I stomped up them, ignoring my shaking muscles.

“Turn right, last door on left,” Demetri directed from behind me.

I took a deep breath, fortifying myself for the walk to the room that would be my new prison. No matter what Rusnak had said, I knew none of this was for my benefit. I couldn’t believe his lies, not when I was stuck with Demetri.

I stepped into the room, a little taken back by the size and luxury of it. It was nicely decorated in greys and blues. Among the furniture, the king size bed and flat screen TV on the wall caught my attention.

Demetri stepped in behind me and all my focus went back to the mad man who stood with a smirk.

His dark eyes narrowed as he spoke, “You and Gage, have lovers fight?”

That was ice to my boiling blood. I walked to the opposite side of the room, to the window, checking out the view but also putting space between us.

“He’s crazy. Better to stay away.”

My eyebrows nearly sprung off my head in shock. Demetri calling him crazy scared me and only confirmed that I didn’t know Gage at all.

Demetri walked to the nightstand by the bed. “Here is remote for TV. You stay here tonight, I come back for you in morning.”

The window overlooked the side yard, and the forest beyond. There were no houses within view, not that I would run for help anyways. I had to finish what I started.

Turning back to Demetri I nodded. “How long do I have to stay here?”

“Only couple of days, maybe week.” He shrugged one shoulder and then left, locking the door from the outside.

I did the only thing I could do. I took off my shoes and climbed into the soft bed. Leaving my jeans and T-Shirt on, I slept.

I’d been awake for hours. I took a shower, stared at the TV, and paced the room—a lot—before Demetri came strolling in.

“Breakfast waiting downstairs.” He was dressed casual, in faded jeans and a coca cola t-shirt, but still managed to make his simple words sound ominous.

“I’m not hungry.” I faked interest in the news on TV.

“Olli is waiting, too.” At my questioning look he sighed, “Rusnak, Anatoli Rusnak. Come now”

Demetri took a step towards me and I stood from the bed, out of reach.

“I’m up; let’s go.” My hand went up to keep him away. I didn’t need him yanking me around anymore.

Rusnak was seated at the head of the table in the kitchen. He stood as I entered and pulled out a chair to the side of his for me to sit in.

As I approached, I tried for confidence, but I was empty, drained.

When I sat, he pushed in my chair and rested his hand on my shoulder. “Did you sleep well?”

I nodded, keeping my eyes on the dark wood table in front of me, unable to look up at this man who was standing too close as I resisted the urge to knock his hand away.

His fingers curled on my shoulder, applying soft pressure. “Good.” He released me and then sat in his own chair.