Page 138 of Play Book

How is this happening?

“This has nothing to do with Ally,” I say, hoping my voice sounds steadier than I feel. “Let her go and you can take me.”

He snorts. “You think I’m stupid? I’ve been waiting and watching for the perfect opportunity. Poisoning my stupid aunt worked out better than I dreamed. I just didn’t count on the kid.” He presses the tip of the knife against her skin. “I said, get away from the door.”

Ally’s eyes are wide with fear, fingers gripping his forearm as she tries to get him to let go of her neck.

“Okay.” I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. “What do you want, Russell?”

“You.” He gives me a sweaty, smarmy smile.

“All right. We can leave here together.”

“Oh, we’re going to leave. All three of us.”

Ally meets my gaze worriedly.

“What are you going to do with an eleven-year-old?” I ask. “She’s just going to slow us down. We can leave her here.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?!” he yells. “The minute we leave she’ll call for help and then they’ll come after us. No, she’s coming with us.”

“Okay, but if you hurt her, then I don’t have any reason to cooperate.”

Abruptly, he shoves Ally away from him and pulls a gun from his pocket. “Fine. But don’t try anything. Because you’re mine now.” His eyes are glassy, as if he’s on something, and he’s sweating profusely.

Gross.

I yank Ally forward and then push her behind me.

“Both of you—walk to the back,” he says. “Move.”

“Russell, can’t we talk about this?” I ask, trying to buy time. Canyon has to be on the way by now, right? The game ended over an hour ago. And Rage was sending a replacement too.

“There’ll be plenty of time to talk once we’re on our way to Mexico. Now, move.”

There’s no way in hell we can get in a car with him. Once we do, it will be incredibly hard to get away, especially if he makes me drive while holding a gun to Ally’s head.

If we’re going to get away, or if I can at least distract him long enough for Ally to get away, then I might have a chance. But I can’t let anything happen to her. Not after everything she’s already been through.

I walk slowly, this time pushing Ally in front of me since Russell is behind us.

“What do we do?” Ally whispers to me.

“Shh.” I squeeze her arm, wracking my brain to come up with some kind of distraction.

“Stop!” Russell follows us into the back room, where I can see the back door is unlocked. “Let me see your phones.”

“I’m only eleven,” Ally says glibly. “I’m not allowed to have a phone.”

Well, score one for the kid.

Since I know her cell phone is in her back pocket.

“Shut up!” Russell snaps, holding out his hand to me.

I slowly hand him my phone.

“Russell, it’s me you want. Let’s just leave Ally here. We can tie her up, so it’ll be at least a couple of hours before anyone finds her.”