Page 90 of Something Borrowed

The alarm is silent now, but they’re already on their way.

And I have other appointments at other buildings across this city.

My tires skid on asphalt as I pull away.

I am so fucking alive right now. My heart is thundering against my ribs like a hawk trying to claw its way out. Music blares around me again and I slam my finger against the screen. The map changes, showing me the way to the next address on the list.

This one is a warehouse at the docks.

Once I’ve got inside, I pour gasoline over wooden crates. I don’t know what’s in them and I don’t care. I don’t care about any of it.

All I want is her, and he is soon going to regret not giving me that.

I work until the entire floor space reeks of combustible liquids. Waiting for my lighter, ready to burn it all to ash.

At the wide steel doors I crouch low on the ground and touch the little flame to the floor.

The blue flame runs across the narrow river of gasoline towards the crate.

As soon as it reaches the crates the size of the fire triples, lapping outward, it triple again and again until the entire warehouse is a furnace.

Sweat drips down my temple and I run my hand through my hair, pushing it back, away from my eyes.

The heat is breathtaking.

Bright orange and red is dancing in the reflection of my eyes and for a moment I am mesmerized by it and lost in thought.

I hear a car pulling up nearby and snap out of it.

Move.

They are here.

I bolt down the alley way on the side of the burning warehouse and back towards my car.

I can’t stop smiling.

I can’t wait to see her again.

After tonight is over, he will have lost so much he will beg me to take her.

I drive away with my lights switched off until I reach the main road. Then I press my finger against the next address.

I’m familiar with this area.

It’s filled with high rises, tall and expensive and painful to lose.

I’ll see if I can disable to alarm and take my time on this one. I want to cover as many floors in gasoline as possible to ensure that the entire building burns to the ground before they can put it out.

A quick stop at the storage unit is required though. I need more gasoline. And my tool kit to cut the security wires.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Verity

Outside my room I hear a loud commotion. A door slams. There is shouting and someone is seething with rage. I stand up, tense, ready for anything. Waiting for Rufino to come bursting through the door. Waiting for gun shots and screaming. He must be here. He’s found me. He’s come to rescue me.

I stand deadly still, tilting my ear towards the sounds.

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