Page 32 of Strider's Misstep

VIP entry over, general admission starts. Now the room really begins to get busy. Lunch comes and goes, and, at last, allmy preorders have been collected. There seems to be a lull and my bladder is killing me.

Standing, I tell them, “I need to take a break.”

“Going to the heads?” Helo queries. When I nod, she grins. “I’ll come along.”

I just nod, wondering whether she’s got a weak bladder herself, as she’s been accompanying Sheri on her hourly breaks.

“You’re doing brilliantly,” she confides as we exit the room. “You must be so pleased with the amount you’ve sold.”

I’m nearly out of books and there’s still an hour or so to go. My stocks of swag have been seriously depleted. “I’m overwhelmed,” I reply. “I thought I’d be sitting twiddling my thumbs all day.” I grin at her. “And picking your brains about being a Night Stalker.”

She snorts. “Hell, you can do that anytime, girl.” Her hand touches mine, pausing our forward movement. “Honestly? I really have read your books and you’ve got talent. I’m more than happy to share what I can of my past if you’re truly interested. I know you’d make an amazing story out of it.”

I feel the blood rush to my face as I blush. But as I’ve been trying to ignore my body’s urges for the last couple of hours, the need to pee is really becoming urgent. We’ve started walking again, but I stop short when I see theclosed for maintenancesigns in front of the lady’s bathroom.Shit.

I feel like I’m in one of my dreams when I’m desperate to go and can never find a facility. I’m looking around for a member of the resort staff to ask where the nearest ones are, when,thank God,a man appears and starts removing the signs.

“All yours,” he says, grinning. Once more I go red, thinking he can read the desperation on my face.

“Jasmine,” Helo says sharply.

I’m literally about to wet myself.Ignoring whatever she’s about to say to me,I race inside, go straight into the nearestcubicle, lower my pants and panties and get down to business. Oh, what a relief. I giggle, knowing I mean that literally.

Finishing up, I flush and step outside to wash my hands. I come to a halt when I see Helo held by two men. Her eyes don’t need to flash the warning. I immediately know I’ve fucked up.

There’s a third man who’s concentrating on me. His lips curve as he smirks. “Your husband awaits you, Katrina.”

For some reason, I believe holding my hands, palms forward, and retreating back into the stall is going to save me. Intellectually, I know it won’t, but my body’s on autopilot. It wouldn’t have been safe, but he grabs me before I can reach it in any event.

“You’re coming with us.” He jerks at my arm.

I’m scared. Terrified. But somehow, I find my voice. I haven’t survived three years away from Barclay without growing a spine. “No, I’m not.” I say firmly, fighting as hard as I can.

All I do is make him snigger. “Oh, yes, you are.”

“What are we going to do about this bitch?” one of the men holding Helo asks. “Shall we kill her?” To demonstrate that they can, another holds a gun pointing straight at her forehead.

I catch my breath.No, no and no.Helo didn’t get decorated as a hero fighting on foreign soil just to die in a woman’s stall on her home turf. I open my mouth to scream she’s got nothing to do with me when Thug One, as I’ve named him, the one holding me, responds, “It will make too much mess if we leave a body. Best disappear as we planned it. Anyway, she could be a bonus. Boss might make some money off her.”

“Doubt it,” Thug Two answers. “She’s got really small tits.” He still holds that gun pointed unwaveringly at her.

“But a nice ass,” the other states firmly. “That might compensate.”

Oh, Helo, what have I gotten you into?

“Let her go,” I cry out. “She’s nothing to do with me. She was just someone coming into the restroom at the same time.”

“Nice try.” Thug One smirks. “She’s been seated at your table all day. We’ve been watching you.” He inclines his head toward the third thug. “Boris’s brother has been working as a janitor which gets him access to all areas.” He moves his gaze from me and considers Helo. “Sorry, not sorry, bitch. But you’ve been inconvenienced just because women have to pee in pairs. Always thought there was something perverted about that. But hey, what do I care? And if the two of you want to make out in front of us, well, you won’t hear any complaints.” He cackles as though he’s made a good joke.

I’m watching Helo carefully, wondering what she’s going to do. If it wasn’t for the gun, I reckon she’d be showing us how she can handle herself. But even a ninja isn’t faster than a bullet. Unlike me, she isn’t shaking like a bag of nerves. She’s still composed, able to ignore the remarks about her physical appearance, which would make me bristle. Her eyes meet mine briefly, but it’s hard to read what she’s thinking.

The door to the restroom bursts open, and my heart leaps for a moment until I see it’s another man. This one is pushing a large laundry basket. From the familial resemblance, I take it that this is Boris’s aforementioned brother.

Before I can take another moment to even think if there’s anything I can do to prevent what’s coming next, there’s a sting in my neck. Slapping my hand on the offending object, I’ve only time to process a syringe before my vision blurs, I lose control of my muscles, and my world turns black.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

STRIDER

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