Page 35 of Savage Protector

I shake my head. “Someone will be along soon enough. Maybe. When it gets light. A dog-walker, perhaps, or a jogger. Or you could call them, but I’ve already explained what will happen if you do. Best not to involve the authorities, probably, but I’ll leave that up to you. Now, I just need to do a bit of tidying, then we’ll be almost done here.”

I leave him to sob and plead while I make myself busy reaching into his motor to make sure the handbrake is off, then I put my shoulder to it and roll the vehicle forward. I’m glad of those hours spent in the gym as the vehicle inches closer and closer to the river. One final shove, and…

The Toyota rolls into the river and immediately disappears under the water. It would have been a fitting end for Abdul himself, but I have other plans. I turn and stroll back to where he lies.

“It’s been nice chatting, but I need to be getting off.” I cast an eye over his knee. Blood is still pouring from the wound, but it looks to be slowing since he stopped all that rolling about. “Here’s the thing. You’ll probably last until the morning, unless you wriggle about too much and start it bleeding again. Then, there’s a good chance you’ll bleed out before help arrives, and I know you wouldn’t like that. So keep still, there’s a good little Abdul.”

He’s using his good leg in an attempt to shuffle on his arse, away from me and back toward the road.

“I need you to stay here, out of sight,” I explain. “And, really, I’d prefer to be sure you’ll never walk again. A memorable lesson, you understand?” I draw the Glock and take aim at his uninjured knee.

He screams again. “Please, no.NOOO!”

I smile as I pull the trigger. “You take care now, Abdul.”

His screams can still be heard when I return to my M107 and quickly dismantle it. The sound eventually fades to nothing when I jog back the quarter mile or so to my car, stow my gear, and drive off.

A good night’s work, all in all.

8

Leila

“Where have you been?”

Zayn swings around at the sound of my voice, halfway between the helicopter and the castle entrance. Ethan and Jack, on either side of him, pause, too. Zayn mutters something to them, and they move on, leaving him to face me.

I’ve been to see Megan for my final checkup and was on my way back myself when I spotted the chopper just coming in to land. I’d hoped to see him but hadn’t really expected to.

“Leila, how are you?” He greets me as though nothing is wrong. As though he didn’t just disappear for the best part of a week. As though he didn’t send all my calls to voicemail and never phoned me back.

I advance on him. “Where did you get to?” I demand.

He just grins at me. “Nowhere much. Just business.”

“What business? Why didn’t you take my calls?”

He shrugs. “Phone must have been turned off. Or flat.”

“Missed calls?” I remind him. “Don’t you ever check those?”

More shrugging. “I’ve been busy. I’m back now, and I’m told you’ll be heading over to Stirling tomorrow. We should do something to celebrate.”

“Are you so glad to be rid of me?” I know the sarcastic snarl in my tone is probably undeserved, but it comes out anyway.

“No,” he answers, as calm as you like. “I’m just glad you’re moving on.”

“Same thing,” I hurl back. “Is it because of what happened? In my room?”

He tilts his head but makes no pretence of misunderstanding me. “No. Not that.”

“Then what? Why are you avoiding me? Ghosting me? If you’re not interested, you could just say so. It’s not as though I’m going to fling myself on you and have my way.”

His amusement is almost palpable. It’s all he can do not to laugh out loud. I’m tempted to punch him.

Who does he think he is, laughing at me?

“Arrogant git,” I mutter.

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