Page 103 of The Perfect Stranger

With a roar, I plunged forward, hard, knocking the frame until I heard the delightful crack. The base of the chair fell away, allowing me to stand straight with only the backrest to contend with. Looking around, I found a door that connected to an office. It still had the round door knob attached and would be sturdy enough for the next task. Hooking the hollow of the backrest over the knob to keep it from moving, I wiggled the rope down the planks. It was tedious, and I feared the movement was only tightening the knots. The rope cut into my wrists tearing the skin.

In front, Nina watched on. She was the strongest woman I’d ever met, and I owed it to her to ensure she made it out alive. I dropped to the floor like a dead weight, my biceps bulging under the strain, veins popping, until finally, the rope slipped the last two inches, and I was free from the chair. I threaded my hands underneath me and over my legs until they were in front.

Quick stepping it over to one of the few windows, I found the sharpest edge of broken glass and started the sawing motion. Once I cut the first link, I turned my wrist over to avoid veins and started again. There was no way of avoiding being shredded to pieces, the glass slicing to skin while simultaneously cutting the rope. When the last thread gave way, I ran to Nina.

Her skin was like ice, and any longer exposed to these temperatures she would have died from hypothermia.

With the now broken piece of glass from the window, I cut through her restraints until finally, she fell free. I caught her weak body in my arms and held her close allowing my body’s temperature to warm her. She gripped the front of my shirt holding me as tight as she could manage. Kissing the top of her head, I carried Nina to a chair. Lowered her down, I removed my jacket, hooking it over her small shoulders. She nestled into it, craving the need for warmth.

Picking her up, chair included, I relocated her to the small office and closed the door.

“Nina, I’m sorry for everything.”

“Don’t be.” Her icy hand cupped my cheek.

“They were after me. When you left, I spent my days targeting their US assets. Plus, it was me who fooled them in Mexico with the masked funds, not you.”

“I need to end this and make it right.”

Her beautiful eyes softened with sorrow. “I know you do.”

I brought her in close, our foreheads touching. “I will be back for you. I promise.”

“I don’t know what lies behind that door,” she said cautious of the muscle and armory they might possess beyond the walls.

“Here,” I pulled the jacket away slightly so she could thread her arms through. “I need you to get warm.” I wound a long tendril of hair through my fingers. “I’ll see you soon, cariña.”

I made to stand, but she pulled me down with urgency into a soft and tender kiss.

When she pulled away, she spoke four words.

Four words that would be my ruin.

“I love you, Antonio.”

I searched the area looking for prospective weapons. Already in my possession was a slender piece of wood shorter than the span of my arm. It had six nails hammered into one side, but without a joining piece, the sharp ends of the nails were exposed.

I also carried in my back pocket the shard of glass I’d used to cut through the ropes.

It wasn’t much, but it would have to do.

The door pulled open easily and the hall was quiet. It was strange to not have a sentry on duty, and the idea of walking into a trap crossed my mind more than once. The rest of the warehouse resembled the floor we were on—dusty, derelict and the perfect place to kill.

Taking to the stairs, I checked the third floor which came up empty. Only when I started the next flight did I hear voices on the second. I paused, listening to the terse conversation that followed.

“How far away are they with the equipment?”

“Ten to fifteen,” Gabriel responded to his uncle.

“Why the fuck has it taken so long? They should have been right behind us?”

“There’s a fatal accident before the turnoff, and they got blocked.”

Something heavy was thrown, hitting a wall and thudded to the floor.

“As soon as they get here, get the bitch to transfer the money and then end them both.”

“I know the fucking plan,” Gabriel practically grunted in frustration.

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