Page 29 of Between the Lies

Stop it, Nina! You’re only here to get your documents.

Perhaps that was Finn. Despite being a techie, the man kept a strict exercise schedule – and had the muscles to show for it. Though he was too young to crush on.

Nina adjusted the backpack strap again, cleared her throat then checked the clock. Five minutes to go. No time like the present to get a move on, was there?

She didn’t hurry towards him; instead, she peeked at the other shop window – they sold vapes. Then another shopfront, this one with its shutters down.

With exactly one minute to go, Nina approached the leaflet man. She took a step and opened her mouth to ask for a leaflet when she felt her backpack drop to the ground.

Shocked, she checked to see what had happened when a warm gust of air tickled her right ear. ‘Going somewhere, beautiful?’

That voice was familiar now. Eerily so. Shah. How on earth had he got out?

Something hard pierced the spot between her shoulders. And his arm snaked around her waist, tugging her to his flabby torso. ‘Let’s not run away this time, or I won’t hesitate to push the knife in deeper.’

He dug the blade in so its tip pressed into her vertebrae right beside her shoulder blade.

‘I-I…’ Nina stared at the leaflet man, all vestiges of lust gone. Now those leaflets only resembled her lost freedom.

‘Scream and I’ll do it,’ Shah whispered in her ear. ‘I don’t care, not anymore.’ With a tug of his arm, he pulled her away from the leaflets, from her documents, from safety.

‘What do you want from me?’ She tried very hard to keep her voice level. Still, it quivered.

Shah laughed, so low and gruff, images of what he could do to her flashed through her mind. In front of that torture, death seemed more agreeable. ‘Let me go,’ she muttered.

He cackled. ‘Whit’s fur ye’ll no’ go by ye.’

Just as he turned her away from freedom, the leaflet man pivoted, as if in search of someone. Probably in search of her. It was just a minute past 5.30 p.m. now.

His eyes met hers, and a bolt zinged through Nina. She forgot about the knife and the man pressed at her back. Those eyes… that face… she’d recognise it anywhere – that grief melded with determination, and those Adonis-like features.

How had she not recognised the man she’d been lusting over for days now? He’d been the hero in her dreams, the best lover she’d ever had, her knight in armour and all the silly, amorous fantasies you could have about a virile man.

Rob the policeman was here.

She hadn’t just walked into one trap but two. The only question that now remained was: was he in cahoots with Shah?

The answer came to her in muttered curses.

‘Shit!’ Shah muttered

‘Fuck!’ That from Rob.

In his panic, Shah tightened his grip on her waist, causing Nina’s feet to falter. Her wee yelp jolted both men out of their shock.

Shah twisted her so he clutched the knife at her throat. ‘Let us go!’

The leaflets fell out of Rob’s hands like red and green droplets of rain. It was probably a Christmas deal or two that he was offering.

He rushed towards them.

Shah wasn’t having any of it. He grabbed Nina tighter. ‘Iwillslice her open!’

Their shouts drew people’s gazes. Gasps of shock punctuated the air as more people noticed what Shah was brandishing at Nina’s throat.

And it wasn’t some table knife you used on a burger. No, Shah had a butcher’s knife with him. A weapon he’d brought along with the intention of using it… on her.

Nina struggled, self-preservation kicking in. But the more she moved, the more Shah’s grip held fast. Tight, tight, tight. If she didn’t die from the knife slitting her throat, she’d die from asphyxiation.

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