Page 20 of Firedrake Betrayal
My stomach rumbles from the delicious savory scents drifting from the kitchen, but I’ve just spotted a potential escape route.
“I need to use the restroom. You can go to the table and I’ll find you.”
I won’t find you. I’ll be leaving.
Dominik gives me a long look.
With our server hovering feet away, Dominik can hardly say no without causing a scene.
Then he smiles. “I’ll wait here for you.”
Shit.
Escape out of the front door would have been more straightforward, but it looks like waiting for Dominik to go to our table and then walking out isn’t an option.
I feel Dominik’s stare in the center of my back as I walk into the bathroom where a woman in a deep red dress is applying lipstick.
Two stalls are free.
I walk past them on my way to a good-sized window with frosted glass.
It slides open easily when I push it up, and discover it leads into an alley. Getting to Wilkerson is a problem I don’t let myself think about yet.
One problem at a time, Jade.
I have my dress hiked up to my knees, one leg out of the window, and a probable hard tumble waiting for me on the other side when the bathroom door flies open.
Yelping, I tip out of the window.
I silence a short, sharp scream as a hand grips my ankle and yanks me back inside.
Dominik.
The woman in the red dress is still holding her tube of lipstick as she leans back from the mirror to stare at us. Then her shock wears off.
“Hey! This is the ladies’ restroom. You can’t be in here.”
Dominik sets me on my feet and gives the woman a wide smile. “My apologies.”
It must be a distractingly handsome smile because she forgets her outrage as Dominik pulls me out of the bathroom and aims a dark scowl at me. “Are you stupid?”
My back stiffens. “I amdesperate, not stupid.”
“I disagree.” He propels me toward the front of the restaurant. I don’t know what Dominik said to get rid of Eric before he followed me into the bathroom because he’s not hovering anymore. “Thisidiocy leads me to believe you are indeed stupid.”
“I am not?—”
The man who opened the restaurant’s doors minutes before looks concerned as we walk out. “Mr. Alarik. I hope all is well.”
If I can convince this server I’m in trouble, then escape can come a little easier than forcing myself through a bathroom window. “This man?—”
“My wife is unwell,” Dominik snaps as he drags me out of the door. “The effects of morning sickness.”
I whip my head toward Dominik, furious and embarrassed. “I am not?—”
The doorman looks delighted. “Such a joyful event.”
The streets are still busy, but one look into Dominik’s face and everyone gets out of our way. Or Dominik’s way. I just get pulled along.
