Page 2 of Playing For Keeps
“What? How did?—”
“Someone came into Dorothy’s apartment while I was on the phone with her, demanding things from her.”
“What were they demanding? Who was?—”
“It gets worse. I heard a woman tell her to hang up the phone. I told Dorothy not to do it, but there was a huge scuffle. The call dropped right after that. Get your team to her now! I’m on my way. I’ll meet you there.”
My driver skids out of an alley and onto the street, almost getting hit by a red minivan. The horn blares as it swerves to miss us.
My heart’s thumping. I’m about ready to jump out of the car, but we’re only a street away.
“Go to the front of her building. I’ll get out there.”
“Yes, sir.”
He speeds down the road, maneuvering in and out of traffic until we drive up to Dorothy’s loft. The car slams to a stop right as I fly out of the backseat and sprint up her stairwell and down the hall.
Her door is open, hanging by one hinge. Dread pulsates through my stomach, and a heavy weight squeezes around my chest. I try to breathe, but my lungs won't expand. A wave of dizziness rolls through me.
Limbs shaking, I dash inside Dorothy's loft, hoping with everything in me that I’ll find her inside, alive and well. Hoping that her bodyguard was with her and that he did his job like he was supposed to.
A woman I don't recognize is kneeling over a bloody, hogtied man who has been beaten to a pulp. She's pale, stricken, wide-eyed, and shaking like maybe she's in shock.
“Where’s Dorothy?” I scan the area.
My worst fears are confirmed. She’s not here.
The woman turns to me, visibly trembling. “I don’t know. We were supposed to meet, but when I got here, I found this man lying here like this. Can you help me? I don’t know what to do.”
I spin toward the door and rake my hands through my hair. “Fuck!”
“Please help him while I call for an ambulance.” The woman tugs on my arm.
I nod while forcing out an exhale and dart over to the man, who I assume is Dorothy’s bodyguard. He’s bound with rope, and I can’t get him untied.
I push him to his side and rip the tape off his mouth. “I need a knife or something to cut the ropes with.”
“There’s a switchblade in my pocket. Use that.” He coughs and releases a moan.
“Did you see who did this?” I pat the outside of his pockets to determine which one his knife is in, then reach in and tug it out.
His voice shakes as he speaks. “I was jumped by two guys, but I was coldcocked within seconds. Everything after that is a blur.”
I climb behind him and cut the ropes with his blade.
The woman with us cries into her cell phone. “I need an ambulance. There’s a man who’s been beaten and tied up in one of my units.”
I glance her way. She’s a terrorized mess. She’s going to be less helpful to me than this guy.
There’s nothing I can do until Aiden and his team get here. Pins and needles ravage my nerves, slowly tipping me over the edge.
I cut the last of the ties and stand beside him. “You’re Tom, correct?”
“Yes, I’m Dori’s security.” His legs and arms unfold, and he sits up, rubbing his wrists and ankles.
“I figured that much.”Some fucking security.“Stay where you are, Tom. We’ve got help on the way.”
“I’m sorry this happened. Jamison’s going to have my head for this.” Tom runs his hand down his face and groans. “They took my gun.”
