Page 128 of Menace

Leaving me sitting on the table he went to the door, slowly opened it and had a quick look up and down the corridor then came back to me.

“Somethin’s goin’ on out there. No idea what but I’m gonna use it to cover our escape. I’m sorry, it’s goin’ to hurt because I can’t carry and protect you at the same time. You’re gonna have to walk, babe. Okay?”

Biting my lip I nodded as he helped me off the table.

Pain shot through me. So much pain. I bit down on my lip and tasted blood as I shuffled the few steps towards the door. I was getting blood and things I didn’t want to think about on my socks but it couldn’t be helped.

“Okay, here’s the plan. I’m goin’ into the corridor to clear us a path. We’re not goin’ upstairs, we’ll never get out that way. I’m takin’ you out through the basement storage to the garage. I’ll jack one of the cars and take you to the hospital.”

Nodding like puppet I shuffled closer to the door. I was feeling lightheaded and weak.

“Who…who are…you?” I had to know who my rescuer was.

“I’m DEA, babe, workin’ with the FBI. Been undercover with this fucked up lot for too fuckin’ long.” He growled.

DEA and FBI, like Remy used to be. Maybe he knew him.

“You know…Remy Boudreaux?”

His head snapped towards me, a frown between his brows. “Yeah, why?”

I managed a smile through the pain. “He’s…he’s married to my…my friend, Pixie.”

Shock chased the frown from his face.

“Fuckin’ hell. I thought you looked familiar.”

He swore softly after he took another peek out the door.

I looked familiar? Where had he seen me before?

“Uhm…what’s your…name?” I couldn’t keep calling him my guard like I have been doing. And maybe if I heard his name I would know where he had seen me.

“Cole, babe, Cole Conrad. I worked the case with Remy in South Africa, that’s how I know him and where I saw you. You were blonde at the time and I definitely noticed you.” He gave me a wink and tiny smile.

“Then…I’m really…safe.” I whispered.

I winced in pain every time I moved.

His smile disappeared and he was instantly beside me, his arm going around my waist.

“I’ll get you out, babe, I swear I will.” He muttered as he half carried me into the corridor.

And that’s when she struck.

She came out of the dark screaming like a vengeful demon. The knife raised high.

Before Cole could block her she stabbed him high in the chest and he grunted in pain. I felt him shudder as the knife sunk into his body. She came at him again and still he shielded me from her, not allowing her to get near me.

A clanging crash sounded from further down the corridor distracting her as light flooded the semi-dark.

Men streamed into the corridor through an open door and I saw him.

Saw Lucky.

Saw him push to the front of the group, the gun in his hand pointing our way.

Carmella looked at them then back at us, screamed with rage and with the knife raised high came at me, at us, again.

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