Page 129 of Working for the Mob

“IF YOU DON’T OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW, I’LL GUT EACH OF YOUS LIKE A FISH!”

I held my breath as the door shook. The chair skidded an inch and I feared we were out of time. It just needed to hold a bit longer.

“Go down the rope!” I yelled at Lucy, but she looked at me like I was crazy.

“Why do I have to go down first? This was your idea.”

“And I’ll be able to hold the chair in place until you’re safely down. When it’s my turn, it’ll just be a window frame, holding the chair in place.”

“If you say so,” Lucy said, and peered to the ground doubtfully.

She climbed onto the windowsill and slipped. She emitted a bloodcurdling scream and grasped around for something to hold onto and I grabbed her hand. Her eyes grew wide, she shook, and she panted like a dog, but she nodded and continued to lower herself down.

I let go of her hand and held the chair while the banging on the door continued.

“If I die, make sure they don’t bury me in anything off the rack. I want name-brand only.“

I steadied the chair as she descended and let the windowsill do most of the heavy lifting.

A voice called out from the other side of the door. “On three. Ready? One …”

I was out of time. I needed to start down now, but Lucy was still on the other end. I didn’t trust the makeshift rappelling rope to hold both of us at once.

“Two …”

My pulse quickened. I just needed ten more seconds.

“THREE!”

A resounding boom that shook the floor exploded as the wooden door gave out, spraying splinters and the chair across the room.

Dust fell from the ceiling as the three captors fell through the doorway, their momentum carrying them to the floor, Lem among them.

I didn’t hesitate. I climbed through the window and began to lower myself down. Before I lowered myself past the windowsill, I had one brief glance at an irate Lem, almost to his feet.

I slid down the rope so quickly that it burnt my hands. I needed to get to the bottom of the rope before Lem could cut the line. Or worse, throw the chair out of the window.

I looked down and panic seized me again. A shadow was sprinting towards Lucy. Before I could shout a warning, I heard her voice.

“Art, is that you?” she asked.

I wanted to shout that she must be mistaken. That Art wouldn’t have shown up here because he didn’t love me. He never loved me. I wanted to shout that she needed to run away from that man, because he most likely intended her harm. But it was Art’s voice that yelled up.

“Genevieve!”

I almost forgot about the drifter and Valuncias just feet above me, bickering over who would follow me out of the window. ItwasArt! I felt so excited, I could kiss Madame Rousseau on the lips!

Lucy beelined straight to him. I thought she was going to hug him. Instead, she swung her arm back and slapped him across the face.

“You stay away from her!” Lucy yelled. I’m surprised Art didn’t back up because the force of Lucy’s words made me want to scurry back up the rope.

Just like that, I remembered that Art broke up with me 12 long hours ago. The realization washed over me like a cold bath.

“Fuck, Lucy. I’m trying to help!” Art screamed back.

“By breaking her heart again?” Lucy pushed him, but Art held his ground.

“Genevieve!” Art yelled up at me.

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