‘Not for long.’
‘Oh, those friends of yours.’
Bill, Gordon, Clive. Dodgy connections, money and a fierce loyalty. I don’t doubt that retribution will come, and quickly too. But not soon enough.
‘They won’t stop until they’ve found you,’ Dan smiles. ‘And they won’t stop until you’re dead.’ He looks at me, softening his voice. ‘And they won’t stop until you’re safe. I promise. I love you, Maya. I’ll always love you. Whatever happens, remember that.’
Short, sharp breaths catch against my throat. I don’t want to remember. I want to experience it … every single day of my life. And there’s someone else who needs his love and protection. His child. If Boyd never faces retribution, there’s no way he’ll let me keep this baby. Another life damaged by hatred. History repeating itself.
‘She’ll forget you before the week’s out,’ Boyd crows.
‘She’ll never forget me,’ Dan affirms, his attention secured on my face.
‘No,’ I rasp, fighting back a maelstrom of emotion. He can’t die without knowing about our child. There’s no way I’m letting it end like this. ‘No.’ I turn to Boyd, ready to beg one last time. ‘I’ll come with you. Just leave him. There’s no need to do this.’
‘Oh, there’s every need to do this,’ Boyd replies. ‘My doctor once told me to remove all the negative influences in my life.’
‘What made you like this?’ I sob. ‘What fucked you up so much?’
‘I’m not fucked up. I had the perfect childhood, unlike this one.’ He motions the gun at Dan. ‘And yes, I do know about that. Lily told me everything. Very sad. But it’s just the way the world works. Some of us take whatever we want, and some of us have everything taken away. If anyone around here’s fucked up, Maya, then it’s him. He’s covering it all up, but it’ll come out in the end. I’m doing you a favour. I’m saving you.’
‘Please.’
‘Enough,’ Boyd snaps. ‘Shut … your … mouth.’
I look back at Dan. The clouds part again and I catch it in a few moments of moonlight: the slightest movement in his eyes, towards the workbench.
My heart begins to race. I get it. He’s not giving up at all. In fact, at the very least, he’s planning on going out with a fight, and I have my part to play. Determined to do everything in my power to help, I stretch out my legs, slowly, carefully, realising I can just about reach the bench. It’s definitely a long shot, but when I kick, if I kick hard enough, I might be able to provide a second’s worth of distraction. I just need to wait for my cue.
Dan raises his arms further into the air.
‘Any last words?’ Boyd asks with a smile.
‘Just one.’ Dan smiles back. ‘Kick.’
Before I can make a move, a shot rips through the air. I give a start, realising it’s distant, coming from outside. And then I notice Boyd’s confusion. While he glances at the lift, I lash out, kicking at the bench with all my might.
A screech of metal against concrete.
The bench keels over, taking the drill with it.
On top of the gunshot, it diverts Boyd’s attention for long enough. Springing into action, Dan hurls himself at Boyd’s legs and brings him to the floor.
Almost immediately, I hear a second shot, deafening this time, leaving me stunned for a moment before I understand what’s happened. Boyd’s managed to fire the gun. Blinking back tears, I scramble to my knees, and peer into the shadows, breathing out with relief when I realise the bullet didn’t find its mark.
Both men are still moving, wrestling each other, writhing on the floor, throwing punches whenever they can. I have no idea how it happens, but the gun’s dislodged. Clattering past me, it skates to a halt next to the lift. I’m staring at it, wondering if there’s enough time to get over there and grab hold of it when the lift mechanism kicks into life. Someone’s on their way up.
Sixty seconds. That’s all I’ve got. And I’ll never make it. If that’s one of Boyd’s lackeys coming to lend a hand, we’re finished.
Counting in my head, I look back, just in time to watch Dan stagger to his feet, closely followed by Boyd. Neither of them wastes any time, immediately hurling themselves into another struggle.
Ten seconds …
Boyd’s slammed against the wall, and while Dan rains a succession of vicious blows into his stomach, he raises his hands, obviously aiming for his opponent’s eyes. The blows stop. Instinctively, Dan protects himself and Boyd takes his chance, throwing a punch at his chest, sending him backwards, staggering into buckets and falling on his back.
Twenty …
Boyd’s on top of him now, pounding a fist into his face, but somehow Dan manages to wrap a hand around his throat and push him back. Both men roll, stumbling to their feet in unison. Locking together again, they pitch towards the windows, and my heart hammers at my rib cage. Before I can make out who’s got the upper hand, they wheel further towards the plastic sheeting. Either one, or both of them are about to go over the edge. I’m certain of it.
Thirty …
I need to act. And I need to do it now.
Still on my knees, I shuffle to my handbag and nudge it over, spilling the contents across the floor. Straight away, I spot the rape alarm. Manoeuvring myself into position, I pick it up, fumbling blindly behind my back until, at last, I manage to press the button. Immediately, a screech rips through the air, continuing even when I drop the alarm. I look up … and freeze.
There’s only one body silhouetted against the moonlight now. Through the tears, I can barely make out who it is. Pulse racing, I
