Play Along

“Run, hide,” I whisper again so only she can hear. I open the door and push her out before she can argue and close it behind her before he changes his mind.

I turn and face my father. “Now, let’s get down to business.”

* * *

Stace

I sink to the floor and sit on the step for a moment as I let my actions sink in. I’ve done it.

That’s it.

I close my eyes in regret. Deep down I always knew we couldn’t be long term. I always had that annoying little voice in the back of my psyche letting me know how it would go. How could I possibly have ever imagined a future with her when we met through the kidnapping?

She was right all along. She did deserve more from her person. I get a vision of her laughing out loud underneath me and I feel a sharp, swift kick to my stomach.

Knowing what I am missing out on is going to make it so much harder to go on.

Damn Vikinos for treating her the way he has. How in hell could he treat his own daughter like that? A daughter as special as she is. My blood starts to simmer, and with renewed fury I stand and turn the handle to get back out onto the floor.

Locked.

Fuck it.

I stare at it for a moment, knowing I have to go to the bottom to get out. My adrenaline starts to pump. I am going to have one of two welcoming parties.

The police or Vikinos’ men.

I want the men. I want my revenge and I’m going to fucking get it.

I’m furious. I glance at the time on my phone. The police should be here within fifteen minutes to pick Rosh up, hopefully sooner, and then I can start my attack.

With Rosh safe and out of harm’s way, I can go back to the original plan. I start to jog down the steps. We are on the tenth floor, so it is a fair way down. Two flights down I hear a noise in the level underneath me and I stop on the step. I peer over the handrail as I try to see what’s coming up the stairs.

Bang, bang. Clatter.

I frown. What is that? I lean over the rail again and see a maintenance man cleaning the rail and I pick up the pace. I jog down and come face to face with him.

“Oh, hello.” I smile casually. “I came into the stairs by mistake and now all the doors are locked.”

“It’s the fire stairs, the doors don’t open until you get to the bottom floor,” he replies with a shake of his head.

“Damn, I didn’t realize.” I look around as I wait for him to offer to open the door. “So you have to walk all the way down the bottom floor every time, do you?” I ask.

“No, I got a key.”

“Great.” I fake a smile.

He keeps cleaning. Am I going to have to jump this dude to get the bloody key or what? “Do you mind opening the door so I don’t have to walk all the way to the ground?” I ask.

“I’m not supposed to. It’s against policy.”

My eyes hold his as I sum him up.

He shrugs. “Why not?” He shuffles over and opens the door for me.

“Thank you.” I smile as I walk calmly into the hallway. I wait for ten minutes and then head straight toward the lifts. I watch the dial above the doors and as it opens I step out into the corridor. I look left and then right. I walk down the hallway toward our original room and I hesitate and swipe the card key across the lock. I brace myself.

I open the door and glance around. Nobody is here.