Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)(20)

“Hey.” She tried to push back, but she was terrified of what that hard item was at the back of her spine.

His breath was hot against the shell of her ear. “Hello, sweetheart. I would suggest you don’t move or yell out. Do you feel that?”

She thought about calling out, calculated the odds. Adrenaline started to pump through her body, heightening her senses and making her hyperaware. If that was really a gun, the movement required to force the man away could cause the trigger to move enough to fire. It would hit her at L2 and more than likely sever her spinal column, leaving her without the ability to walk. She decided to nod.

She could see him in the mirror. He was dark haired, with a close-cropped beard, his eyes clear and focused. He wasn’t panicked and that was a good thing.

He smiled and she was sure to anyone glancing at them they looked affectionate. “If you say or do anything to alert these kind people, I’ll shoot you and then I’ll shoot them. Nod if you understand. And give me a nice smile.”

There were five people within range. If he was a good shot, he could probably shoot her and at least two others. What did he want? Could she get him somewhere he couldn’t hurt other people? She nodded and smiled, though she had to force it and wasn’t sure she would fool anyone.

His smile was vibrant. He was a decent looking man for a total and utter criminal. He had a good half a foot on her. He was wearing all black and she couldn’t see much of him, but she would bet there was a lot of muscle there. Bigger. Stronger. She couldn’t see a single advantage she had over the man. Her heart was pounding so hard she was surprised no one could hear it.

“I want to take a little walk and we’re going to talk. I need some information and you need to give it to me. When I’m satisfied that you understand, I’ll let you go.”

Sure he would. But maybe…maybe this was about her father. Maybe this was some move to scare her so she would talk to her father about legislation or something. She decided to go along at least until they were out on the street and she had a shot at not being in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. When they got out on the street, she could run. She could find something to use against him. There would be chaos on the streets the minute the gun came out, and she could use that to her advantage.

Also, Erin would come looking for her if she stalled long enough. Erin would know she wouldn’t miss the meeting with Master T.

Keep your head. Don’t risk the lives of everyone here.

“What do you want?” Faith kept her voice quiet.

“I want to talk. That’s all.”

The gun shifted to her side and an arm went around her waist as he pulled her back. She thought he would take her out the front, but they started toward a hall to her left. To her right was the rest of the store, with its designer bags and clothes she couldn’t justify buying. It looked like she was going out an employees only door.

Panic threatened. Please let this be some nutbag who wanted to talk to her about her father’s stance on fracking or taxes.

She looked around, praying someone was watching them. The clerks on the floor seemed involved with customers or preoccupied with product. No one was watching them. No one noticed when they slipped away.

Everything became quiet. The minute the door closed, it seemed like the world had been shut off from her. She was alone with him and the hallways seemed almost too bright. The fluorescent lighting made her blink. The walls were concrete, painted blocks. She got up close and personal with them when her attacker shoved her body against the wall and pressed in hard.

Pain flared. He hadn’t held back. He’d used a great deal of force, and she felt it in her bones.

“You are awfully pretty.”

She took a deep breath because she wasn’t going to talk her way out of this. She would have to fight. His hands were on her. He’d holstered his gun, obviously comfortable with the fact that he could handle her now that they were alone.

He was wrong.

At least she hoped he was.

His hand moved down her torso. “So pretty. Maybe we could spend some time together before I do what I have to.”

She didn’t care anymore. She pulled her elbow forward as far as she could and brought it back on his ribs. A hard thud hit her ears and then she was free. She heard him curse, but didn’t wait. She took off. Instinct led her away from the door he’d taken her through. He was in front of it and all she wanted was to get as far away from him as she could.

She ran down the long hallway, stumbling because she’d worn stupid shoes. Heels. She never wore heels but she’d put them on because she’d wanted Master T to think of her as sexy and sensual, and not practical the way all the other men in her life saw her. She never wore heels. She wore sneakers. God, she wished she was wearing sneakers now.

Up ahead she saw a door and didn’t hesitate. She could hear him cursing. When she glanced back, he was getting up to his feet and she could see that shiny gun in his hand. It looked like he was no longer interested in feeling her up.

Pro. He was a pro. The idea whispered through her head. Someone had sent a professional after her.

She hit the door with force and immediately smacked into a mountain of muscle. She started to scream, but a hand came out and she found herself looking up into seriously blue eyes.

“Was there only the one? Did he mention whether or not he had a partner?” a deep voice asked.