Page 56 of Built of Flames

She’d left her cutlery and her junk drawer behind. Maybe those items were still there. Bella used her feet to swivel in a circle, away from the pyre and toward the kitchen area.

Her head ached and her stomach wanted to revolt at the movement, but she didn’t let it slow her down. Her life hung in the balance, and she couldn’t waste any time.

It was about ten feet to the peninsula that separated the kitchen from the living space. Unwilling to spend the time it would take to get to her feet, Bella rolled a few times. Then she had to twist and shove with her feet to get around the corner.

The junk drawer was closer, but she’d have to get to her feet first.

Breathing heavily, Bella rolled onto her knees and scrunched up. With a push, she got to her feet and leaned into the counter to stop herself from slipping back down.

Instead of cheering, she yanked open the drawer. Empty. She hopped quickly to the cutlery drawer, but it was empty as well.

Time to escape. The exterior stairs or the ones leading down into the garage?

Where was Kent, and which entrance would he use?

She’d try the exterior. Even though she figured he would be more likely to use those, she could call for help as soon as she was outside.

Bella turned and hopped toward the door.

A slow clap from behind her had her whirling her head. The movement was too much for her body and she slammed into the wall and then down to the floor, knocking over a small entry table on the way. She’d used it to keep her keys, but there was nothing handy on it.

The clapping neared, and she looked up to see Kent approaching with a smirk on his face. “Well done, Isabella. I knew it would be worth it to wait around until you woke up. You’ve been very enterprising. And entertaining.”

“Why are you doing this, Kent? What do you want?”

His face morphed from cocky to furious. “What do I want? Stupid bitch. I want everything I’m supposed to have, everything that was due to me, but got ruined by you and your family.”

Kent threw up his hands, then pointed at her. “You and your precious father and shining-star brother. Idiots and assholes, all of you.”

Bella didn’t know what to say. In all the movies, they said to keep the person talking to give you time, but she had no idea how to respond.

“First, you’re too good to even go on a date with me. Then your asshole brother gets hired before me. Me. He’s no better than me. He’s not nearly as good at anything, but he sails on through.”

Kent walked back toward the bedroom hallway, where he’d apparently been hiding, and Bella gripped the table with both hands. She might not have a traditional weapon, but she hoped she could do some damage with the table.

“Your father screwed over my father for the promotion, and you know what that did? Do you know?”

He’d turned to her again, so she froze, but didn’t risk an answer.

“Dear, sainted Juan Martinez forced my father into retirement. Embarrassed him. Broke him. All because he didn’t want the reminder of the man who should have been chief.”

Bella remembered the DUI convictions and figured that was the cause of the retirement, not her father.

“And who’s in line for the job when the asshole retires? The one and only sainted son. No one else has a chance. No one will even be considered. Gotta keep it in the family and screw over everyone else.”

Kent stalked toward her and kicked the table she’d been holding out of her hands. It scraped across her face and then smashed into the wall behind her.

Had it broken? Were there usable pieces? She couldn’t risk taking her eyes off Kent, but when he turned his back, she would try to grab something.

But instead of turning back to continue his pacing and ranting, Kent kicked the rest of the table out of his way and leaned down to grab her by the shirt.

He yanked her to her feet and then slammed her backward into the wall. Her head thumped, making the dizziness worse. Kent hauled her forward and threw her toward the pyre in the living room.

“You and your family deserve to burn in hell. Guess who’s going first?”

Then he disappeared down the hallway. Bella forced herself to her knees and started moving toward the door.

Kent’s roar had her moving more quickly. The smell of gasoline filled the room, and she scrambled to move as quickly as she could.