Page 162 of Hunter's Revenge
She smirks. “Obviously. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you not to try any funny business. The guard is just outside the room, and the grounds are surrounded. I need you alive, but you don’t have to be conscious or functional. Not dead, in whatever capacity that means, will work.”
Not dead.“Like Captain Davison?”
Realization forms in her eyes. “My dear Gwen, you see too much. There are things at work you don’t understand. Debts to settle that can never be monetized.”
“I see.”
She grabs my hands and plugs the key into the lock.
This is my chance. Everything I do next has to be executed with precision. If I get it wrong, everything will go to hell.
The lock comes undone with a quick snap, and my hands are free.
“Go into—”
I don’t let her finish. I throw a punch straight into her face, grab the handcuffs out of her hands, and hit her with them.
She yelps, and I worry the guard will have heard that, but he doesn’t rush in.
“You little bitch. You’ll pay for that.” She lunges at me, but I’m already going for the lamp.
Raw instinct takes over, and I grab it from the table, then slap Esperanza straight in her head as hard as I can when she reaches me. I hit her again and
she doesn’t make a sound as she drops to the ground. Not even a whimper.
In an instant, blood seeps from her head, running down her face.
The way she looks… like she’s just shut down. I think I killed her.
Oh God… I think she’s dead.
I took a life.
The thought feels dirty in my mind; I want to rip it out and purify my brain with the strongest detergent.
I look down at the woman who committed so much evil. She killed my father, and she was the reason we could never be together.
She’s captured now, but if I continue to stand here, I’m going to miss out on this opportunity. Malik will die.
That thought moves me. I crouch down and grab Esperanza phone, then I rush out to the balcony, which is as big as it looked from inside.
No guards have come yet. I’m hoping like hell that means no one heard anything. I also don’t think there are any cameras in the room.
That doesn’t mean I have forever. Someone is going to check soon if we’re supposed to be heading to Mexico in an hour.
I dial Malik’s number and hide behind the alcove with the potted plants. It will be a good hiding space until it’s not.
Malik answers on the second ring, and I savor that voice.
“Malik, it’s me,” I blurt.
“Oh, Jesus, Gwen where are you, baby?”
“I don’t know. I managed to… I think I killed Esperanza.” I pant. “I think I killed her.”
“Baby, please don’t worry about that. Are you safe?”
“No.” I hold back the tears threatening to pour out of me. “I’m in a bedroom. There are guards outside. It’s only a matter of time before someone comes in. We were supposed to fly to Mexico in an hour.”