Page 107 of Romance Is Dead

“I don’t think this is working.” I stared at the door at the top of the stairs. “I still don’t think they can hear us.”

Teddy’s head fell back in exhaustion. “Damn.”

My mind whirred. “I have a new plan.” I slouched in my chair, reaching down toward the floor where Jacques lay nearby. “When she gets back, let me do all the talking.” I paused, noticing the way his eyes still managed to shine in the dim light. “I really am sorry, by the way.” I bit my lip, wishing I could list all the ways I’d screwed up and all the things I wished I’d done differently.

Teddy sighed. “I know. We’ll talk later.” His eyes drifted upward, where Chloe was pacing above us. “I think she’s coming.”

“Shoot.” I strained as hard as I could, buying me another inch or two as I stretched to reach the stuffed bird. “Trust me, ok?”

“I believe in you.” It was a simple statement. Confident. My heart ached. He had no reason to be that confident in me. But as I reached a millimeter further, feeling like surely my wrist was going to break, my fingers finally brushed feathers. I gripped the bird with my fingertips, and with a few more maneuvers, I had it securely in my hand. Another click and I detached the leg, holding it like a dagger as the rest of the bird flopped to the floor.

Footsteps down the stairs.

“We’re good. A very funny thing happened, though. The police showed up. Something about looking for a killer.” Chloe hopped off the last step and went to retrieve her gun from the shelf. “Luckily, they bought my story that I had definitely seen the killer too, and they had definitely just run out of the house and into the woods! Maybe I am a good actress.” She chuckled. “Now, where were we?”

“Wait! Before you kill me, I want to know one more thing.” Careful not to draw her attention, I tightened my grip on the dagger. “Why kill me now? The film’s been cancelled. They won’t reshoot it with you in the lead.”

“I already told you.” Irritation flickered across her face. “This is about revenge now.”

I wiggled the blade against the ropes binding my wrists, making slow but steady progress. “Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to let me go and become more successful than me? Make me watch as you beat me for roles?”

Chloe looked dubious. “I don’t think so. I think I really want to watch you die.” She cocked the pistol.

“Wait! Uh. . .” A few strands of the rope broke beneath my fingers. Many more to go. “I could use my influence to help you get roles. We were friends. We could forget this whole thing ever happened.”

“Hmm, no. After the two of you die, do you understand how infamous this movie will be? How famous I will be?”

Another flick of my wrist, and the blade set my wrists free. Triumph lit up my brain and I jumped to my feet.

There was just one problem. I’d forgotten my ankles were still bound together.

I crashed to the ground, sending the chair I was still attached to tumbling after me. It smacked me against the back of my head, sending stars sparkling across my vision.

Ow.

“God, you’re stupid.” Chloe raised the gun again. “Are you trying to make this easier for me?”

“Never.” Now positioned conveniently at her feet, I grabbed her around the ankles and yanked her to the ground next to me.

“Shit!” The gun flew out of her hand as she went down, clattering across the floor and firing, the bullet hitting the wall. I grabbed for the dagger and sawed through the ties binding my ankles. But Chloe rebounded quicker than I expected, hopping up and running after the gun.

“Drop the knife.” She pointed the gun at me, legs spread as she took aim. “Now.”

“Not a chance, bitch.”

“Fine. Say goodnight, Quinn.”

The door at the top of the stairs flew open. “Drop the gun, ma’am!” There, silhouetted in the doorway, was Larry the cop.

“I already told you that the killer left,” Chloe whined.

“I said drop it!” Larry ran down the stairs, followed by half a dozen of his colleagues. As they filed down the stairs, they revealed Mara, standing triumphantly in the doorway.

“Little did Chloe know I was here to refute her bullshit story.” She sighed. “Thank God you have me around.”

My heart squeezed. As soon as I got out of that basement, I was going to owe Mara the biggest thank you present.

“Ok, ok. You don’t have to be so mean. Ouch!” Chloe cried as Larry slapped handcuffs on her. “I didn’t do it.” She squinted a few times until tears bloomed in her eyes. “I swear I didn’t.”

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