Page 39 of Destiny Redeemed
We haggled back and forth, dancing around details neither of us wanted to fully reveal. Finally, we settled on a price that made me wince internally but seemed to satisfy Red.
It’s not like he was getting any money from me. I was only here for the information. But as a businesswoman, this deal wasn’t the best.
As he stood to shake my hand, sealing our deal, he leaned in close. His breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, “Just remember, little lady. If you’re playing me… well, let’s just say I have ways of dealing with liars.”
A chill ran down my spine. “So, what’s the next step?”
“I have someone perfect to handle this. You can say he’s quite the expert in this field.” Red gestured for the brute to fetch someone. Finally, things were falling into place. I’d dance circles around these thugs and be home in time for bed.
The door creaked open, and my stomach dropped. How could this happen?
Gareth. That sniveling, treacherous weasel. That’s why I saw him hanging around in the inn.
As Red cheerfully filled him in on our “deal,” the pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. Gareth hadn’t just betrayed my father recently - he’d been playing both sides all along.
Brilliant deduction, Ilyana. And it only took you risking life and limb to figure it out. And here I thought things were going smoothly.
I glanced at Tommy, hoping my panic wasn’t as obvious as it felt. The boy’s wide eyes told me he’d connected the dots too. Smart lad. But unfortunately, it’s not a good time for either of us.
My disguise didn’t even fool Red; Gareth would know. There was nothing I could do. My heart was beating faster than I could think.
Three seconds.
“Ready to run,” I breathed, barely moving my lips.
Tommy’s slight nod was the only sign he’d heard me.
As Red was done talking to Gareth, he gestured him in my direction. Gareth’s gaze swept the room, finally landing on me.
Two seconds.
I saw the moment recognition dawned, his eyes widening comically.
“You!” he bellowed.
Time’s up.
I grabbed the rickety chair and hurled it at Red and Gareth with all my might. The satisfying crack of wood against flesh was quickly drowned out by shouts of rage and pain.
I didn’t turn around to see if my hit landed on both of them. Seizing Tommy’s hand, I bolted for the door. We burst into the main room, dodging bewildered thugs left and right.
“Stop them!” Red’s voice thundered behind us.
The sounds of pursuit grew closer as we wove through the maze-like passages. My lungs burned, and Tommy’s ragged breathing told me he wasn’t faring much better.
“This way!” he wheezed, tugging me down a narrow corridor.
Thank God, he remembered the way.
We emerged into an alley, the stench of rotting garbage assaulting my nose. This was a different path than the one we entered from. Freedom was so close, I could taste it.
“Just a little bit!” I desperately ran, holding Tommy’s hand.
A meaty hand clamped down on my shoulder, spinning me around.
“Going somewhere, little lady?” The brute from earlier sneered.
Chapter 10
