Page 86 of Mayfair Madame
“We’re surrounded by people, bitch. I could cut any of these. So, be a good whore and stop struggling.”
I couldn’t let him do that. These were innocent people he threatened. Women and children, old and young. I wouldn’t risk their lives. I didn’t doubt he’d carry through on his threat. His voice reeked of desperation and malice.
“You won’t get away with this.” I inhaled sharply. He twisted the knife, and pain shot through me.
“Oh, I have every intention of getting away with it. I’ll gut you and leave you for dead, and no one will know who did it. Now move.”
Another sharp jab with the knife propelled me forward through the crowd. Where was he taking me?
We passed the entrance to Mayfair Heights. Guy was coming out of the gym. If only I could catch his eye.
“No funny business. Keep walking, bitch. I’ve got plans for you.”
For an elderly man, he was strong, and I remembered how he’d shoved me a few weeks before. Then he’d been fuelled by lust and alcohol; now he was fuelled with hate. A powerful emotion.
“Just let me go, please.” I wouldn’t beg, but I’d do whatever it took to keep me alive. He was intent on hurting me, but I didn’t know how much.
Would he have the guts to kill me? I fucking hoped not.
“Downhere.” He shoved me down an alleyway a little way from the Heights and rammed my back into the wall. With no one around, my odds increased. The hours I spent at the gym wouldn’t be wasted, but that didn’t stop the terror that consumed me.
“I dropped the charges against you. Why are you doing this?” Bile fought its way up my throat at his foul breath. Maybe I could talk my way out of this.
He looked unkempt; his wild eyes darted this way and that. Was he on anything, or was this a consequence of his rage? His beard was straggly, and his clothes were stained. It looked like he hadn’t washed in days.
“You took everything from me. My home, my wife, my livelihood. I’ve got nothing because of you. I should take you right here, shove my cock right up that tight pussy of yours. You’re nothing but a fucking whore. I told Clement that the night we first met. I’ve seen women like you. Offer it up on a plate and then cry when we give you what you want.”
“I never fucking wanted you. That was all in your own tiny mind.”
“Don’t push me, bitch. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d killed someone. Some women just don’t know when to shut up.”
Whoa,I wasn’t expecting that, but fear took hold. If I stood here any longer doing nothing, I could be lying in an alleyway bleeding out. My hands tingled, and pain radiated through me, a deep throb now in my side. I had to do something.
There were times I wished I were more diplomatic and that I could keep my mouth shut.But I hadn’t got where I was by being downtrodden and dominated. No, fuck that shit. There was only one way I was getting out of this.
“You did that to yourself. I’m surprised your wife stayed with you this long. I’m betting you couldn’t satisfy her, and she’s already got someone on the side giving her the fucking you couldn’t. Is that why you assault women? Because you do it to feel important? Huh, impotent more like. I’m betting I’d need a magnifying glass to find your micro-dick.”
Then sometimes it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. That epiphany hit me as the blade sank deeper into my side.
I slumped against the wall, held up only by his hand on my shoulder. Lightheaded and nauseous, I tried to keep it together. The only thought that went through my head was that he’d ruined my perfect outfit. The blood would never come out of this top.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?”
Was that Ellie? What was she doing here? That couldn’t be right. We were supposed to be meeting at Lorenzo’s for a meal, then drinks, then sex. Another fucking date ruined!
“Move along, girlie. Nothing for you to see here.” He tilted me away from prying eyes, no doubt wanting to hide the blood that gushed from my side.
“Girlie? Fucking girlie? I think you’ve forgotten where we first met, Lord Godfrey. Detective Ellie Sharpe, and I’m here to arrest your sorry arse. Don’t fucking move.”
“You’ve got nothing on me. I’m just having a chat here with an old friend.”
“Oh, spare me the fucking excuses. We both know exactly what’s going on here. Step away from her, Godfrey. Naomi, are you okay?”
I shook my head as best I could, barely able to breathe through the pain. I didn’t think Ellie realised there was a knife sticking in my side.
She pulled out her phone. “This is Detective Ellie Sharpe. I need a unit at Mayfair Heights. Assault in progress.”
“Don’t come any closer. I will kill her.”
