Love You to Death Read Free Page B

was suddenly attacked with a case
of nerves.
    Bad vibes rolled down the hallway and hit me
in sick forceful waves. I’d waited too long. The elevator doors
began closing. I stuck my arm out and stepped into the hallway. I
stood there, staring down the long stretch of nothing.
    I sucked in a deep breath, telling myself I
had to do this. For Stewie.
    I carefully moved along the hall until I came
to door number six. I reached out to grasp the knob only to find
the door yanked open and a medium-sized man standing on the other
side.
    He looked startled for a second then seemed
agitated at finding me there.
    “You’re too late. We’re closed,” he said,
crossing over the threshold to join me in the hall. He locked the
door then tested the knob.
    “Sorry,” I said. “Traffic was a bear.” I
flashed a sarcastic grin.
    “You people...” he glared at me as he walked
away.
    You people?
    “Excuse me?” I said, following after him.
    “Are you high?” He tossed over his shoulder,
jabbing the elevator button repeatedly. “I can’t help you.”
    I was working up a perfectly good zinging
reply to his insult when the elevator pinged. I opened my mouth,
closed it, and opened it again, emitting a silent “oh”.
    Beyond the ignoramus, inside the elevator,
leaning his hip casually on the hand rail, was Angel Face. A
knowing smile played on his lips. He nodded to the guy as they
switched places. The bad feeling was back. My stomach pitched and
churned. I licked my lips, quickly thinking of an escape.
    “We have to stop meeting like this,” he said,
laughing lightly. He didn’t seem surprised to see me. Those
beautiful light blue eyes contemplated me carefully. “Still not
talking to me?”
    I shrugged. He wasn’t doing anything
threatening, but I had lots of experience with dangerous men. Angel
Face might look innocent, but I sensed the tight control of his
menace.
    “I knew you’d come back here.” He crossed his
arms over his chest, proud of himself. I could tell he wasn’t in
any hurry to leave. I’m sure he already knew what I’d only just
realized. He was blocking the only way out. “Did you find what you
were looking for?”
    I nodded, lying. He chuckled again. It was a
warm, rich, inviting sound.
    “Cherry, you should never lie to a liar.” He
stepped toward me. I took two steps back. Briefly glancing at the
stairwell door beside the elevator, I wondered if I could make it
past him.
    “You could try it,” he answered my silent
question. I hated the way he always seemed to know what I was
thinking. “Or,” he drew out the word in a friendly tone, “We could
go grab something to eat and talk.”
    The mention of food was very enticing. My
mind fast forwarded through a million different orders. He saw the
weakness in my expression and offered me another friendly smile. I
hesitated telling him to go screw himself as my stomach, painfully
empty, rumbled.
    I had a better chance of escape if I played
it cool now. I was sure I could outmaneuver him once we were
outside. I gave him a measured nod, anxiously licking my lips. He
kept his eyes on me as he stepped back, reached behind himself, and
pressed the button. The doors opened up, but I didn’t move. Angel
Face braced an arm across the door and waved the other, inviting me
in.
    “Your chariot awaits...”
    * * * *
    The sky was fading fast as we exited the
lobby. Shadows grew around the now empty desk, where the gum chewer
had been. Angel Face clamped a hand around my bicep. He had a solid
grip on me, but not hurting. I jerked my arm once, to test him, but
he held tight.
    “Play nice Cherry and this will all be
explained to your satisfaction. I won’t hurt you. I promise.” He
fixed those phantom eyes on me, waiting for my decision. I can’t
explain why I suddenly decided to trust him. Maybe I was just tired
of always distrusting everyone. Maybe I was just plain tired. But
it might have more to do with the holstered gun I felt poking me
from under his