27. Raven

27

RAVEN

"Great work," another guy said as he passed.

I nodded, glad that it was over. While I didn't mind putting on a show, I found it hilarious that everyone here, aside from Zoe, thought it was all an amazing performance. Only she knew that Yuri was actually a Russian mobster. It worked perfectly for her film, which was why she so willingly let us use her set—with the agreement that we would perform in two more scenes for her.

I had no idea where those scenes would fit in, but apparently, it was perfectly normal to shoot out of order. And though I hadn't seen an actual script, I wasn't exactly thrilled to know the part I would be playing. What had this woman done in the film to get herself killed?

"They're not going to credit me in the role, are they?" I asked Red as I walked over to the refreshments table. Grabbing a bottle, I chugged the whole thing. After being stuffed in a car and dragged onto the set, I was dying of thirst. It was only by sheer luck that Ivan was able to distract Yuri long enough for FNG to fit me with a fake hand and bag of blood that would dribble out from underneath my jacket. At the last minute, he fit me with a bulletproof vest, something I was very thankful for at the moment.

Ivan's plan only included roughing me up and a missing hand. Killing me hadn't been in the cards, but Yuri had a different idea in mind. While I was bruised up, at least I wasn't six feet under or swimming with the fishes.

Red smirked as he looked up from his script. "Not if you don't want them to."

"We were lucky her set was so close to us. That had to be sheer luck."

"Or divine intervention."

"I can't believe your wife likes doing this stuff."

"It wasn't her idea. She just wanted to write scripts. Somehow, it morphed into us making films for her. Even with kids at home, she'd rather be doing this than being a housewife."

"Can you blame her? All those snotty noses and the boredom of sitting around the house all day? I can't imagine it."

"And stealing is so much better?" he laughed.

"Well, it was definitely more exciting. Although, this job took it a little far."

"Almost being burned to death will have that effect on most people."

I fiddled with my bottle, waiting in uncomfortable silence next to a man I barely knew. My alternative was to face the music with Nicholas, which wasn't something I was looking forward to.

"You know, he's going to be even more pissed if you stay over here talking to me."

"Yes, but he can't kill me if I'm standing by you."

"Wanna bet?"

"You wouldn't let him kill me."

"No, but he's not looking to kill you. Maybe maim you in the bedroom," he chuckled. "Good luck with that."

"Thanks for the chivalry," I shouted as he walked away.

He held up a thumb. Yeah, like that really made me feel better. Turning to face my executioner, I took a deep breath and decided there was no time like the present. Well, I would take any other time, but running from him would only make the situation worse, as I already knew.

I approached with great caution, smiling hesitantly. "So…what did you think of my performance?"

Still tied up in the chair, he growled at me, his eyes turning almost feral.

"Not a fan, I see." I nodded just to have something to do. I couldn't look at him, not when he so clearly wanted my head on a platter. "You were great. I mean, that whole torn-up look on your face was…top notch. I almost believed you actually cared," I joked.

It was the wrong thing to do. He tried to leap from his chair, but couldn't move with the restraints holding him down.

"Now, just think about this a moment. You're not really angry with me," I tried. "What you're really upset about is that…that…you couldn't get to me."

"You think so, huh?" he snarled.

"Yes," I said shakily. "It was a shock to see me in that chair when you woke up. But given some time, you'll realize that I had to go along with the plan. It was the only way to ensure my survival."

"And you didn't think I could help you?"

"I—" I fumbled through my thoughts, trying to find the right words, but they wouldn't come. I focused on his shirt. The neck was pulled to the side from all his struggling. I reached forward without thought and pulled his T-shirt straight.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he growled.

"Your shirt was crooked," I informed him. "And…and I needed to straighten it."

"You left me in the dark," he said, his voice low and threatening. "You didn't even give me the opportunity to help you."

"It wasn't my choice. I was in the trunk of a car. I had to trust Ivan completely."

"You could have trusted me!"

"You were unconscious. How was I supposed to fill you in on any of this?"

His answering growl had me taking a step back. "Clearly, you're not in the right frame of mind to talk about this."

"Get back here," he snapped.

"I think you need some time to cool down."

"Raven," he snarled, "if you run, I won't stop until I find you."

I knew that. And maybe that's why I did what I did. He would come for me, and that sent shivers of excitement down my spine. I grabbed the keys sitting on a nearby table and took another step toward the door.

"You'll feel better about this whole thing once you clear your head."

"I'll feel better about this when I bend you over my knee!"

I smirked at him. "Promises, promises."

And then I took off toward the door. I passed Cash on the way and shouted, "I need two hours!"

He looked at me in confusion, but then a smile tilted his lips and he saluted as I rushed on. I had no idea whose keys I'd stolen, but I thanked them for being so careless. As I ran around the building, I spotted the cars all hidden in the trees and hit the key fob. Lights flashed at me and I ran toward them at breakneck speed before anyone could stop me.

I flung the door open and got in, slamming the door as I started the engine. As I reversed out of the spot, I saw Cash running out the door, yelling at me. I rolled down the window just enough to hear, "That's my car!"

I waved at him jauntily and hit the gas, tearing down the dirt road as I headed toward my last days of freedom. It wouldn't be long before Nicholas caught up, and then I'd have to pay for my sins.