Kade (NSC Industries) (2 page)

I swept my eyes around the walls, desperately looking for
a door to escape through before I humiliated myself and tossed up all over the
dance floor like a pubescent teen.

Big guy narrowed his eyes on the two clowns who had been
arguing as they now rolled around on the floor. He moved swiftly across the room,
his empty post revealing a door. Perfect! Even if it was the fucking broom
closet, I could spew up in privacy.

I dived through it, one hand covering my mouth as my eyes
watered with the fumes of the rising alcohol and I groaned loudly when I
appeared to be in another room with the same lavish furniture. Although this replica
area was eerily unoccupied it still made my heart sink when I knew I couldn’t
cough up in here.

“Fuck!” I hissed as I frantically scanned the room
looking for the little plaque that displayed a male figure. “Fuck! Do they not
believe in bogs?”

I scrambled through another door and fought back the urge
to scream when I emerged into a long corridor. Where the hell were the toilets?

I could hear voices down the hallway and I made my way
towards them to ask directions or at least ask if they could provide a bucket
but my footing stalled as the voices became louder and fiercer, their tones becoming
aggressive and slightly sinister as one specific male voice laughed with cold
cruelty causing the hairs on the back of my neck to vibrate.

“You really thought that you could fuck my daughter and I
wouldn’t find out?”

“I…” The terrified stutter trickled ice through my veins
with its unpolluted fear. Whoever was in trouble was
in
trouble
and I stilled outside the slightly ajar door, hoping to – fuck, I don’t know
what I was hoping for but I suddenly couldn’t move when I heard a loud crack
before the guy cried out in pain.

“You disrespect me Alex, and that in itself screams of
your insult.”

The poor guy whimpered with a faint high pitched gurgle
and my eyes widened when he let out a loud grunt after a heavy thud rocked the
floor under my feet.

“Please… Gr… Mr Baxter, please, it was Elizabeth, she…”

I could feel the temperature instantly drop around me,
the waves of fury carried in the tiny dust particles hovering around me,
seeping into my pores with the potency of the thunderous silence and triggering
a hot shiver. Even I wanted to slap the fucking goon. Who the hell begged for
their lives by casting the blame on the daughter of the man threatening to beat
you to a pulp? What a twat and I shook my head as I released a small chuckle.

The chuckle morphed into a small whimper and erupted from
my mouth with some vomit as it trickled down my body, sliding fluidly over my clean
blue shirt and down the crease of my trousers, pooling on the toe of my stupid
shiny shoes when the gunshot shook the air around me and I lurched forward with
the shock.

Holy fuck! Had they shot him just cos’ he’d fucked
someone’s daughter?

“Fucking cunt. Get rid of him, he makes me wanna slice
his throat and I don’t need the fucking mess to be honest.” The blasé way it
was said flicked a sense of dread through my system as my whole body stiffened
in terror.

Shit they were coming out!

I dived through another door opposite and as quietly as I
could, pulled it closed at the same time as I pushed a hand against it to
soften the sneck.  At last, a broom closet! “Always too fucking late, Kade.” I
whispered to myself as I rested my ear on the door and squinted as I listened
to what was happening.

“Yeah, I saw it; did you see that brunette’s tits?” One
guy laughed as the other guy then went into a discussion about some movie and
how he thought the violent scenes were too mechanical. “Well the twat won’t be
making any more
stiff
movies… get it?”

What the Fuck? Just… what the fuck? Oh my god, was the
guy they just shot Alex Ingot from the Hollywood blockbuster, Stiff?

I started to panic and wonder if I would get out of here
alive as I glanced around the tiny cupboard. There was a toolbox at my feet and
I rummaged through it, looking for anything I could use as a weapon in my bid
to get out of here alive – unlike the other poor guy and spotting a
screwdriver, I shoved it into the waistband of my trousers.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

I opened the door quietly and marginally before risking a
peek out. It seemed clear but my trembling knees made me well aware it might
actually not be.

The door squealed and I cringed, bracing myself for the
attack but nothing happened so I risked venturing a bit further. I shot looks
both ways before rushing down the corridor and burst through a door marked with
an exit sign that brought me out into a side alley.

“Shit!”
I gasped, panting rapidly as the cool
night air assaulted my terrorised lungs, the sudden drop in temperature causing
a wheeze in my chest as my body tried to battle against my anxiety, however I
couldn’t risk giving it a rest and I rushed awkwardly towards the main street,
the smooth soles of my pathetic shoes gliding along the frosty ground
perilously in my rush to flee.  

I slid on some ice in my desperation, making me stumble on
my knees, my hands breaking the contact for me and snapping my wrist painfully
as the screwdriver dug painfully into the flesh of my thigh. Coins, condoms and
my phone skittered across the gravel and I bit down on my lip to stop the roar
of both agony and frustration as it all disappeared under one of the industrial
bins. “Bollocks!”

Could this night get any fucking worse?

Of course it could!

I tensed when the door behind me opened and a huge hefty
guy emerged, his icy eyes as cold as the night as they zeroed in on me and an
evil smirk curled his lips.

Fuck! FUCK!

I scrambled up and lunged for the front of the club as
the thug behind me fired a bastard shot at me. “HOLY FUCK!” I cried out as
another bullet zipped right past my ear, searing an agonising tear through the
top part of it.

“Shit!” I grabbed at it, the pain causing my knees to
buckle but I made my legs drag me further.

It’s funny how your body suddenly becomes almost
superhuman when death laughs in your face and taunts you. I could almost hear
my brain ordering my muscles to grow some balls and get me the hell out of
there but whatever, because it worked as my legs powered extra harder and my
stomach steeled and hardened, driving a desire to live through me.

I cried out with fortitude as I pushed myself on, hauling
up what bit of extra energy I could muster and used it to allow me to live a
little bit longer. I propelled my body forward with resolve making it to the
roadside in front of the club as I heard a small curse behind me. I turned to
see him slip on some ice and slam into a lamppost, his knee cracking loudly on
impact and hurtling his gun across the other side of the alleyway. I toyed with
the idea of leaping after it for all of point two seconds before I turned back
round and scuttled into the nearest taxi.

“MOVE!” I barked which triggered a jolt of shock from the
driver who just stared wide eyed at me through the rear-view mirror. “Mate, if
you wanna live then you need to get our arses outta’ here like NOW!”

He nodded frantically as he rammed into gear and took off
like a whippet, the wheels screeching hotly on the freezing road as I looked up
at the night sky through the side window, the stars twinkling brightly in the
clear atmosphere. “Thank you” I said openly with no embarrassment at showing my
gratitude to an invisible being. “Maybe you do like me after all.”

My eyes flicked casually over the scene as I tapped my
nails against the crystal champagne flute in my hand as dreariness well and
truly set in.

The pomp and grandeur of these conceited people even made
my boredom, bored. A flamboyant false ladylike chuckle here and an arrogant
flashy laugh from some egotistical twat there and I was eager for suicide by
whichever means painful enough.

I scowled at the man in the corner of the room who
smirked before turning back to his companion for the night. Twat! He knew I
hated the up your arse niceties and fake pleasantries that were expected at
such puffed-up parties.

The music playing was some foreign classical shit as a
waitress in a tight fitted skirt and blouse tilted her silver tray towards me.
I declined with a small shake of my head but smiled when I felt the approach of
someone behind me.

“Now that exquisite beauty has arrived, we can finally
make this sombre excuse of a gathering into a party” a molten voice whispered
in my ear and I grinned widely as I turned. “Mademoiselle Beaumont, it is such
a privilege, thank you for illuminating my heart with such a beguiling smile.”

I quirked an eyebrow at his charm and leaned in to kiss his
warm leathery cheek, the scent of spice and port assaulting my nostrils and producing
a small pang of melancholy to tighten my heart as I moved across and replicated
a kiss on the opposite cheek, “Monsieur Moreau, you flatter me, sir.”

He smiled merrily, the roguish twinkle in his eye initiating
a small smirk to lift my lips, “Ah, non, my dear Grace, it is
you
whom flatters
an old man with such a bewitching kiss.”

I laughed loudly this time, shaking my head in humour but
he winked playfully and held out his elbow for me to take. “Come my dear, and
let me introduce you to some fine specimens.”

“Specimens of what exactly, Alain?” I asked sceptically
as I hooked my arm through his and allowed him to lead me into the terrifying
mass of stiffs.

He pursed his lips as he perused the room, his eyes
narrow yet perceptive as he inclined towards me and deliberated which man
deserved our attention, “Just… samplings, varieties of the male variety that
may flutter your delicate feathers a little.”

I shook my head and sighed, “Now, now, you know me better
than that, sir. I am not one of your projects, Alain and I am definitely no
little bird.”

He smiled playfully and I braced myself for his reply.
“Non, no, you are exceptionally far from a little flight of fancy, Grace. Yet,
maybe if you would allow a gentleman to occasionally ruffle your feathers you
may discover that you are more of a vibrant, passionate and utterly stunning
peacock. Your enchantment captivates each and every man in this room,
Mademoiselle Beaumont, yet you are amusingly unaware of this.”

I gave him a faint knock of my elbow making him laugh
loudly. All heads turned to us and suddenly my tight red cocktail dress seemed
more body-hugging and brash as I yearned for my customary jeans and boots.

“Potential risk, upper six o’clock.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth and turned in a circle,
surveying the area around me, “Come now Monsieur Moreau, can a lady not choose
a potential companion for herself?”

My eyes slowly travelled over the large room as I lowered
my chin and took a sip of my champagne. I caught the flicker of moving blackness
and the glint of silver when I upturned my glass and sipped the liquid as I
explored the banister on the upper level through the distorting crystal.

Fuck!

I spun round towards Alain and bumped into him purposely,
spilling the contents of my glass down the front of his expensive suit as I stealthily
shielded him. My eyes flicked to Liam before I started to wipe Alain down with
a napkin. “Oh, I’m so sorry Alain, forgive a clumsy girl.” I flushed before I dipped
my chin towards my pendant. “You look a
positively
awful
sight
.”

He smiled warmly and waved me off as Liam approached
hurriedly, “Mr Moreau let me help you get that cleaned up.”

Alain started to speak but Liam took no refusal as he
swept him across the room and through another door.

I casually placed my champagne glass on a nearby table as
I feigned a yawn and made my way to the stairwell.

Checking everything was in place as the door closed
behind me; I slipped off my heels and cleared the steps two at a time, praising
Mary for her foresight to alter my dress and give it a thigh high split up the
side.

I pulled my Beretta from inside my bodice, the familiar feel
of the pistol appeasing the urgent rush of blood through my narrowed veins as
soon as my fingers curled around the piece. I shivered with the adrenaline
spike as my skin touched the cold ribbed metal and I stilled beside the door,
the gun at my side and my hand on the door handle.

“Situ?”
Liam hissed in my ear and I pulled the
pendant to my mouth so I could remain almost silent.

“Top level, left hallway door.”

“Backup.”

“Negative.”

“Beaumont!”

I sighed and willed the man to shut up as I opened the
door a sliver and studied the silver plate on the rear of the door, checking
for any flash of movement. “I repeat, negative… sir!”

My eyes caught the sudden movement and I backed away,
leaving the door resting against the frame as I bent my knees slightly and
lifted the Beretta to stomach level.

I bit my lip and cursed under my breath as my arms were
hauled back and hooked into two strong biceps as my gun fell to the floor. How
the hell had I not heard him? My senses were off and I massacred my inner self
for my stupidity.

The door before me opened and Ivan grinned at me with
yellowing teeth.

Fuck! Liam would go ape-shit!

Ivan tutted mockingly as he took a step into me, his
piercing blue eyes laughing delightedly as his Russian accent broke up his
English. “Well, well, long time no see, Miss Beaumont.”

I smirked at him as I astutely stiffened my body faintly,
easing into a more comfortable position without alerting the goon behind me to
my new stance. “On the contrary Mr Blinov, I’ve been watching you for weeks. If
I’d have been aware you were missing me so significantly I would have come and
said hello.” I smiled sweetly as I twitched my thigh, shifting my garter
slightly further down my thigh as I marginally bent my knees more.