The New Safe House

Kira heard Mario’s shout but did not dare to turn her head. ‘Pick up, pick up, pick up.’ She prayed, her hands shaking. Her heart sank when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Without knowing if the call got through, she shouted into the receiver, ‘Austyn, come and save me! I’m at—’ The receiver was yanked away from her and slammed back into place. Kira looked up and froze when she saw Gideon’s unsmiling face. His eyes burned bright with rage. Kira’s body tensed. Gideon stared at her. Then his lips curved up into a slow, dangerous smile. ‘You’ve been a naughty girl. What did you tell Mario to get him to bring you out?’ Kira said nothing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mario standing next to Martin. The boy had his head bowed. She’d probably just cost him his job, Kira thought. And she’d landed herself in hot soup as well. Gideon bent down and picked her up. ‘You’ve wasted that opportunity. Too bad. You are not going to get another one.’ Tears welled up in her eyes. Gideon carried h