Jealous Storm by Jack Stroke (book recommendations .txt) 📕

eyes. Not to make it too obvious they were darting around, looking for a way out. There wasn’t one. Or at least, not one Ralph wasn’t blocking.

“And here I thought no one had seen me,” she said.

“Pretty dumb, jumping off stage in front of a thousand people if you don’t want to be seen.”

“Fair point.”

“The red dress was a good disguise. Clever distraction. I figured you must be up to something else. Then I watched you sneak back in as the waitress.”

“I’m impressed, Ralph. I must admit I didn’t realise you were that clever.”

He chuckled. “Not really clever. I’ve been waiting for you, ever since that night in the hotel with Rocky. Waiting, waiting. I knew you would come back one day. And here we are.”

Ralph removed his jacket, laying it carefully over one of the chairs. Ready for business.

“How is Rocky?”

“Good. He’s gonna be disappointed. He wanted to meet you again too. Wanted to bite your face off.”

“Poor Rocky.”

“He still might get to. He would prefer if you’re alive but he won’t mind either way. So, what are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I was after that rugby jersey of Donk or Cronk or whatever his name was. That’s why I stole it.”

“You’re a funny woman. Doesn’t matter though. We’ll figure it out.”

He made his way towards Amber, flexing and bulging as he approached. Macho nonsense yet it worked. He was certainly intimidating.

“Hey, Ralphy-boy, this isn’t a good idea…”

“Why not? You know, you got me loads of trouble with Gomez. He almost fired me.”

“Sorry about that.”

“I bet you are.”

Ralph seized the boardroom table and flipped it, sending the thing crashing up against the wall. It was a pretty impressive show of strength and removed the only barrier between the two of them.

“The only reason he didn’t get rid of me was you.”

“Oh yeah? How’s that?”

“I promised him you’d be back. Told him I’d be ready and waiting. Whenever it was you showed your face, I’d get you. I’ve been dreaming of this, every day. When I would see you again.”

He closed in slowly. Amber backed up.

“So tell me this. Why isn’t killing you a good idea?”

“Because I’m an assassin.”

“Are you?”

“Yes. If you’re not careful, I’m going to have to kill you, Ralph.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

He twisted his neck, producing a disarming crack.

Amber glanced about. If only she had her trusty Sig. There was nothing to use as a weapon. She could roll one of the boardroom chairs at Ralph. Somehow she didn’t imagine that would do much good. She waited until he was almost upon her before ducking and bolting. No dice. Even if she didn’t have the sore ankle, it’s doubtful she would have had much luck. He anticipated the move, catching her with ease.

With a violent swing, Ralph pulled Amber close, one hand crushing her neck.

“Some assassin,” he said, letting out an inane cackle and choke slamming her into the window. The glass behind her buckled. Pretty flimsy glass. Couldn’t be up to code, she decided, which wasn’t all that helpful to her situation.

Ralph wasn’t mucking about. Amber’s toes scrambled, unable to gain any purchase on the floor. He squeezed the life out of her with one of his big meat-hook hands. She kicked and swung her arms around, achieving nothing. When that didn’t work, she pulled at his hand. That didn’t work either. This wasn’t good.

“Come on then, assassin. You gonna kill me or what?” He was having far too much fun.

Large black circles invaded Amber’s vision. She was aware of something that sounded like a drowning frog, only to realise the sound was coming out of her. It mixed with Ralph’s inane cackling, curdling in her ears.

Any second now. Any second now she was going to pass out. Then die.

6

Amber felt the life drain out of her. If Ralph hadn’t said anything, she might have been gone. The words gave her something to focus on.

“What?” she croaked.

“I said, you got lucky last time. Not gonna happen again.”

There had to be a weak point. Ralph was holding her too far for her to reach his crotch. Clawing his eyes would have insufficient effect. Her consciousness was slipping away fast. She had to do something.

The black circles reappeared, mind fading. Hand. His hand. She had to get his hand off her neck. Except his hand was too strong. She couldn’t remove it, but maybe… she didn’t have to remove his hand… she just had to…

With one last act she managed to grab his thumb. With both hands and all her might, she wrenched it down.

Amber lost consciousness. Fortunately, it must have only for a second or two. She found herself in a pile on the floor. Ralph had backed up a step, cradling his thumb. He attempted to squeeze the pain out his eyes.

“My thumb… What… what did you do…”

He attempted to focus through watery eyes, unable to draw his attention away from his injured digit.

“What… what did you do?”

“Relax,” Amber said, stroking her neck. “Just a dislocated thumb. They can be pretty painful though, yeah?”

Tears ran down the big boy’s face.

Amber pushed her way to her feet, gasping for air. Standing defiant. She was no good to anyone on the floor. Ralph let fly with a long list of expletives.

“Oh, grow up, you big baby. You’re lucky it’s just your thumb. It’ll be worse in a minute.”

“I’m gonna kill you.”

Amber adopting a fight stance. “Come on then.”

Drawing from a deep well, fury won over the pain. Ralph charged Amber, hands outstretched, determined to finish the job.

She held her ground, appearing ready to fight. At the last second she dropped like a stone, avoiding his outstretched arms. All of Ralph’s momentum was moving forward. His legs struck Amber and he tripped forward, smacking into the window with no chance to stop himself. The under-code glass shattered, and he crashed right through it.

Ralph screamed as he fell, landing on the roof above the building’s entrance. The fall did nothing good for his neck or his head.

Amber