Deadly Games - Cate Noble [85]
From outside came the sounds of a helicopter— no, multiple helicopters—circling close.
The compound was under siege.
Maddy’s hopes soared. They were coming for her. Travis hadn’t let them forsake her.
Sunlee tugged Maddy’s forearm. “Come.”
They swept up the wide staircase as several more guards rushed down. The second-floor landing was deserted as they hurried toward the bedroom Maddy had been assigned.
Inside the room, Sunlee went to answer the ringing telephone. Maddy moved to the window and shoved the drapes aside, wanting to give her rescuers a clear glimpse of where she was being held.
But the three helicopters parked on the estate’s sprawling lawn were all painted flat black except for the crimson red three-headed dragon stenciled near the tail rotor.
These were Tran’s own helicopters and his heavily armed men scrambled to get inside two of them. Another group of men headed for the third chopper. In their midst was Minh Tran himself.
That Tran was leaving was a good sign, right?
Sunlee grabbed Maddy’s arm and dragged her away from the window.
“What is wrong?” Maddy hid her elation by pretending to be frightened. “Are we under attack?”
Sunlee made a dismissive clicking sound with her tongue. “Here? Never! One of Master Tran’s enemies raided a warehouse. They will be dealt with harshly.”
The news deflated Maddy so swiftly she stumbled.
This wasn’t about her! She wasn’t being rescued. No one was coming for her.Ever.
The thought of remaining Minh Tran’s prisoner was intolerable. But if she wanted to escape this situation, she’d have to take matters into her own hands.
Outside the helicopters lifted off, one at a time.
“Your master must have a powerful enemy. He took a lot of men with him.” Maddy shivered and put her hands protectively over her stomach. “Are we safe?”
“Jengho Vato is more stupid than powerful. Master Tran will destroy him this time.” Sunlee crossed the room and began to fold back the covers of the bed. “Do not worry. By the time you wake up, it will be over.” Clearly, Sunlee intended to sedate her again.
Maddy moved closer to the bed. “May I remove this outfit before I lie down?”
Sunlee nodded and turned away to withdraw a syringe.
It’s now or never. Maddy grabbed her from behind, slipping one hand over Sunlee’s mouth, while snatching the syringe with her other hand. Then she swept Sunlee’s legs out from under her, taking her to the ground.
Maddy had the advantage of surprise and size, outweighing Sunlee by twenty pounds. It helped that Sunlee had bought into the notion of Maddy as a frightened wimp.
But Sunlee’s strength wasn’t dependent on size. She struggled, nearly bucking Maddy off her back. Maddy held tight, using her teeth to uncap the syringe before jamming the needle into Sunlee’s neck.
Sunlee bit her hand and Maddy bit her own tongue to keep from howling with pain. Almost immediately, Sunlee’s struggles slowed.
“Fast acting, isn’t it?” Maddy whispered. “It took me down in less than a minute last night.”
She remained on top of Sunlee until the woman’s body went totally limp. Then Maddy sprang up and carefully peeked out the window. The grounds appeared deserted now, the house eerily quiet.
She moved to the opposite window, to survey the back of the house. There were a large vegetable garden and some small outbuildings. A chain-link fence separated Tran’s property from the jungle beyond. The jungle was her best bet for hiding.
After moving to the door, Maddy cracked it open and peered out. The hall was deserted but she knew it was unlikely Tran had left the place unguarded. He also had housekeeping staff, whom Sunlee had mentioned used the back staircase.
She slipped off her heels and carried them as she flew down the hall. Dress shoes weren’t the best choice for an escape, but they were all she had.
Maddy crept down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as she could. If she was caught—
I won’t be!
At the bottom landing were two doors. Ignoring the one that led to the kitchen, she unlocked the other and