Read Online 1978 - Consider Yourself Dead by James Hadley Chase - Free Book Online Page A

at his side. A beauty, he thought, what a beauty! He lay back on the pillow and stretched his long legs, then he thought of Silk. He felt vicious hatred run through him. If it hadn’t been for that crazy bet, he would be home and dry, but now he would be leaving as soon as Marvin took over the guard duty. He would be leaving this sweet job, and worst still, leaving this little nympho who had given herself to him with abandoned savageness. His right shoulder was still bleeding slightly where she had bitten him. His loins ached. He felt as if he had been fed through a rock crusher.
    He turned on his side and regarded the girl, lit by the moonlight. As he was admiring her, her eyes opened, and she stretched like a sleek, beautiful cat.
    Then it was her turn to regard him. What a man! she thought, and her mind became busy to find the solution as to how they could have many more nights like this. That sonofabitch Amando! This was the first time he had left the villa - after nearly four months! When would he go again? She wanted and needed this hunk of male excitement, lying by her side, every night!
    ‘Hi,’ Frost said.
    She slid her arms around him and rolled over on top of him. She began to nibble at his lips, but Frost was drained.
    Marcia had practically demolished him, and now Gina’s fierce lovemaking had reduced him to nothing. Firmly, he pushed her away.
    ‘That’s it, baby,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to get back to work. This is hello and goodbye. Tomorrow, I’m quitting.’
    She stared at him, then sat up.
    ‘Quitting? What do you mean?’
    Frost swung his legs off the bed.
    ‘I’m throwing up this job.’ He stood up, flexing his muscles, then began to dress.
    Gina stared at him in dismay, regarding his lean brown body and his muscles.
    ‘Mike! What are you saying? Why are you leaving?’
    He zipped up his trousers, then sat on the bed.
    ‘I’m leaving because I’ve been taken for a sucker,’ then he went on to tell her about the shooting match and about Silk. ‘I now owe this jerk four thousand bucks,’ he concluded. ‘There’s no way I can pay him. So . . . I have to get out of town before he puts on the squeeze.’
    She caught hold of his hand.
    ‘You must be kidding, Mike! Four thousand? That’s nothing!’
    ‘That’s your thinking. To me, that kind of money is a lump. I’m getting out or else I’ll land up with a broken arm.’
    ‘A broken arm? What are you saying?’
    He gave her a wry grin.
    ‘Forget it, baby. This isn’t your scene. I’m quitting tomorrow.’ He stood up. ‘So long, baby, and thanks.’
    ‘Mike!’ Her voice was shrill, He paused at the door. ‘Wait!’
    She scrambled off the bed, ran to a big closet, jerked open the door and fumbled in a drawer, then she swung around and came to him, smiling.
    ‘Here, take it! It’s worth at least twenty thousand. My fink of a father gave it to me for my birthday,’ and she dropped a diamond and emerald ring into his hand. ‘Hock it, Mike. Pay off this jerk. I couldn’t care less about the ring.
    Frost stared at the ring, hesitated, then grinned. Why not? Here was the solution to get Silk off his back and to keep this job. What did a ring like this mean to this corrupt, little nympho?
    ‘You really mean you want to bail me out, baby?’ he said, dropping the ring into his pocket.
    ‘I want you to stay here,’ she said breathlessly, and put her arms around his neck, thrusting her body against his. ‘I want many more nights.’
    ‘Okay.’ Frost slid his hands down her naked back and pulled her closer. ‘I’ll fix it.’ Then pushing her away, he left the room and ran silently down the stairs and into the guardroom.
    He came to an abrupt standstill as he saw Suka sitting in the armchair, facing the monitors. Hearing him, Suka got to his feet, his face expressionless, and moved by Frost.
    ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Frost demanded.
    ‘Guarding,’ Suka said, and went out of the room.
    Frost stared after him,