CHAPTER 7
FREDERICK'S RIVAL
The greatest threat inside the room wasn't the fire consuming the curtains, but the man standing by the kitchen counter, consumed by a blind rage.
"Kevin… you'd better leave," Zayda whispered as she looked at her ex-husband's face.
"I'm not leaving you alone with this madman," Kevin assured her.
Frederick watched them in silence while pulling a pearl-handled pocket knife from his coat pocket. He pressed the safety catch with his thumb, and the metallic blade deployed with a lethal click.
"You're coming back with me, Zayda, or this wretch won't leave this room alive," Frederick declared.
"Frederick, don't do something crazy! Stop, please!" Zayda shouted, trying to step between them, but Kevin held her firmly behind his back, shielding her with his
