Page 96 of Tempted

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jasmine thought she’d piss herself when someone clamped their hand over her mouth. What the hell? She was temporarily paralyzed with fright but then she remembered Star and anger took over. Pregnant or not, she wasn’t going anywhere without a fight. With all her might, she reared her elbow backward and connected with her assailant’s ribs.

She was satisfied to hear a loud, “Umph!”

Her attacker loosened his grip on her, giving Jasmine the opportunity to slip out of his grasp. She was on the verge of hitting him with her purse when she saw who it was?

“Danny? What in the world is wrong with you, scaring me half to death like this?”

Danny was doubled over holding on to his ribs. “I’m sorry but…” He sounded as if he was desperately gasping for air. “I did it more for dramatic affect.”

“Are you crazy? Did you want me to go into labor right here on the sidewalk with my child watching?”

“Hey, have a little care. It’s not like I’ve ever kidnapped anyone before.”

Now Jasmine was really confused. What the hell was going on? And where was Jason? Star clutched Jasmine’s hand in a vice. She wasn’t too pleased that he’d frightened her daughter. “You need to explain what’s going on. And where is Jason?”

“Jasmine, I’m sorry for scaring you but I thought if I asked, you wouldn’t come with me,” Danny explained.

“Where’s Jason?” she asked for the third time.

“He’s probably on his way home.” Danny looked slightly uncomfortable.

Jasmine’s mouth fell open. “Are you freakin’ kidding me? And where am I expected to go with you? And why?”

“If you’d come with me, all will be explained.” Danny took her elbow in a gentle grip but Jasmine yanked out of the hold.

“No. You’ll explain now!”

Danny racked his fingers through his hair. “Jasmine, please have a care. I’m doing a favor for the boss and you know and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to be remembered when it’s time to name a new partner.”

Jasmine narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. “Do you mean to tell me Victor put you up to this?”

Danny shook her head. “Not at all. I’m doing this as a favor to Victor. Would you please come with me? It’s getting a little chilly and Star is starting to shiver. You need to be off your feet at the very least.” If Victor put his poor associate up to this then he was going to get a piece of her mind.

“Where is Victor now?”

“He’s waiting for you. It’s really rather urgent that you see him,” Danny insisted.

Her heart stopped. Maybe there was a legitimate reason for this. Why else would Danny and Jason be involved? But if it was about her case, why couldn’t he have come to her instead of being dramatic. “Does this have anything to do with my case? I thought the judge overturned the ruling. That hasn’t changed has it?”

“No, but I promise everything will be answered when we get to our destination,” Danny practically pleaded.

If this man people hadn’t done so much for her, Jasmine would have refused. Besides, she understood this was his way of impressing their boss. Victor had a lot of explaining to do. With great reluctance, she followed the attorney to a dark sedan. Sliding into the backseat with Star, Jasmine was seething on the inside. What the hell was Victor up to? And what had he said to Jason to get him involved in this hair-brained scheme.

After sitting silently in the backseat seething, and giving one word response inquiries to Danny’s attempts at conversation, Jasmine noticed they’d been driving for a while. Where the hell were they taking her? Star had long since fallen asleep, resting her head in Jasmine’s lap.

As Jasmine absently stroked her daughter’s hair she asked the question plaguing her mind. “Where are we going? I’ve never been this far South.” They’d long since left the DC Metro area and were heading for parts of Virginia unknown.

Danny spared her a quick glance over his shoulder, briefly taking his gaze off the road. “You’ll find out soon enough. We should be there in another fifteen minutes. Relax.”

Jasmine wanted to brain him. If her daughter wasn’t in her lap, she just might have. “Relax? You have commandeered me and my daughter and have taken me to God knows where and you tell me to relax? Buddy, I’m pregnant and my hormones are out of whack and I’m not afraid to beat the hell out of you,” she threatened meaning every word.

Danny turned briefly offering a conciliatory smile. “If you’d please just bear withme we’ll be there shortly. I promise. If we’re not there in fifteen minutes, I’ll tell you everything.”

Jasmine narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t inclined to be so generous but what was fifteen more minutes? “Not a second more.”

Jasmine sat back in her seat and eyed the clock on the dashboard. After a few minutes she shifted her weight feeling an uncomfortable pressure in her belly. The baby was kicking like crazy and she was a little tired. Taking a deep breath she leaned back and closed her eyes.

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