Page 104 of His Old Lady

Cal stepped into the kitchen. Once he was clear of the door, she hurried around him, putting herself between him and the back door.

The slight exertion stole her breath. She wasn't going to be able to run with the tape on her, but she had to give it a try. The longer it took, Curley would get farther and farther away from her. He could be headed back to Missoula already.

"Put the gun down." Cal raised his palms to her. "I'll take the tape off you, and we can talk."

She shook her head. He wasn't getting another chance to touch her.

Taking a step back, she glanced at the back door. Positive Cal had locked it when he brought her here, she tried to remember if it required a key or if there was a lever. When she'd worked here, there was always someone here who'd opened up the building before she'd arrived.

"Let's start over, Celia." Cal's forehead wrinkled, making his face flush. "I'll get down on my knees and beg you."

He held on to the counter and lowered himself to the floor. Spotting her moment, she rushed to the back door, trying the handle, turning the lever, pushing against the metal surface.

No. No. No. The strength left her, and she turned to find another way out when an explosion of broken glass came from the other side of the building. Startled, she froze.

Cal grabbed her legs. She tumbled to the floor. The back of her head hit a box. Groaning, she tried to sit up, and Cal crawled over the top half of her body. Bucking against his heavier weight, she struggled to get away.

He pulled her arm, trying to gain possession of the pistol. A burst of energy filled her, and she strained.

Her finger pulled back the trigger.

Bang.

Cal fell on top of her. Bright lights filled her dark vision. She pushed against his large, lax body. Worming her way out from under him, she spotted the blood where his face should be.

Her ears rang, deafening her to everything. She dropped her gaze to Cal's upper body. There was no movement.

The tape across her mouth vibrated. She dropped the weapon and clawed at the tape with both hands. Needing to get away, she cried out as her fingernails bent backward, barring her progress.

Hands scooped her under the armpits. Flaying her bond arms, a scream filled her head as her body was lifted.

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