Page 110 of Caught in the Crossfire

Her breath caught. A tree grew near the back of the lodge. Close enough to jump and catch hold of a limb?

“Nic, I hear one of the men who grabbed us,” Dawn said, voice low.

Nicole hurried back to the bed and scooted across the surface. She’d just stretched out on her side and pressed her back against Dawn to hide the knife when the door opened and Patton came in, gaze locking on Dawn.

He smiled. “Miss me?”

“Like a bad rash.”

The smile faded. He crouched in front of her and wrapped his meaty hand around the back of Dawn’s neck. Patton drew her forward until her lips were a fraction of an inch from his.

“Leave her alone,” Nicole snapped.

“Shut up.”

“And if I don’t?”

An ugly smile curved his mouth. “All I have to do is tell Fisher you backtalked me. He’ll do the rest. You won’t be sassing anyone after he’s finished with you. No wonder you chose a wuss like Kincaid. You can run roughshod over him.”

Patton’s gaze shifted to Dawn. “Your boyfriend is no match for me.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “I want a taste.”

Dawn jerked against his hold. Patton grinned at her ineffectual retreat and ground his mouth against hers.

“Leave her alone,” Nicole shouted.

“What’s going on up there?” Fisher yelled up the stairs. “Patton, get down here. We have work to do.”

Patton broke away from Dawn, licked his lips, and strode from the room. The door slammed behind him.

“Are you okay?” Nicole asked.

“I will be after a shower and a strong antiseptic mouthwash. Move away so I can work more on the zip tie. I almost have it.”

Nicole edged to the bottom of the bed and sat up again. She glanced at Dawn’s hands and winced. “You’re closer, but you cut yourself.”

“Believe me, I know. What if Linc and Mase can’t find us?”

“They will.”

“Come on, Nic. Be realistic. No one noticed Patton and Fisher take us, and we drove back roads until we were close to Cherry Hill.”

“We’ll find a way to escape, with or without Mason and Linc.”

“What good will that do? We’re in the middle of nowhere without our cell phones. Aside from the small problem of an army of motorcycle riders who look as though they eat nails for breakfast, we don’t know which direction to go for help. Add to that, it’s dark outside.”

“Wow. You’re not pessimistic or anything, are you?”

“Realistic,” she corrected. “The odds are stacked against us. I don’t see how we can escape these men.”

“We’ll figure it out one step at a time.”

“Better be fast steps,” her friend muttered. “I don’t think Fisher will be able to rein in Patton much longer.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “Thanks for what you did.”

“I didn’t know what else to do except attract Fisher’s attention.”

“Your tactic worked.” She glanced at Nicole. “What did you see outside the bathroom window?”

“A big, sturdy tree that looks close enough to jump to from the bathroom.”

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