Page 71 of Boxed In

He was trying to get the tape, not his flesh, but because he couldn’t see what he was doing, he cut his wrist and yelped at the jolt of pain.

Gritting his teeth, he changed the angle of his hands and kept working, because that was his only option. It was either hurt himself or get hurt a lot worse by the bad guys.

When he’d cut through the tape, he gave a sigh of relief. Working quickly now, he pulled the gag from his mouth and wanted to scream with relief. But he knew enough to keep quiet.

The car stopped and he tensed as he listened to traffic noises. As the vehicle jerked forward again, he figured they had only paused for a traffic light. Finally the vehicle pulled to a stop, and the engine shut off. He could hear the men in front talking in some language he couldn’t understand.

When the door opened, he froze, praying that they weren’t coming for him. His luck held, and his heart leaped when he heard their footsteps receding up a sidewalk

Carl took a steadying breath and told himself to stay calm. This might be his only opportunity to escape, and he’d better not blow it.

But what if they were looking at the car. What if they saw him climb out?

Because staying here meant pain and probably death, he had to take the chance on escape. Popping the lid, he held the edge so he could ease it up slowly, then peer out.

When he saw only cars and shrubbery, he slithered out of the trunk and closed it again so they wouldn’t know he was gone.

Crouching beside one of the back tires, he peeked up, and his breath caught as he saw the men standing on the sidewalk in front of a house twenty yards away. They were talking to each other, thank the Lord, and not looking at the car.

Ducking low, he willed himself to steadiness, then ran into the traffic lane and across to the opposite sidewalk.

Turning the corner, he dove into some bushes, where he sat breathing hard and marveling that he’d really gotten away.

Or had he?

Afraid to move, he sat where he was, listening for the sound of his car engine and praying that the thugs didn’t check the trunk.

When the car pulled away, he felt like he’d been born again.

What should he do with that second chance at life?

He couldn’t go home and stay there. They’d come looking for him. But maybe he could still find Olivia and Luke. They’d stolen his property, and he wanted it back. Only this time he was going to be a lot more careful. Starting with arming himself.

oOo

Luke and Olivia stayed in the warm, wet cave for a few hours. Olivia lay peacefully in Luke’s arms, but his mind was racing, trying to make plans for what might happen when they got back to her century.

Finally, it was impossible to hide the tension tightening his muscles.

“You’re thinking we have to go back. And you’re worried about it,” she said.

He slicked his damp hair back from his forehead. “Yes.”

He got up and found woven pieces of fabric folded on a rock shelf. Towels.

First he draped a towel over Olivia’s shoulders. He used another on her damp hair, then combed his fingers through the silky strands.

“When the warrior first came to you, he wanted to put me in my place,” she said in a soft voice as she moved her cheek against his middle.

“Yes.”

“How does he feel now?”

“He . . .” Luke stopped and listened to the voice inside his head. “He understands that things have changed between men and women over the centuries. He understands that the two sexes are more equal in our world.”

“Nice of him.”

“He’s different,” Luke said in a low voice.

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