Page 66 of Found By Him

“Um, sir? Where are you taking me?” I ask, voice high-pitched and panicked.

My eyes find the driver. I can only see his profile. An unsettling grin slips onto his face.

“You’ll see soon enough, sweetheart.”

That’s enough to drop my stomach to my feet.

This cannot be good. I need a plan. Because there’s no way we’re going to the jail.

It’s bad when jail would be preferable to wherever we’re headed.

As nonchalantly as I can, I start looking for…something. Anything that might help me get away. I glance around the back seat and then out the window. We’re heading farther into the country. Dizziness starts swimming in my head. The farther we get away from people, the harder saving myself is going to be. Even if I get away, my hands are handcuffed behind my back. I’ve never tried, but I feel like running fast enough to evade anyone will be nearly impossible like this. Not to mention in flip-flops.

My body sways as we turn into the parking lot of anearly abandoned strip mall. There are two cars at the far end and one parked on the opposite side. We’re driving toward the singular vehicle, and my heart gallops, knowing nothing good is about to happen. I can see someone in the driver’s seat, but I can’t make out anything distinguishing past the slightly tinted windows.

We stop next to the car. I shift in the seat, trying to slow my breathing to keep the terror from becoming uncontrollable. I need to stay as focused as possible. A low whimper pulls from my lungs when I hear the unmistakable sound of a round being chambered as the police officer turns in his seat.

“Here’s how this is going to go. You’re going to get out of this car and not make a fucking scene. And you’re going to walk over to that car.” He waves the gun in the direction of the car next to us. “You’re going to get in the trunk, or I’m going to shoot you. It’ll hurt like hell, but it won’t be to kill. I’ll leave that to my friend over there.”

My chest heaves.

“Understood?”

All I can manage is a shaky nod.

He holds up his gun and turns it over, as if admiring it. “And don’t worry, this isn’t my department-issued firearm, so it can never be traced back to me.”

“Oh, goody,” I mumble sarcastically.

He glares at me before pushing his door open and stepping out. Pulling me out of the car on my unsteady legs, he drags me toward the trunk that pops open as we approach. I glance at the cars on the other side of the parking lot, wishing there was a way to get out of this. Maybe I could scream and get someone’s attention…

“They aren’t going to help you.” His exhale makes the hair next to my ear flutter as his body heat seeps into myback. “No one is going to help you. Now get your ass in the trunk.”

I climb in gingerly. Shifting my head so I can memorize his face, I lie on my side, just in case I manage to get out of this situation. Despair fills me when his sunglasses are still in place and disguise a lot of his features. He looks young, though. Maybe a little older than Tyler.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulls something out of his back pocket.

“No!” I twist my face from side to side to avoid the cloth in his hand. I’ve seen enough movies to know what that means.

“You dumb bitch. Stop fucking moving.” His other hand grabs my hair, making me whimper as he holds my head still. Pain radiates through my scalp. As the cloth is pressed against my nose and mouth, I hold my breath. Tears drip down the side of my face into my hair as my lungs burn. Hopelessness takes over my fight, my body giving up on me. His face contorts into a menacing look as my lungs demand air, and I suck in big gulps of poison.

Until nothing.

35

Jack

Nate and I step into the hallway. The hospital door clicks closed behind us. Matt is doing well. He’s awake and has been up and walking around. He was hit in the shoulder, but the surgery went well. And with some aggressive physical therapy, he’ll be as good as new in no time. Nate and I assured him and his wife that all his medical bills and salary would be paid until he could come back to work.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have much more information than Tyler did, besides a vague description. He was too busy saving Tyler to get a better look. The detectives are pulling any security camera footage from businesses in the area, including the venue, but so far, there hasn’t been anything helpful found.

I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.

Ian joins, handing coffees to each of us.

“So what is next?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t think there’s anything else we can do today. I want to go check on Tyler. But you both can head out. I’ll be in the office soon after I pick up Gisella.”

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