Page 83 of Claimed by an Alien Warrior

“I’m going to need you to come with me, Miss Weston,” the cop said, taking a step back. Zoey noticed that his right hand had settled on his gun again. “I’m sure we’ll be able to get all of this sorted out.”

“Am…am I being arrested?” she asked, the weight of her dread growing.

“I’m sure we’d both rather it not come to that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Please step out of the vehicle, ma’am.”

“If I haven’t committed a crime, I’d like to leave. I’ll take a ticket for the expired tags.”

“I won’t ask again,” he said firmly.

“I haven’t done anything!” Well, she had, but he didn’t know that! Her hands shook despite her crushing grip on the wheel.

The cop took another step back and thumbed the radio on his shoulder, dipping his chin down and to the side to speak into it. He requested backup.

“We need to leave,” Ren whispered from beside her.

“I know that!” she snapped at him, and immediately felt sorry for doing so. It wasn’t Ren’s fault.

“Now.”

“We’re kinda stuck, don’t you think?”

She didn’t realize until it was too late that it must’ve looked to the cop like she was having an argument with her invisible friend in the passenger seat.

The cop drew his gun. Though he didn’t point it directly at her, Zoey’s heart stuttered before pounding so hard and fast that there might as well have been a herd of wild horses galloping through her chest. She lifted her hands, struggling to breathe, but her tight chest and constricted throat made it hard.

“Step out of the vehicle. Now.” If there’d been any friendliness or civility in the cop’s voice earlier, it was gone now, replaced by a hard edge.

Fear soured her stomach as she lowered a hand to the handle and opened her door. Once it was opened wide, she lifted her hand again and slid down until her feet touched the ground. It was only then she noticed the small crowd that had gathered fifty or so feet away, most of them bundled in winter gear with bright hats and scarves.

“Move to the front of the vehicle and place your hands on the hood,” the cop commanded.

She obeyed, wishing that she’d put on the pair of gloves she’d taken from the cabin. Her breath came out in puffy clouds as the sound of boots on pavement signaled the cop’s cautious approach.

This was it. She’d hoped for more time with Ren before they separated, but at least they’d come to know each other in what little time they’d shared. Tears brimmed in her eyes, blurring her vision.

The truck rocked as though a great weight were moving inside. The cop muttered something in confusion as the shocks squeaked.

A startled gasp erupted from the onlookers.

“What the fuck?” the cop said in awe.

Zoey turned her head to see Rendash, fully visible, standing just outside the truck. He reached up and pulled off the sunglasses, opening all his eyes and directing them at the cop. She’d never seen so much fury in his expression.

“On the ground!” The cop shouted.

Zoey shifted to see the cop’s gun aimed at Ren. Something cold wrapped around her heart and squeezed.

Why didn’t he just go? Why is he risking himself now?

“No!” she shouted, stepping toward Rendash.

The cop swung his arms, directing his pistol at her.

Control, Rendash reminded himself.

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