Page 12 of Hidden Dane
His heart dragged to a stop. They were so close to getting her out of here and she ignored their work, passing Brady and Henry to stand next to him.
His friends hadn’t stopped her.
But he would. He had to. He placed his hand on her arm and said, “No! Em. Don’t.”
“Yes. Of course.” She reached for the clasp at her neck.
No. He threw himself on her and blocked her head while he ran toward the back door.
Ted’s man shot at them, but Henry jumped in front to block them.
Brady held the door as Uriel raced Emily out as he said, “Go! Fast.”
Two thugs were right behind them as the limo he’d hired that morning came forward into the small alley behind the main street. Henry must have ordered him to move before they escaped. Uriel shoved her inside as she said, “Dane…”
“Don’t stop. Just go, Em.” Ted wanted what he had more than Emily or her necklace. He slipped her the box and slammed the limo door behind her the second she stepped inside. He’d find another way to escape, so long as she was free.
The driver pressed the gas, but she rolled down her window and shouted, “Just give him the necklace, Dane, and get inside. Don’t do this.”
And then Ted would chase her, and she would be in constant danger. No. He tapped the limo so the driver would keep going. “You don’t understand.”
“No!” The limo sped off.
Dane stared at the retreating taillights. The small alley had once been cobblestones under the tar, and gray stones poked from the concrete. “Emily,” he whispered, “I care about you. More than I should.”
The door behind him opened. “So, how are we escaping?” Brady asked as he came beside him. The limo turned onto the main road.
Near the bank door, Henry kept his gun focused on Ted, who remained inside. He nodded at a security officer in the bank.
Once they caught up with Emily, everything would be fine.
Uriel pointed to the main street for Brady and Henry to run with him. Two thugs spilled out next, then Ted, his gun trained on Henry, who must be out of bullets, because he wasn’t firing his weapon. Uriel slowed down and turned.
He’d not get his friends killed over this. He lifted his chin and met the chilly, blue-eyed gaze of his nemesis. “Ted. There were no Irish Crown Jewels in the safe. Your information and what the CIA told me was wrong.”
“The trip isn’t totally wasted.” Ted put his gun down.
Henry lowered his hand gun, as did Ted’s two associates--they wore black trench coats like they were gangsters in the 1920s.
Uriel had a bad feeling in the face of Ted’s confidence. “You lost.”
“Did I?” Ted saluted him and strode forward, closing the gap between them. Less than a foot away, Ted said, “The limo driver works for me, Uriel.”
Ted shoved by him, and he and his thugs ran toward a van that pulled up onto the street behind them.
Uriel’s heart dropped to his stomach as he realized that he’d just put Emily into danger. How had that happened?
Brady patted his back as Uriel visualized Emily in that monster’s hands. Brady said, “Uriel, I’m sorry.”
Uriel swallowed and stood straighter. He was stronger and faster, so he ran as fast as he could, with his hands curled into fists—he chased Ted down the alley toward the busy street and his waiting van. If he didn’t stop this, Emily could die. Henry appeared at his side, sprinting all out.
“What was in the security box?” Brady panted as he joined them. “You showed Emily but I was near the door with Henry.”
He’d slipped the box to Emily, not that his friends knew that—now wasn’t the time to explain.
Six inches away! Ted and his two men were already in the black van. The engine revved.
Uriel lunged for the back door but the driver squealed the tires as he sped away.
