Page 22 of Silent Comrade
ChapterEleven
“It’s R—Al.Don’tmove,” a low voice whispered next to Britt’s ear.
A huge mass of a human body silentlysqueezed into the center of the rack, pushing her torso forwardthrough the metal X. Every muscle in her body tensed.
His hand on her nose and mouth cut off airuntil stars sparkled in her vision. The shadows of dim lightwavered beneath the rack’s glass top as she stared upward. Sheclawed at his arm with one hand until he lowered it enough that shecould draw breath into her nose. With her other hand she raised theBrannock, but he twisted her wrist until her fingers went numb.Without making a sound, he set the tool on the floor in an economyof movement in the limited space.
Then he curved his free arm around herwaist, tucking her flush against his chest and pinning one of herarms to her side. She couldn’t get a full breath, he had herwrapped so tightly.
The combined warmth of their bodies, plusthe remnants of the store’s last attempt to sell winter clothing inAtlanta, stifled her. Her finger brushed against a garment. Wasthat ripstop nylon? Down insulation? She gulped down aninappropriate giggle and tried not to shudder.
Heat poured off him. A scent of pine andaftershave filled the space, and little by little her musclesloosened until she was boneless. Somehow, Al was here. How?
She’d deal with that question later. Unlesshe worked with those men out there. No way. She tensed.
“I’m going to move my hand,” he whispered.“Don’t scream.” It wasn’t a request.
She nodded and he eased his hand away, butkept it cupped around her shoulder. He was probably ready to reloadthe facepalm if she made a peep. He relaxed his embrace so shecould move her pinned arm.
“What’s going on?” She pitched her voicelow, holding the metal X with one hand while digging her fingers ofher other into his corded forearm which was locked around hermidsection.
His breath tickled the fine hairs along herneck, along with his glasses frame. “Do you trust me?”
“I don’t really know you.” She pushedagainst the vice of his arm. Didn’t budge.
“Please. Britt.”
New sound penetrated their hide. The menwere coming closer again. She stiffened in Al’s arms. He went stillas a statue.
Mutters and scrapes of hangers on metal barsgrew louder. She peered up. A flashlight beam swept over the glass.She couldn’t breathe. Sweat trickled down her temple.
Al patted her shoulder. “I will take care ofyou. Stay here.”
Not a good idea. He might be ex-military andwilling to help, but gentle, Granny-helping Al was no match for twoguys with guns. “Not safe.”
“Only option.” His warm lips brushed herear.
“But…”
“Trust me.” His rumbling voice vibratedthrough her spine, almost reassuring her.
What could she do? She wanted to help. Totake action. To run.
Rapidly going through her choices, she cameup with her only option: Trust Al.
“Want help?” She didn’t want him gettinghurt. Inching her foot along the carpeted floor, she bumped theBrannock he’d set down. With that tool, she could make someoneregret a few life decisions. Sucking air into her hot lungs,adrenaline surged and stiffened her spine. “I tried to call 911. Ican try again.”
He shook his head behind her. “Phones arejammed.”
Who the heck jammed phones in a departmentstore?
He gave a deep, nearly soundless chuckle shefelt rather than heard. Like this life-or-death situation wasfunny. “Besides, I’ve got this situation under control.”
Like it was no big deal for him to go aftertwo armed dudes in the clearance section of JT Armstrong. Again,why was he here? Too many questions. Now she wanted to stay alive,if only to get some answers out of the guy.
“Stay here,” he whispered, feathering a kissagainst her temple. He gently peeled her hand off his forearm andplanted it on the metal stand in front of her. Then he melted intothe darkness with a high-pitchedshushof ripstop nylon.
Britt’s heart hammered loud enough that shecouldn’t hear anything for a minute. She clutched the rack. Twominutes. Three. Fleshy, low, gut-turning thuds were followed bysmacks and stomach-turning crunches. She pressed her hand over hermouth.Ooofsand moans. Someone panted and coughed.
