Page 54 of Unexpected Danger
Dustin smiled broadly at Mrs. Rumberger, his piercing eyes temporarily lighting.
“Well, that’s nice.” Mrs. Rumberger directed her gaze to Londyn. “I’m happy for you with your new boyfriend, but I always wished you’d marry Brodie. You two make such an attractive couple. Whatever happened?”
Londyn wanted to dispute Dustin’s comment about him being her boyfriend and to assure Mrs. Rumberger she and Brodiewere still somewhat friends—or at least she hoped Brodie thought of their relationship in that way after she’d broken his heart—but the narrowing of Dustin’s eyes and a sharp pinch on the underside of her bicep prompted her to refrain. So she said nothing.
“Well, I best be on my way. Do come over for dinner sometime. I’d love to catch up.”
“I will. Thank you, Mrs. Rumberger.”
The woman shuffled away with her cane and umbrella, again leaving Londyn and Dustin alone. His eyes darkened, and his malevolent demeanor returned. “It would be so easy to run her over.” He shrugged. “At her age, she’s a drain on society anyway.”
His words caused Londyn’s temper to flare. All life was precious from womb to grave.
“Would you like the old woman to die because of you, Londyn?”
Unfortunately, Mrs. Rumberger was such a slow walker that Dustin could hop in his truck and mow her over before she reached the other side of the buildings.
“Leave us alone.” She attempted to wrangle from his grasp, and he tightened his hold on her arm.
“Just think. If you scream, Mrs. Rumberger will come back and attempt to help you. Would be a shame for her to die for being so heroic. And no one else will hear you.” The hiss of Dustin’s words pricked the back of her neck, and she shivered. He was right. Mrs. Rumberger would turn around and do what she could to assist Londyn. He was also right that it wouldn’t take much for him to harm her.
“I have my trusty knife and will use it if I need to. Now get in the truck!”
With his free hand, he gripped the side of the cab, and with the other, yanked her closer to the vehicle.
Lord, please help me.
She knew if he succeeded in getting her into the truck, her chances of survival were slim.
Dustin was perceptive and astute, making any scheme more challenging. Additionally, she lacked sufficient time for a well-thought-out plan.
Lord, please give me wisdom!
Dustin sized her up, his gaze roving over her, lingering before settling on her face. It was a game of cat and mouse, as the saying went, and from his devious expression, Dustin enjoyed every second of his malevolent plan.
She caught a glimpse of his hand on the inside of the truck doorframe. He clutched the area near the foam insulation strip, likely for leverage as he attempted to shove her inside.
Dustin tugged on her, Londyn’s feet stuttering along the pavement. A feral flash of teeth reminded her of the seriousness of the situation.
As if she needed a reminder.
Her chest tightened as worry snaked through her. She struggled to breathe normally, to think clearly. To react efficiently.
Hooking two fingers on the door, Londyn slammed it as hard as she could, directly onto his hand.
“Ah!” he thundered, his immediate response followed by a string of the vilest profanities Londyn had ever heard.
She didn’t wait to see what would happen next. Launching into a run, she scrambled to the optometrist’s office, her sore body begging for mercy.
Londyn flung open the door to the Pronghorn Falls Eye Center. She heard the sound of squealing tires and saw the flash of maroon as Dustin barreled out of the parking lot. A plume of thick black smoke lingered in the air, the only evidence he’d been there.
Except for the claw marks on her tricep and the nonstop pounding of her heart.
“Londyn?”
Aileen pivoted from her place at the front counter. Londyn’s shoulders slumped with the overwhelming release of tension. She stumbled forward, her toe nearly catching on the gray vinyl flooring.
“I need to call Brodie.” The urgency in her tone belied her slow movements.
