Page 55 of Girl Lost
They got out of the car and walked along the pier, the wooden planks creaking beneath their feet. Music drifted from one of the boats, a blend of pulsing bass and sultry vocals. This was a playground for the wealthy, a world of champagne wishes and caviar dreams. A world she’d only ever glimpsed from the shadows.
The darkened windows of the marina office reflected the moon’s pale light. A security camera, mounted above the entrance, swiveled. Its red light blinked in the darkness. They walked along the side of the building, a narrow strip of concrete separating the water from the parking lot. Cigarette butts littered the ground near the side entrance.
“What are we looking for?” Luna asked.
“Don’t know. Just ... whatever jumps out.” He stopped, both hands on his waist. “Sorry. This is stupid. You’re probably exhausted, and no one is here. Let’s get out of here. I’ll have an officer come down and question the crew in the morning.”
What was that? Exasperation? Exhaustion? She knew she felt both. It had been a long day. Missing girls. Kidnapping. Graves. Shady boat dealers. Flirty billionaires. All this and no closer to answers.
“Sure.” She followed him as he turned back toward the car.
Corbin was halfway there when Luna stopped. A shadow shifted. Movement. Faint, but she caught it.
Men dressed in black tactical gear. Faces obscured by balaclavas.
“Corbin!” She grabbed his arm and yanked.
The sharp crackle of a Taser. A flash of blue light.
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A BLUE SPARK ILLUMINATEDthe darkness for aheartbeat, followed by the hiss of electricity. The Taser probe whizzed past Corbin’s ear, missing by a hair. His pulse fluttered in his neck.
Luna’s fingers dug into his arm. She’d yanked him back just in time.
No time to breathe. No time to draw his weapon.
Two figures materialized from the shadows, solidifying into men. Masked faces indistinct in the dim light. Intentions crystal clear.
The first attacker was built like a linebacker. The second circled like a predator, a distinct hitch in his step marking his movement. Corbin grabbed for his gun, but the linebacker charged straight at him.
Corbin dodged, but the linebacker whirled and grabbed his head. Nails dug into his scalp. The world tilted as the attacker twisted him off balance. A muscular arm clamped around his neck. Bicep against his throat. He writhed. Fought the pressure.
Corbin clawed at the attacker’s arm. He needed space. He needed air.
Hitch stopped circling and drove his knee into Corbin’s gut. Precious air burst from his lungs. He tried to double over, but the arm around his neck kept him upright. Black spots pulsed at the edges of his vision. His fingers scrabbled at his holster. The gun was there but unreachable.
“Stop! Or I’ll shoot!” Luna’s voice sliced through the night.
His vision swam, but he caught a glimpse of her with her Glock aimed in their direction. Stance rock solid. But she wasn’t firing. Of course she wasn’t. The men were too close, using Corbin’s body as a shield.
A third attacker appeared from behind a parked car, moving toward Luna. This one was shorter than the others but moved with liquid precision. How many were there? He strained to see shapes in the gloom and saw Number Three had his arm extended.
“Gun!” Corbin croaked.
A crackle of electricity filled the air.
Corbin’s muscles strained against the linebacker’s hold. He watched in horror as Luna went rigid. Her body jerked as the Taser’s current coursed through her. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened in a silent scream. She toppled backward, hitting the ground hard. Her gun clattered across the pavement, skittering away into the darkness.
White-hot fury surged, lending him strength he didn’t know he possessed. He bucked violently, trying to throw his head back for a headbutt. The linebacker behind him anticipated the move, shifting out of range. Corbin’s skull connected with nothing but air, sending a jolt of pain down his neck. Frustration mixed with the anger coursing through his veins.
Fine. Plan B.
He hooked his legs around Hitch, pulling with all his strength. He used his weight to drag them off balance, muscles straining with the effort. They crashed to the ground in a jumble of arms and legs, Corbin sandwiched between the two attackers.
The impact drove what little air he had left from his lungs. Fora moment, stars exploded behind his eyes. Rough asphalt scraped against his cheek. The sting barely registered.
Where was Luna? He couldn’t see her, couldn’t tell if she was okay.
