Page 6 of Mistletoe and Malice
“Yes.” Her voice barely squeaked past the fear blocking her throat.
Nodding, he picked up speed again.
“He’s got a gun!”
As he neared the car, the engine revved, and the vehicle hurtled backward. He dove out of the way, and the older model Buick sped toward the exit. The still-open trunk lid bounced up and down as the car careened around the corner out of sight, the squeal of tires growing fainter as it neared the bottom.
The man stood and braced his hands on his knees, his breathing harsh.
Riley ran up to him. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
He took a few deep breaths and straightened. A brown swath of dirt from the concrete floor stretched from shoulder to hip on one side of his black jacket. “I’m fine. I hoped to get a plate, but it was covered in mud.”
Avery finally reached them and grabbed Riley’s arm. “What wasthat?”
Riley shook her head. “I was on my way back. He just grabbed me.”
Riley’s rescuer pulled his cell from his jacket. “I’ll call the cops, but let’s get you both somewhere safe in case he comes back.”
While Avery retrieved Riley’s bag and stuffed the contents back inside, he made his call to 911, informing the operator they’d be at the bistro where Riley wished she’d gone instead ofbringing her bags up to her car. But then perhaps some other poor girl would be in that trunk and on her way to who knew what brutality. An icy pall cascaded over her skin.
Checking the empty parking spot, she noted no gun. The assailant must have retrieved it before he got away. If only her blow could have propelled it further afield.
The small crowd that had gathered—where had they been two minutes ago?—parted as Avery and their escort entered the elevator.
Riley peered at the man next to her. “After all of this, I feel like I should know your name.”
“Logan. Logan Devers.”
“Riley Hudson. And this is Avery. Thank you so much for everything.”
“Of course. I’m just glad I got up there when I did.”
Divine intervention. Had to be.
Exiting on the bottom floor, Riley walked between them. Her body shook with leftover adrenaline, and she prayed her legs would hold out. “Not everybody would’ve intervened like you did. I’m so grateful.”
“Nothing else entered my mind.”
“I can’t believe this.” Avery held tight to Riley’s arm. “Of all places …here?”
“And in broad daylight. Low-life predator.” At the bistro, Logan gestured at a waiter. “Can you seat the ladies, please?”
“Yes, sir.”
He turned back to Riley. “I’ll wait for the police. Right now, you need to sit.”
A wide-eyed Barbara pushed her glasses up on her nose, her gaze raking over Riley. “What’s going on?”
“Riley was almost abducted,” Avery answered before Riley’s brain had formulated a coherent response. “And if that guy whowas just here hadn’t shown up, she might be gone without a trace.”
Riley shook her head. “I would’ve fought to the death before letting him put me in that trunk.”
Fran’s eyes widened. “Atrunk?My lands.” She pulled a chair from the table. “Sit. You look like you’re about to fall over.” She peered up at the waiter. “Hot tea all around, please. Let’s do chamomile. We’ll see after that if my friend feels like lunch or not. We may need to get her home.”
“Yes, ma’am. Not a problem. And tea’s on the house.”
“Thank you. We appreciate it.”
