Page 5 of A Cold Fateful Night
A red dot suddenly appeared on the man's chest.
The other man began backing away. "Come on Drew, let’s getout of here." Lasette didn’t miss the audible fear in the man’s voice
Turning both men ran the other way. Dorian stepped forwardwatching the men run down the street before turning back to her. Without aword, Dorian grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her along behind him. Shewanted to speak, to say something about what just happened but she knew itwasn't the time. With his hand securely around hers, Dorian easily backtrackedthrough their now wider path in the snow, this time turning sharply down analley they passed earlier. The alley was even darker than the street. Lettinggo of her hand Dorian reached in his pocket for his flashlight. Shining thelight ahead of them he shined it on an old blue pickup parked in the middle thealley with the driver side door hanging open. Following Dorian closely Lasettecould see that there were other cars parked in the small lot hidden between thetwo buildings.
"I saw this on our way here, I was in the middle of gettingit started when I heard the noises," Dorian explained, his voice wasclipped and short, wordlessly telling her not to inquire any further. Openingthe passenger door, he took her hand again and tugged her forward. "Getin."
Following his orders, Lasette scrambled onto the long bench seat.Coming around to the driver side Dorian easily hopped in and shut the door. Itwas then did she notice a portion of the back window was missing and the feelof broken glass underneath her shoes. With his gun in his lap, Dorian stuck theend of the flashlight in his mouth and reached under the steering wheel.
Dear God, he was hot-wiring the car.
Lasette sat perfectly still as the seconds ticked by with only thesounds of his working fingers moving along the pulled out wires. Suddenly theengine rumbled to life beneath them, clicking off his flashlight Dorian pulledthe steering wheel shift down notching it into drive. Relief so tangible andforeign flared to life in her as Lasette watched the truck's headlightsilluminate the alley lighting their way out.
"I saw the alley on our way to the station, and I rememberedthere was a small car lot in it," Dorian slowly guided the truck throughthe thick un-shoveled snow. With each building, they passed Lasette could feelher heartbeat return to normal. "I followed you back and stopped to getthis truck when I heard the shouts."
Lasette still couldn't believe that just happened. Trembling allover she sat stiffly in her seat as the icy air from the broken window rushedin behind her. Those men were actually going to attack her. If it had not beenfor Dorian, she could have been sexually violated by two men on the street.Just thinking of it made her stomach turn and skin feel clammy.
"Hey talk to me," he gave her a worried look beforeturning his gaze back to the road. "It actually worries me when you're nottalking."
Startled from her thought she turned her head towards her windowto hide her tearing eyes. "I think they were going to rape me." Shecould barely voice it without her voice cracking.
"No." He replied with quiet authority as he carefullyturned onto another dark street.
Furrowing her brow in confusion, she shook her head. "Whatyou mean "no," they were…"
"What I mean is I would've killed them if they had laid evenone finger on you before I got to you," he explained coldly.
Nodding she sat numbly in her seat, not sure how to process theman's deadly response.
"Finally," he muttered, pointing with his hand stillgripping the top of the steering wheel. Looking ahead Lasette smiled at thesight, up ahead they could see city lights. Sighing in relief Lasette relaxedin her seat.
"Tell me where you live," she could hear the tensionleaving his voice as he too relaxed.
Giving him a quick directions Lasette realized that the last timethey were together, she yelled at him. The man legitimately saved her lifetwice in one night. The heat from her embarrassment spread throughout her face.Turning to him she tried to think of what to say as an apology.
Boy did he have a nice profile though. The slight indention's inthe hollow of his cheeks really accentuated his high cheekbones giving his facethat severe sharp look that went well with his equally sharp eyes. This was thefirst time seeing him in better lighting albeit a dim overhead light, his brownskin was naturally sun-kissed and smooth while his dark close cut hair showedtelltale signs of curls fighting their way forward. Pulling up to a desertedflashing stop light he gave her questioning look.
Nervously she just started talking. "So um... What are yougoing to do with the truck when this is all over?"
There was a beat of silence before he answered. "Probablyjust park it back on the lot and leave some money in the glove box."
That made sense she thought Lasette wasn't sure if she would havethought of that. Stealing another look at her companion she braced herself forwhat she had been avoiding.
“I'm really sorry for yelling at you back there I…" Shewanted to add some sort of reason or justification for her actions, but shecouldn't think of one. Bottom line she was wrong. "I can't believe Ireacted that way especially after every…"
"Don't worry about it," he replied brusquely nevertaking his eyes off the road ahead of them.
Frowning she just stared at him for a second, the man sure didmake it difficult to talk to him.
"I can't, I know you probably don't think much of me, but Ireally mean it I am…"
"You're wrong," pulling the truck to a stop he took hisstern gaze off the window and met her gaze directly giving her a sad smile hecontinued. "I think so much of you, in fact, I’m willing to let you stayat my place tonight."
There was a moment of silence as she replayed his words.
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Pointing his finger out the window, she followed his line ofsight.
