the pull as he started to slow down.
“What are you doing?” Now I was terrified.
“You’re going to have to trust me. Just hold on.”
They were getting closer. And closer.
My heart hammered against my chest, my throat tightening. I’d never felt so claustrophobic in my life. No. No. I didn’t want to die.
After several additional shots, pinging sounds erupting around us, he slammed on the brakes, able to keep control of the car.
“Hold on. Just hold on.” When the car finally jerked to a stop, I was breathless, a single whimper escaping my mouth.
As the headlights flew by the car, I had to fight to keep from crawling into my seat. The clear sound of metal hitting metal was so loud.
Then there was something else.
An explosion.
I couldn’t hold back a slight scream.
“We’re okay.” Nikolai pressed down on the pedal, roaring away.
Flames became a warm glow around the vehicle, close enough I could almost feel the heat. I folded my arms, chilled to the bone.
“It’s all right. There was only one of them. However, we’re going to need to make a slight detour.”
The rope a hindrance, I struggled back into the passenger seat. I peered into the side mirror, horrified from the sight of the fire. Within minutes, he’d pulled onto another road, one that was dark and gloomy, adding to the horrible fear.
When I turned around, I could hear my teeth chattering.
“Are you all right?” he asked. He was completely calm, his voice soft and comforting.
“Fine. How can you stand that? Was that your life?”
“Not always.”
The two words were the last ones he said for several miles.
Then a motel appeared in the distance, only a couple hundred yards ahead. I glanced out the passenger window, trying to see any signs indicating where we were. I had no idea. None. Everything was disjointed, my mind reeling. I’d tried so hard to keep up with where we were going. That way, I could provide excellent detail to the authorities when I was able to make contact.
No. No. No! Damn it.
“Is this where we’re staying?” I asked, loathing the meek sound in my voice.
Nikolai snorted. “Hardly. This is a few hours of sleep and nothing more. Where there’s one of them, there is always a second. We’ll lay low for a little while.” He pulled into the parking lot, shifting to where there was little light and I cringed. Even the flashing half lit neon sign reminded of something out of a horror movie, the seedy look of the single-story building causing a lump to form in my throat.
I wiggled in my seat, suddenly entirely too claustrophobic.
After pulling the car to a spot near the other side of the lobby, slamming the gear into park, he turned to face me. “Chloe. I’m only going to say this once. Stay in this seat. I will be able to see you from inside. If you so much as make a move or try and cry out, trust me, the punishment you’re going to receive will be much harsher than before. Do you understand me?”
“Why, yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir.” I could see the flash of anger in his eyes and felt oddly vindicated for a few seconds. At least I’d managed to get under his skin.
Cursing quietly in Russian, he exited the vehicle. I watched as he walked into the cramped space before looking out of every window. There was no sign of activity, no people. There had to be a way to get to someone. At least there were a few cars in the place. Maybe I could get lucky.
I studied Nikolai’s activities, watching his frustration grow when no one appeared at his beck and call immediately. I shifted closer to his seat, hissing from the fact there was a console between the two seats. When he dared to turn his head away, I managed to slide halfway over. Sucking in air, I shifted my body at an awkward angle in order to make it appear like I hadn’t moved.
Finally, it was obvious he grew frustrated, moving out of sight likely in some attempt to rouse whoever was supposed to be at the front desk. There would never be another opportunity to try to get away. I kicked hard with my feet, making it all the way into his seat. I had to struggle to get my legs under the steering wheel. I was already gasping for air, another suffocating moment as my throat closed, prickling sensations like sharp claws.
From this angle, I was