through the tape stopped her former boss. He frowned as if not believing she held a weapon on him.
Screaming at him, hoping he understood how she'd lost her patience and she was pissed, she waved the barrel of the pistol at him, making him move. She stepped forward, pushing him back to the booth with the power of knowing she'd shoot him if he dared try to stop her, and demanded him to sit.
The dress he'd forced on her drooped off her shoulder. Ignoring the clothing, she sucked air through her nose, feeling lightheaded as if she needed more air.
One thing stood between her and Curley, and she had no qualms about pulling the trigger to make sure she never lost him.
Cal held up his hands. "Baby, let's talk."
She growled, wishing the tape was off her mouth. Trying again to rip at the binding with one hand, she failed to find the end of the tape. She had to get it off.
The scissors. She needed to find the scissors.
She quickly searched the immediate area. Cal had put them somewhere when he'd cut off her clothes.
Not finding them, she assumed he'd taken them to the kitchen. If not, she'd find something there to cut the tape off her. A knife or something sharp. Then she'd leave out the back door. She only needed to run a couple of blocks before she reached the residential area and could knock on someone's door, asking for help.
She motioned for Cal to get up. Thankful when he understood, she motioned with the gun for him to walk. Staying behind him, out of arm's length of him, she forced him down the hallway. She grunted at the doorway to the kitchen. He looked behind him, and she pointed.
Cal stepped into the kitchen. Once he was clear of the door, she hurried around him, putting herself between him and the back door.
The slight exertion stole her breath. She wasn't going to be able to run with the tape on her, but she had to give it a try. The longer it took, Curley would get farther and farther away from her. He could be headed back to Missoula already.
"Put the gun down." Cal raised his palms to her. "I'll take the tape off you, and we can talk."
She shook her head. He wasn't getting another chance to touch her.
Taking a step back, she glanced at the back door. Positive Cal had locked it when he brought her here, she tried to remember if it required a key or if there was a lever. When she'd worked here, there was always someone here who'd opened up the building before she'd arrived.
"Let's start over, Celia." Cal's forehead wrinkled, making his face flush. "I'll get down on my knees and beg you."
He held on to the counter and lowered himself to the floor. Spotting her moment, she rushed to the back door, trying the handle, turning the lever, pushing against the metal surface.
No. No. No. The strength left her, and she turned to find another way out when an explosion of broken glass came from the other side of the building. Startled, she froze.
Cal grabbed her legs. She tumbled to the floor. The back of her head hit a box. Groaning, she tried to sit up, and Cal crawled over the top half of her body. Bucking against his heavier weight, she struggled to get away.
He pulled her arm, trying to gain possession of the pistol. A burst of energy filled her, and she strained.
Her finger pulled back the trigger.
Bang.
Cal fell on top of her. Bright lights filled her dark vision. She pushed against his large, lax body. Worming her way out from under him, she spotted the blood where his face should be.
Her ears rang, deafening her to everything. She dropped her gaze to Cal's upper body. There was no movement.
The tape across her mouth vibrated. She dropped the weapon and clawed at the tape with both hands. Needing to get away, she cried out as her fingernails bent backward, barring her progress.
Hands scooped her under the armpits. Flaying her bond arms, a scream filled her head as her body was lifted.
Chapter 37
Curley
Curley went to his knees, wrapping his arms around Faye, holding her tight against his chest, not letting her hurt herself. He couldn't tell if all the blood belonged to Cal or came from her.
"I'm here." He pressed his lips against her temple. "I've got you."
Wearing herself out, her struggles slowed, but the muffled cries continued. He