them,” Bella says, bumping Ink’s side.
“Unfortunately.”
The day is uneventful. But it was a really fun day. Bella and I danced to music while organizing and shelving yesterday’s delivery. Ink ate all of my bagels and ordered us subs for lunch.
I haven’t laughed so much in years. Ink is always cracking jokes about something. And his smile doesn’t help matters any. He’s a handsome man.
Unfortunately, he isn’t the one my mind keeps wandering to.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to follow you home?” Bella asks.
“Absolutely,” I repeat for the third time. “I don’t live very far away. Maybe ten minutes.”
“Well, text me the very second you’re locked safely inside,” she says, before hugging me and following Ink out the door.
I close and lock the door behind her. Once I switch the open sign to closed, I start my night routine.
I count the register drawer and log today’s earnings. I sweep the floor, dust the shelves, and straighten any crooked books. After everything is finished, I just sit down and relax.
I know I’ve been telling everyone that I’m fine. That I’m not worried. But some part of me is completely terrified. Even if it is Marco who sent the letter, I know that he’s capable of a lot more than he lets people think.
If he wanted to harm me to keep me from getting custody of Brendon, he would do it without blinking an eye.
If it’s not Marco, then that’s a whole other story.
I lean back in the chair and close my eyes. The store is closed on Fridays, so I have tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday to do as Trigger suggested and have another talk with my landlady about getting a deadbolt on the front door.
I can also start on the new books I picked out from yesterday’s delivery.
Maybe, start that tomato garden I’ve been wanting to start. Or mow the yard that I’m sure needs a good trimming. Of course, clean my house. It’s not dirty, but it could use a good dusting.
There are so many things I can do.
So, why am I so reluctant to go home?
Knowing that I can’t sit here all night, I grab my purse and lock up.
Turning toward my car, I curse myself. My car is in the same place I parked it yesterday morning.
Before I got the weird letter.
It’s snug right in the corner of the parking lot where the streetlight doesn’t reach.
I could always call Ted. But the thought it only fleeting. He’s been under stress about finishing a table that was ordered weeks ago.
I pull my big girl panties up, square my shoulders, and walk to my car.
Half-way there, I hear a noise behind me. A noise that I would normally ignore. Maybe someone is taking their trash out. Maybe someone is taking a walk.
But as I quicken my steps, the heavy footfalls quicken, also.
I do the only thing that makes sense.
I run.
Reaching my car, I pull at the handle only to discover that it’s locked. Cursing myself, I dig through my purse, trying to find the keys. The moment my hand wraps around the bundle, I’m grabbed from behind with a hand slamming against my mouth.
“Naughty girl, being out here in the dark all alone.”
Oh, god, I’m going to die.
I don’t know how I manage through the fear pouring from my body, but I take in every detail I can. If there’s a chance I can get away, I want to take every memory with me in the hopes of catching this person.
The voice is distinctively male. Deep, gruff. Accented. New York, maybe? The body my back in pressed against feels large. Muscular. He smells like cigarettes and strong cologne. The hand over my mouth feels rough. Used.
“I warned you not to tell anyone,” the man says. “You were warned and chose to ignore me.”
I wriggle, trying to fight my way lose. Only to cause the man to chuckle. His laughter causes me to fight more. Thinking to use my extra weight against him, I lift both feet off the ground in the hopes of him dropping me. He simply tightens his arm around my waist, causing me to just hang there.
“My plan was to steal you away and hide you where you’ll never be found,” he continues, completely ignoring my attempts at escaping. “But I have a better idea. I think a little punishment will be a wonderful warning.”
I’m shoved forward against my car. He releases his hold on me, and I fall to the ground. But, before I have