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KAYLEE WALKED OUT TO the parking lot with Lena and Gray, zipping up her coat more tightly. She shivered in the cold air, once again noticing that Gray seemed practically immune to it. He was wearing a long sleeve tee shirt this time, which showed off his muscular frame, along with a pair of jeans. With his dark sunglasses on, he really did look like a bodyguard, alert and at the ready as he escorted them outside. Briefly, she wondered if he was armed. She knew Nick carried a weapon, so it stood to reason that Gray would as well.
“It’s too bad Anna had to leave so early,” Kaylee commented. “We barely got to chat at all. And she had her baby all bundled up in that carrier because it’s so cold out today.”
“Baby Brody was not about having the coffee date this morning,” Lena agreed. “I think she thought it would be fun to bring him, but clearly he had other ideas.”
“Gosh, I’ve always wanted kids, but babies seem like so much work,” Kaylee mused. “Anna had the nanny helping her the other night but was a bit frazzled today trying to handle everything by herself. Anna didn’t even grab her drink before she rushed out. Did she go right home?”
“I think so. That diaper change didn’t go as planned, so she needed extra clothes for Brody.”
“We should pick up something for her and drop it off. Their house isn’t too far from here, right?” Kaylee asked. “I can grab her another decaf drink.”
Gray seemed amused by her worry but agreed to drive her to Jett’s home if she wanted to get something for Anna. He started to walk back toward the coffee shop with them, but Kaylee told him they’d be fine to quickly go in. He nodded but stood in front of the store anyway, his arms crossed as he watched them head to the doors.
“Is he always so intense?” Kaylee asked Lena.
“Always.”
Kaylee giggled as they pulled open the door, still wondering what was going on with Lena and Gray. Lena wasn’t ever fazed by him in the least. Even Kaylee had grown accustomed to his gruff mannerisms during the short time she’d known him.
The coffee shop was busy as they walked back in, but it felt warm and cozy compared to the artic blast outside. She moved to get in line, with Lena right beside her. “I’ll pay this time,” Lena said.
“Good idea,” Kaylee said, worry suddenly churning through her again. She assumed Gray had texted Nick to let him know about the slipup earlier. There wasn’t much she could do about it now. She’d get Anna’s drink and then be on her way. Kaylee placed the order and then decided to quickly duck into the ladies’ room in the back as Lena swiped her own credit card.
“I’ll come, too,” Lena said. “Gray won’t be happy if I let you out of my sight.”
Shaking her head, Kaylee headed toward the back. “I’ll be quick,” she promised as they walked down the dim hallway. She felt oddly nervous all of a sudden. It was quieter back here, away from the hustle and bustle out front. A lone exit door was at the end of the hallway, and there was a separate area that seemed to house supplies. As she pushed open the bathroom door, she was relieved to see both stalls were empty. Not that she expected anyone to be waiting there for them, but for some reason, she was consumed with worry in a way she hadn’t been earlier. Lena waited by the sink, and then a minute later, Kaylee was washing her hands.
“Her coffee must be ready by now. Let’s grab it and head out,” Kaylee said.
Kaylee’s gaze fell on the changing table as they readied to leave the bathroom. Poor Anna. Maybe Kaylee should’ve offered to come back and help her earlier, not that she knew much about changing diapers.
“I’ll text her to let her know you and Gray are on your way to drop something off,” Lena said.
“Perfect, thanks,” Kaylee said. “I wouldn’t want to ring the doorbell if the baby is sleeping or something.” She pulled open the door, walking into the hallway with Lena right behind her, then gasped as two men rounded the corner. Cronin and Levins stood in front of them, blocking the hallway. Kaylee and Lena were trapped, the back door at the very end of the hall the only way to escape. Kaylee opened her mouth to scream when they lunged, each man grabbing a woman.
One of the men covered Kaylee’s mouth as he hefted her against him, his arms like iron around her. Kaylee kicked and fought, trying to get away, then sunk her teeth into his hand as he swore.
“Don’t move a fucking muscle!” Levins seethed, pressing a knife against Lena’s throat as he held her firmly in his grip. Kaylee froze, completely terrified as she stared at her friend.
Cronin set her on her feet, one hand still covering her mouth, the other wrapped around her upper arm, his grip like a vice.
“Go!” Lena mouthed to her. “Run!”
“One wrong move, and I’ll kill her,” Levins said, his face red, his eyes wide with rage. Both men seemed slightly crazed, like they were on drugs or some other type of stimulant. Within seconds, they were moving both women to the back door. Kaylee frantically looked around, unsure what to do. She might be able to break free of Cronin’s grip, but she had no doubt Levins would kill Lena. The knife was still at her throat, and she had paled, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
Managing to slide her bracelet free, Kaylee let it fall to the ground as she was bodily moved out the back door. Gray was out front with no idea what was happening, but he wouldn’t wait outside forever. He’d come looking for them. While he might not know the bracelet was Kaylee’s, Nick would. And she didn’t doubt that Gray would see it there. He was the type of man who noticed everything.
Kaylee’s eyes smarted with tears as she and Lena were forced into the back ally and dark SUV waiting there. A third man was in the driver’s seat, and as she was pushed down in the back of the vehicle, the doors slammed shut, and it raced away.
