Maddie opened the door to Kaitlyn.
Dressed in her uniform, she bent to pet Lucky and handed Maddie a bag. She shot a glance down the stairs. “I passed Scott on the way up. I brought you some clothes that I hope fit. Had to guess at the sizes.”
“Thanks. It’s not awkward at all to be standing here in nothing but Scott’s shirt.” The attempt at levity fell a bit short. Her gaze lowered to the gun in Kaitlyn’s holster. A reminder of the danger at hand. Maddie tugged at her earlobe and glanced at the curtained window. Sure would be nice to go back to a normal life where she didn’t have to worry about stalkers or arson.
The lack of clothing hadn’t bothered her around Scott, where she felt safe. Now, all she wanted was to cover up. “Just need a second to change.”
She hurried down the hall and then slipped into the shorts, underwear, and a T-shirt. Better. If something unexpected happened, at least she’d be dressed. When she came back to the foyer, Lucky had managed to coax a full belly rub out of Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn glanced up. “Good thing we like each other, because I’m going to be stuck to you like glue.”
“I know you’re pulling a double shift to do this. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s not worth taking a chance.” Kaitlyn straightened. “The fire wasn’t an accident. Apparently, the window to the escape was nailed shut from the outside. Someone tried to kill you.”
Maddie broke out in a cold sweat. “I won’t lie. It kinda freaks me out to think about it.”
“Well, I’m here now and under strict orders not to leave you alone. If you have to pee, I’m supposed to go with you.”
“What? That’s—”
“I’m kidding.” Kaitlyn placed a hand on Maddie’s arm. “But seriously, we stick together. Scott told me if you gave me any grief to call him right away. He’s pretty intense today.”
No doubt, with all he had going on. She wouldn’t add to his worries. “I promise to listen.”
“Good.” Kaitlyn checked her watch. “Did you eat dinner yet?”
“No. I haven’t been hungry.” Zach’s meeting with Victor was in an hour. Her stomach knotted.
Kaitlyn slid a chair out from the kitchen table. “How about sitting down? You don’t look so hot.”
Maddie slouched onto the seat. “I’m worried about tonight.”
“I know.” Kaitlyn eased down on the chair beside Maddie. “Scott’s not a rookie. He can handle himself and whatever comes up.”
“It’s just that now I’ve fallen…” Ugh. What was she babbling about?
“You can say it, you know.” The corners of Kaitlyn’s mouth curved. “In love. I’m really happy for you two.”
Maddie stood and went to the refrigerator. “Well, we still have to talk about the future, but yeah, we’ll find a way to be together.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Speaking of which, how are things with Tom?”
Kaitlyn blushed. “Going well. But I think it’s a good thing I’ll soon be working in another town. It’s kinda hard to focus…”
“When you’re hot and bothered, right?” Maddie laughed. Some of the tension left her body. This was what she needed, some normal conversation.
“I didn’t say that.” Kaitlyn’s face turned crimson.
Maddie waved a hand. “Oh, please. You don’t have to worry with me.” She opened the refrigerator. “Leftover pizza?”
“Sure. I’d rather not have anything delivered.”
Right. Safer to stay in and limit exposure to strangers who might have been hired to kill her. The muscles in her neck bunched. She opened the cabinet to pull out two plates, and her phone rang.
Scott.
His ringtone alone caused her pulse to race. Anything could go wrong. “Hey, Scott.”
“I passed Kaitlyn on my way out. Everything okay?”
“Yes.” Hearing his deep, smooth voice took the edge off her nerves.
“Good. You’re still in the apartment, right?”
“Yes.” She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pizza box.
“And you know to stay in?”
Well, now he was making her jumpy again. She tapped a foot on the floor. “Did you call just to grill me?”
“No. I called to say I love you.”
The words wrapped around her heart like a warm blanket. She closed her eyes and smiled. “Thanks. I love you, too. And I’m worried sick.”
Kaitlyn moved to the other room.
Scott spoke in a soft tone. “It’s gonna be okay. Soon this will all be nothing but a bad memory.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. Trust me. I can’t wait to come home to you.”
She pressed her lips together as tears threatened. For so long she’d yearned to hear him talk like this. “Promise me you won’t take any risks.”
“I’ll do all I can.”
Which wasn’t the same, but she couldn’t expect much more. “Okay. Call me when it’s over. I…need to know you’re safe.”
“Will do. Stick with Kaitlyn. No flying solo.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Maddie?”
“Yeah?”
“Did Kaitlyn bring you panties?”
Maddie grinned. “A complete outfit.”
“Damn that woman. Can’t follow a direct order to save her life. When I get there, I want you dressed the way I left you.”
“Just make sure you get here.” Her throat tightened.
“I’m properly motivated. See you soon.”
She hung up and brought a hand to her forehead. He’d be all right. They hadn’t come this far to lose it all.
Kaitlyn popped around the corner. “How about watching Bruce Willis kick some ass to kill time? I found a Die Hard movie.”
“Sure.” Maddie brought the pizza, took a seat on the couch, and plopped down beside Kaitlyn. Time dragged as they ate, her nerves on high alert.
She glanced at her watch. Almost eight. Scott was probably setting up for the meeting. Her frayed nerves stretched tighter.
Lucky pawed at the door to go out. Maddie stood. “I usually walk him about now.”
Kaitlyn shook her head. “Not tonight. Can you put some newspapers down for him to pee on?”
“No.” Maddie scratched her head. “He won’t randomly pee in the house because I put down a paper.”
Lucky whined at the door as if to emphasize her point.
Kaitlyn got up. “Poor dog. He doesn’t understand. Okay. I’ll take him out with you, but no walk. Scott wants us inside.”
“I hate this, but you’re right.” Maddie plucked Lucky’s leash from a hook. He yipped and chased his tail. Damn Victor for making her feel like a prisoner. She tucked her cell phone in the front pocket of her cargo pants and bent to ruffle the fur on Lucky’s head.
When she unlocked the door, Kaitlyn reached out and placed a hand on the knob. “Wait for me to check it out.”
“Okay, but I wish—”
“I have my orders. Please don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“I’m sorry. Of course.” Maddie sighed. “I’m pissed at Victor and taking it out on the wrong person.”
“I understand, but let me do a quick sweep.”
Maddie waited until Kaitlyn called from the bottom of the steps, “All clear.”
They walked to the back of the apartment complex. Tonight, Maddie wouldn’t mind having some people around, but the place was empty. She unsnapped Lucky’s leash. Kaitlyn stood alert beside Maddie, her gaze on the woods as Lucky sniffed the ground.
He didn’t trot to his regular spot by the edge of the forest. Instead, he kept sniffing around like he couldn’t find a place to go. He raised his head, and the whiskers on his snout twitched fast as if he’d caught a scent in the wind.
“He’s not used to you being here. Anything different disrupts his routine.” Maddie crossed her arms.
At last, Lucky made it to his spot. Maddie took a step toward the dog, but Kaitlyn grabbed her arm. “Stay here. I’ll pick it up.”
Kaitlyn jogged across the yard and stopped by Lucky.
A massive figure, dressed all in black, emerged from the forest.
Maddie’s stomach dropped to her feet as terror sparked every nerve in her body. She didn’t need to see his face. She knew the outline of his hideous body.
Victor. Holding a gun.
Kaitlyn had her back to him.
Maddie pointed and called out, “Behind you!”
While reaching for her weapon, Kaitlyn whirled around. A shot rang out as Victor fired point-blank at Kaitlyn’s chest. Her body flew back and landed with a thud on the ground, her head whacking hard against the cement slab of the grill area. Blood seeped from under her hair onto the concrete.
Someone screamed from an open apartment window above. “Oh my God. A shooter!”
Maddie’s knees buckled, and her heart seized. “Help. Help!”
Her gaze darted from Kaitlyn’s motionless form to the building.
Lucky’s ears flattened, and he bent his hind legs. He growled and barked as Victor quickly approached Maddie, a sneer on his evil face. “Save your breath. No one can help you now.”
He stopped in front of her, pointing the gun at her head. His cold, dead eyes stared down at her.
Panic welled inside her. He could kill her right there. Someone had heard him shoot Kaitlyn, but no one was rushing to the rescue. Without a weapon, Maddie didn’t stand a chance against him. Somehow she had to help Kaitlyn.
He moved behind her and clamped a hand over her mouth, pinning the back of her head to his chest. The cold metal tip of his gun pressed against her temple. “Enough yelling, bitch. You’re coming with me.”
“No.” She clawed at his iron grip and tried to grab the gun.
Lucky’s deep growl turned fierce. He charged Victor, who gave him a vicious kick. The dog yelped and flew across the yard to land in the grass with a thump. He didn’t get up.
A raging surge of adrenaline spurred Maddie. She tried to jerk her jaw loose and bite Victor’s hand, but he held it too tightly over her mouth. His clunky, gold rings mashed her lips against her teeth. Coppery blood seeped onto her tongue.
If she broke free, Victor would have to chase her away from Kaitlyn and the dog. The maniac might shoot again if either of them moved. She fought to wriggle loose but to no avail.
As he dragged her body into the woods, she glanced at Kaitlyn’s limp form not far from Lucky’s. Her heart split into pieces.
Victor shoved his gun into a pocket and grunted as he manhandled her through the trees. Thorns scratched her arms and legs. Limbs slapped her face. She was no match for his strength, but she still grasped for the trees and kicked her feet at his shins.
He stopped and squeezed her so hard she lost her breath.
“Fight all you want. I’m enjoying this. You won’t escape.”
His hot breath in her ear caused a wave of nausea to roll up from her stomach. Someone had to have called the police. It would be her fault if Kaitlyn died. She never would have been in the position to take a bullet if Maddie hadn’t double-crossed Victor.
On the move again, Victor hauled her deeper into the thick of the woods.
He was supposed to be at the meeting with Zach. Scott’s plan could be in jeopardy, and she had no way to warn him. Her gut heaved.
Again, Victor’s hot breath blasted in her ear. “You fucked with me. Now I’m gonna fuck with you.”
Sweat poured down her neck, soaked the back of her shirt, and mixed with the bastard’s sickening stench of overpriced cologne as they finally came to an opening where his Bentley sat.
He shoved her against the passenger side and pressed his body to hers, forcing the air out of her lungs. A wonder he hadn’t cracked her ribs.
Yet.
She fought to suck in a breath as he crushed her from behind. Scott said the beast had tortured and killed people. She had to be on the top of his hate list.
He yanked the door open, grabbed something from the seat, and wrenched her head back.
After stuffing a gag in her mouth, he slapped tape across her face. It pinched her cheeks. More blood pooled in her throat. She tried to cough, but the rag gagged her. If she barfed, she could die choking. Her stomach gurgled in response.
Victor roped her hands tightly behind her and shoved her into the back of the car.
“This should keep you quiet while I take care of business.” He slammed the door, got in the driver’s seat, and glanced back at her, a vicious gleam in his eyes that made her insides quake.