Chapter Forty-One

Lauren Dianetti stood next to her friend Brittney in line, waiting for their turn at the counter. She usually didn’t indulge in fast food but right now, if she didn’t get a Big Mac and an order of fries, she would faint.

She and Britt were conducting a summer cheerleading camp at her step-mom Jac’s fitness club. They'd just spent half an hour lecturing students from around the state on the benefits of eating healthy and staying fit. She hoped none of the kids showed up to witness her not practice what she preached, but the scent of hot, fresh fries almost made her not care.

They placed their orders, Britt chatting away happily the entire time. The freckle-faced clerk slid the tray across the counter, trying his best to flirt with her. Lauren smiled her thanks, picked it up and turned to find a seat. The restaurant was crowded but not packed so there were open tables scattered around the dining area.

Lauren grabbed a straw and napkins and filled her plastic cup with diet soda. She lifted her tray and proceeded to find a seat. Her steps faltered when she saw a strange man sitting in a booth with a small child beside him.

The child was Isabella Bradley.

Bella sat still as a statue, her eyes wide with terror. The Happy Meal in front of her was untouched while the man beside her wolfed down a burger and fries.

Lauren had never seen the man before and a cold tendril of fear raced down her spine. Horrible flashbacks to the time she was almost abducted by a child molester assailed her. She'd been lucky—her dad found her before the man could force her into his car.

Lauren’s gaze found Bella and her jaw clenched with determination. She would make darn sure Isabella was lucky, too. She wouldn't let anything happen to the girl.

She shoved her tray at Brittney. “Take this and go call the police.”

Britt fumbled with the trays, attempting to arrange both orders on one. “What? Why?”

“Shh,” Lauren admonished, not taking her eyes off Isabella. “I don’t have time to explain. Just do it…please.”

She grabbed her keys and positioned one in her hand to use as a weapon if needed. Britt scurried off, the food teetering precariously in one hand, the other digging in her purse for her cell phone.

Pasting a smile on her face, Lauren approached the table. “Hey there Bella-Bella.”

The girl’s wide eyes whipped to Lauren and relief washed over her tiny face. A big fat tear spilled over and Lauren almost jammed her key in the man’s eye. He froze, a fry halfway to his mouth.

“Wauren,” Isabella whispered, hopeful.

Lauren smiled at Bella's nickname since she couldn't pronounce her name yet. She glanced at the man out of the corner of her eye. His posture changed from relaxed to alert and he stared at her suspiciously. Every warning bell within a one hundred mile radius rang in her head. She had to get Isabella away.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. My name is Lauren.”

She extended a hand at the man. He looked reluctant but shook hers back.

“Mi…ah…Bob,” he said.

“Miahbob, what an unusual name.” Lauren smiled sweetly at the man. When he continued to eye her guardedly, she cleared her throat.

“Isabella honey, you look like you really need to use the little girl’s room. Why don’t you come with me and I’ll take you.”

“Hey…” The man made a grab for the girl but she'd slid under the table and launched herself at Lauren.

Lauren hugged the little girl to her chest and turned to run. “Hold on tight, Bella.” Bella locked her arms around Lauren’s neck and her legs around her back.

“Someone stop her. She’s kidnapping my daughter!”

Lauren ignored the man’s cries and kept going. Keys in hand, she punched the button to unlock her car door as she pushed through the exit. A hand grabbed her hair from behind, jerking her back. She stumbled, but kept a hold of Bella. Without stopping to think, she swung her leg back and landed a solid kick into the man’s groin. He howled in rage and she tore out through the parking lot.

Thank you Luke for teaching me that move.

She chanced a look over her shoulder and realized the man rolling around in agony on the ground was not Miahbob, but some Good Samaritan who must have thought she really was kidnapping Bella.

“Sorry,” she shouted sincerely to the man moaning with anguish, his hands clasped between his legs, his face red with pain.

The door slammed open behind him and Miahbob burst through.

Lauren’s eyes widened and she resumed her sprint for the car. A sharp crack sounded and something slammed into her back, knocking her forward and the breath from her lungs. One hand covered Bella’s head as her other arm slowly went numb. Her vision blurred and she stumbled, going down to one knee. She felt cold liquid coating her back but she pushed on. This was too important…she had to get Bella to safety.

Two more cracks rang out but Lauren didn’t feel anything. If they hit her, she was too dazed to feel them.

Sirens blared in the distance and if she could just make it a few steps further, she could get Bella safely in the car. But she could barely breathe. She couldn't seem to pull air into her lungs. Darkness closed in and she felt as if she were looking through a tunnel. The sirens stopped and she heard shouting that sounded like it came from a great distance.

“Oh God no, Lauren! He shot you! He shot you!” Brittney wailed. “Somebody help us! She’s been shot.”

Lauren’s legs wouldn’t support her and Bella anymore. She sank to the ground, Brittney’s arms helping her down. Lauren hugged Isabella, fighting off the blackness that tried to overtake her until her vision was limited to two small pinpricks of light.

Someone tried to pry Isabella from her grip.

“No,” she whispered fiercely and hugged the girl tighter.

“Ma’am, I’m a paramedic. We need to treat your injury. You’ve been shot.”

“He’s gone, Lauren,” Brittney assured her. “The man who shot you got away.” When she still refused to let go of Bella, she added, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her.”

“Promise me, Britt, you won’t give her to anyone but her dad. L-Logan,” she gritted out.

“Okay,” Britt sniffed.

“Promise,” Lauren whispered.

“I promise…oh God, Lauren. I promise.”

Lauren felt the weight lifted, literally as Britt scooped Bella into her arms and figuratively, knowing the little girl was safe.

She closed her eyes and gave in to the darkness.