Page 62 of Keep Me Safe
I shifted, twisting in the cramped space to extract the leather pouch, which was extra difficult with my hands bound together. I hurried, not knowing how much longer I’d have before we arrived wherever they were taking me.
I unzipped the top and my fingertips fumbled over the plastic cards, searching for the one without any raised numbers or aheavy chip . . . but I found something I wasn’t expecting. Soft paper with raised ink.
Shawn’s business card.
I shoved it in my bra.
When I found my ID, I hid it inside my shoe, so I’d be standing on it when I was upright. At least it wouldn’t be the first place someone would check if they decided to search me.
The hood was hot and I was sweating under it, but I didn’t dare take it off. I ran my hands around the space, assessing the trunk’s interior, but it was nothing more than smooth metal. They’d stripped it of carpet and its latch release.
It was forever before the car finally stopped, but once it did, it was too soon. I wasn’t ready for whatever was waiting for me on the other side. Whoever was waiting for me.
The night air wafted over me when the trunk opened, chilling my skin. Hands lifted me out, set me on my feet, and dragged me across grass. Up steps and onto a hard surface.
Once again, the hands lifted and shoved and I flew forward. This time I skidded to a stop across what felt like a bare mattress. I scrambled to sit upright as sharp footsteps approached, and I drew in a deep breath. The hood was yanked off, and the static from the fabric made my hair fly around wildly.
It took a moment to adjust to the light, but it wasn’t terribly bright in the large room. Only a single lantern hanging on a post. I sat on a grimy, bare mattress, in what looked like a barn that hadn’t been in use in years.
A man stood before me in a dark suit with no tie, the black hood in one hand and a gun in his other.
Juric.
There wasn’t a shred of doubt in my mind, even though he looked different from Jason’s picture. Older now, likely in his mid-thirties. He wore his tailored suit with confidence, anexpensive watch decorating a wrist, and his now blond hair was swept neatly to one side. He looked polished, professional.
He was as attractive as he was terrifying.
I shivered when his piercing gaze swept over me, evaluating the woman his men had brought him.
He turned to them, his expression giving nothing away. He leveled the gun at the leader, the one who had bound my wrists, and two sharp cracks ripped from his gun. The man beside the leader opened his mouth to protest, but he wasn’t quick enough.
Two more shots rang out, and both men left splatters of red on the wall behind them as they fell.
The strangled cry died in my throat.
Be strong. Don’t show fear.
Satisfied they were dead, Juric lowered his gun and turned his focus back to me.
His voice was soft and seductive, which was extra disorienting given his actions. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Kara.”
Blank. No thought was possible. I swallowed a sticky lump in my throat as my shock began to subside. He sounded American, and for some reason, that filled me with more unease. His piercing gaze didn’t seem disappointed or angry.
Oh, shit.He seemed almost excited.
“She couldn’t make it.” My voice sounded much stronger than I felt. “You’ll have to settle for me.”
“Settle for you?” The blue of his irises was a violent sea. “No, I’m not doing that.”
I drew a deep breath in through my nose and blew it out through my mouth, trying to keep myself calm. I was desperate not to choke on my panic. There was something in his face that was haunting and horrifying.
“Stand up, please.”
I reluctantly obeyed, slowly rising from the mattress. With the heels on, I was the same height as him, and he didn’t like that. His eyes narrowed. I wasn’t allowed to be equal; he was the one with the power.
“Take off your shoes,” he demanded.
I stepped out of them because it no longer mattered if he found my ID card. He already knew who I was.
