Page 91 of Dragon Charmed

Tessa hung up the phone and called Megan since that was the only number she could remember without her cell.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Megs. I’m surprised you answered an unknown number. Thought I would be leaving you a message.”

“Tessa. Marilyn found your cell phone on the kitchen counter earlier and gave it to me. I figured you might reach out to me another way. I have already answered two calls today about my car warranty expiring and about being audited by the IRS. You owe me.”

“Sorry. I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be late for dinner. I just got a call from Nadia at Connor’s gallery. Connor wants to meet with me. He may have a lead on Mia.”

“That’s great. But I don’t like the idea of you meeting with him alone.”

“I’ll be fine. The only vibes I got from Connor the other day were about him wanting to make money. If he found someone who can connect us with Mia, all the better. I’m meeting him at his gallery. As soon as I’m done and back in my car, I’ll give you a call.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

Tessa pulled into the parking lot, but before she could get out of her car, Nadia came out the front door and waved at her as she walked to the passenger side.

Tessa rolled down the window. “Where’s Connor?”

Nadia leaned over. “He’s finishing up with a customer. He wanted me to give you this.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a gun.

Holy shrimp and grits.

Nadia climbed into the car. “Drive.”

Tessa’s stomach tumbled. “What’s going on, Nadia?”

Nadia faced Tessa with a cold stare. “Start the car and drive now.”

Tessa started the car and backed out of the space, her mind spinning at how she was going to get away from Nadia.

“Drive around to the back of the building.”

Her hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel. “Why are you doing this?”

“I’m finding out what game you’re playing.” She looked Tessa up and down. “I wasn’t mistaken the other day. I did sense you.”

What did that mean? “Sense me?”

“Don’t play dumb. Stop by that van.”

That van was one of those windowless vans that serial killers used. Nope, she wasn’t getting in that van.

She slammed her foot on her brake, and Nadia jerked forward in her seat since she wasn’t wearing a belt. Tessa jumped out of the car and took off running.

A large hand grabbed her shoulder.

Her self-defense training kicked in. Tessa elbowed backward, heard a satisfying “umph,” and then stomped down on his foot with her wedge sandals.

She spun around and kicked him in the groin. He stumbled back and bent over and she ran around him, but Nadia was now out of the car, pointing the gun at her.

“Enough! Get in the van.”

Tessa screamed. The guy grabbed her and threw her roughly into the back of the van and slammed the door shut. Payback for black-and-blue balling him, probably. She scrambled to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked.

Nadia climbed into the passenger seat, and the guy ran around to the driver’s seat and jumped in. He put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot. Tessa fell back as he took a turn too fast.

“Slow down,” Nadia barked. “We don’t need to attract any cops.” She turned to Tessa and made a motion with the gun. “Sit down against the side with your knees up.”