Page 28 of Scarred Temptation

“Some are more dangerous than others. That’s why you should have walked away. Do you have any idea what those people are capable of?” she breathed. “Did you call the police?”

To answer her last question, I needed another sip of my wine first. Of course I’d gathered what they’d been capable of. I’d seen the evil in their eyes. There’d been a terrifying disparity between their relaxed calm facial expressions and the sheer cruelty flashing in their eyes.

“That’s the thing. No, I did not contact the police. When I knew Mina was safe in the arms of her uncle, and that he was really her relative, I escaped into the crowd. My instinct told me that’s what I should do.”

She sat back. “I don’t know much about the school except for the children come from the upper echelon of society. I believe at least one senator has a child in attendance and I think the chief of police has twins who were recently enrolled. Any one of them could have targets on their backs. Kidnapping for ransom.”

“You seem to know a lot about the school’s rich clientele.”

“Don’t forget where the hospital where I work is located. I’m lucky enough to tend to the scraped knees of children of the rich and famous while bodyguards and nannies stand by tapping their fingers on their watches. They are a different breed.”

Excellent verbiage to use.

My bestie was a nurse in a hospital close to where I lived. With several upper scale neighborhoods surrounding the more eclectic streets where my apartment was located, she could also say she catered to the rich and famous. “So you’re suggesting kidnapping attempts are normal?”

Her nose wrinkled long before she laughed. “Well, what better way to collect a hefty ransom. Maybe you should still call the police.”

“You know what’s strange? Something tells me I shouldn’t and I don’t know why.”

“Did they threaten you?”

“The first group of thugs or the second rolling up in bulletproof high-dollar SUVs?”

“Maybe both. I cannot believe you went through something so horrible. What is wrong with people?”

I thought about her question. “Both groups are dangerous, but they don’t have any idea about my identity. None.”

“Well, okay then. But maybe you should consider walking in the opposite direction away from the school from now on.” She bumped my arm with hers, offering a smile even though the concern had created lines in her face.

“Maybe you’re right, but stop worrying. Let’s enjoy a couple drinks so I can finally relax.” I wanted to laugh off what had happened or at least put it somewhere in the back of my mind where I could move on with my life. I’d likely never see Mina or her uncle again.

Unless I made a point of checking on her.

I’d managed to compartmentalize what had happened, finally relaxing enough to enjoy our time together.

An hour later, the rush of adrenaline I’d carried like a badge of honor had begun to fade, exhaustion settling in. I needed to push past my apprehension, or I’d allow the unknown assailants to take control of my life, which was reprehensible and ridiculous in and of itself. If the little girl could find courage in the arms of significant danger, I could return to my life without constantly looking over my shoulder.

Even if I had plans on installing a new deadbolt.

I said my goodbyes, heading out into the night. The humid air always seemed present, the light breeze barely giving any relief. There were dozens of scents, the sweet essence of various cultures of food, including whatever fried fish had been the catch of the day for the famous local seafood restaurant just down the street.

Given it was Friday night, there were dozens of people enjoying the outdoors.

The city never slept, always energized with tourists or locals. The area sounds just lowered an octave, creating a warm inviting buzz. Sirens wailed blocks away, muted by the vibrancy of conversations, while the steady, rhythmic sounds of footsteps from people eager to get to their destination echoed in my ears. The moment felt like a chaotic lullaby, a reminder that even with hundreds of people everywhere, it was possible to feel entirely alone.

I tugged my purse closer as I headed past the restaurant to the corner of the building and to the parking lot on the side, a perpendicular street flanking the length. I was forced to sidestep a group of girls, all laughing and chatting while ignoring everyone else. The move almost pitched me into the street.

A flash of headlights caught my peripheral vision, the asshole driver using their brights. I could also tell from the way the driver had gunned the engine that the person was going at a higher rate of speed. The street was full of people and cars.

I moved farther away from the sidewalk, able to turn left to head into the parking lot when an instinct I’d always trusted kicked in.

Something terrible was about to occur.

Two men in dark suits were about to cross the street from the other side of the road parallel to the parking lot, heading in my direction. Every hair on my arms stood up, and the world suddenly snapped into a terrifying, hyper-focused slow motion. My heart hammered against my ribs, screaming at me to move, yet I was frozen, acutely aware of the absolute silence that precedes a tragedy.

Everything happened quickly, although in the darkest reaches of my mind, it felt as if everything had drifted into slow motion.

The men had stepped off the curb, moving closer.