Page 85 of Still Afraid

So far it didn’t seem like Richard would be the type of villain to wax eloquently about his deeds. Though Josh would remind her this wasn’t one of her crime novels. She needed think like one of the heroes in those novels. How would they get themselves out of a situation like this?

Chloe and Aaron couldn’t run from a guy who’d told them he’d shoot them. They’d have to use the situation to their advantage. She took inventory of the space.

From what she could see, it appeared to be a high-end clothing store, but the stockroom was full of shelves with boxes, not clothing racks. That didn’t fit. She’d worked retail in high school, and this didn’t look at all like what she was used to. Was this place a cover for something more nefarious?

Aaron had never told her what he had stashed in her bag …

As Richard searched the shelves around the room, Chloe leaned close to Aaron. “What did you take?’

“Maybe a bit of drugs.”

“Aaron!” she whisper-yelled.

Richard turned toward them. “Yes, yes, your sweet baby brother stole some drugs right out from under my nose. He didn’t realize I saw. Now it’s time for him to learn a lesson. Sure, I’d like the product back, but that’s not even the point anymore.”

Aaron shifted in his seat. “Just let her go. She doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

Richard walked up to Aaron and pointed at him. “Oh, but she does. Because of you. You brought her into this.” Richard threw his hands in the air. “I’m flying by the seat of my pants here since I saw such a perfect opportunity present itself this evening. So I need to prepare. But I can’t have you two getting any ideas.” He searched another cabinet. “Here it is.” He grabbed some rope and tied them both to their folding chairs.

The possibility of escape dwindled.

“Now that you two are secured, I’m going to find some fun tools to teach you a lesson with.” He walked off and disappeared into the office.

Chloe’s lungs constricted. No, this was not a good time for a panic attack. But she couldn’t get on top of it. The mind-scrambling terror took root. She slammed her eyes shut against the tunneling vision, but that solved nothing.

She couldn’t breathe.

“Chloe?” Aaron’s voice felt so far away. “Chloe.”

God, help.

“Chloe, look at me.”

She opened her eyes and turned her head to Aaron.

“Give me a Bible verse.”

She fought the hyperventilating to get enough air to speak. “‘When … I am afraid … I put … my trust in You.’”

“That’s it. Breathe.”

Her breaths settled, as did her pulse.

She met Aaron’s gaze again. “How are we going to get out of this if I can’t even …”

“You’ll be fine. I’m sorry, Chloe. I can’t believe I dragged you into this. I didn’t mean to.”

“I know. But we’re here, and we’re gonna have to work together.”

He shook his head. “I deserve what’s coming. We just need to get you out of here.”

“I’m not leaving without you.”

“You might have to. If you have an opening, promise me you’ll take it and not look back.”

“You’re insane. You’re my brother, and I’m not leaving you to some mad man.”

He hung his head. “I deserve it. Let him kill me.”