I quashed down the sense of panic threatening to overwhelm me.No time for nerves.I had to get out of here.
The key sounded loud in the lock.Then the knob turned.
The door started to open with an ear-splitting screech of rusty hinges.I held the bottle a little tighter, the broom handle in my other hand.
Just a few more seconds.I needed to splash this directly in his face.
The kidnapper’s head appeared in the gap, and I flung the liquid without letting go of the bottle.
He let out an ear-piercing shriek, stumbling backward.“The bitch blinded me!”
I dodged around him and out the open doorway, the bottle and broom handle both still gripped tight.
The second man was less than two steps behind the first and I flung the remainder of the liquid at him, dropping the empty jug.Clutching the broom handle in both hands, I sprinted for the door to freedom as the men cursed, pawing at their faces.
I wasted precious seconds struggling with the door before it gave way with a jarring jolt.Yanking it open, I dashed outside and looked around wildly for somewhere to hide.I could already hear the kidnappers regrouping.
Did they have guns?Probably.Would they shoot me?I didn’t plan to find out.
I sprinted across the unkempt yard toward the tree line.Although the footing would be easier, I knew better than to follow the driveway.They’d expect that.
A slight gap in the thick brush to the right of me indicated a path, most likely used by deer or other creatures.I scooted into it, ducking to avoid the overhanging branches that reached out to snare my clothing.The smell of damp undergrowth filled my nostrils.
I was free!
I felt a pang of remorse at the absence of Diego.Why had I followed instructions and left him behind?Normally he would be running just ahead of me, warning me of danger.They would have killed him though.He would have tried to protect me, and they wouldn’t have hesitated to shoot him.Better that he was home and safe with Sasha.
I paused for a moment to look around.Nothing seemed familiar, not the tree groupings or the outcroppings of rock.Where was I?I’d been unconscious on the way here, so I had no idea how far they’d brought me.Would this path lead me back to civilization and safety, or further into the mountains?
It didn’t matter.For now, I just needed to put some distance between me and my captors.I automatically reached into my pocket for my cell phone, groaning when my hand closed on empty air.
Dumb.Of course they’d taken it from me, otherwise, I’d have been able to call for help.I should have bought one of those smart watches last year when I’d been admiring them.They were pricey, but they had GPS, Wi-Fi, and mapping on them.At the time, I had no idea I’d ever be in a situation like this and decided against it.They might have overlooked a watch.
The path took a sharp turn to the right, and I followed it.Veering off into the thick brush would slow me down too much.I needed to put as much distance between me and that cabin as I could.Fast!
Chapter Fourteen
Ryland
A high-pitched scream erupted from the cabin, followed by the front door bursting open.Kimberly appeared, glancing around wildly before she ran.
Away from me.Fuck.She was headed in the wrong direction.
“Over here!”I risked hollering, not sure who was left in the cabin.I hated working blind.
She didn’t hesitate, plunging into the bush.She obviously hadn’t heard me.Diego tensed at the sight of his mistress, and I let go of his collar, urging him to go to her.
By now, Kimberly had disappeared into the woods, and Diego bounded across the clearing to follow her.I pivoted my attention as two guys stumbled out of the cabin, cursing and rubbing their eyes.
What the hell?
I pulled my gun and aimed a warning shot at their feet as they looked wildly around the clearing.Staying out of sight, I yelled.“Hands up where I can see them.”
“Fuck that!”The one closest to the door scrambled back inside, pulling his buddy with him and slamming the door shut.
I pulled out the secure phone, thankful there was cell service in the area.Impatiently, I worked through the connection protocols, and William came online.I didn’t bother with niceties.“I have the two guys that took my woman holed up in a cabin in the mountains.I need backup, or the okay to take care of it my way.”
William knew what I meant by that.“Is the woman okay?”
