My hand subconsciously inches towards my knife on my hip. I got my old one out of the Hilux too before we left so it’s on the other side in the lining of my jeans. It’s thin enough that it’s not perceptible to the human eye. Thankfully the security guard doesn’t pay me enough attention to see the faint outline of the one Drake gave me through my loosely fitting shirt.
Helen picked one of the centres about an hour from home. It’s surprising big. Thankfully, it also doesn’t have scanners. Those are rare around here though.
We wait in line and get our coffees.
I sip my caramel latte as we walk past a few shops. It’s good, but not as good as the one Maverick made for me the other day.
My eyes glaze over the crowd but stop when I think I feel someone staring at me. My gaze snaps back but I don’t see anyone.
“Jace said you need more of everything.” Helen directs me towards a line of shops. I shake off the feeling of fear creeping up inside me.
“Pretty such,” I tell her. “I definitely need some shoes for around home. I think Dom wanted to get me some boots.”
We talked about doing some things at his parents place, maybe going horse riding. I’m excited for that. I’ve never been horse riding before—it looks really cool.
“I know just the place.” Helen detours, linking our arms.
A few hours later, my arms are heavy from carrying bags and I’m immensely tired but I never knew shopping was fun. Or maybe Helen just makes things fun.
“Let me take those.” Helen takes my bags despite my protests. “Do you want to get us another coffee while I put these in the car? Then we can look for some boots.”
We had found the boot place earlier but got distracted by planning what I was getting Alec and we never got around to buying anything.
I see that the place we went to this morning is pretty busy so I venture down to a quieter section of the shopping centre where I thought I saw another coffee place.
My phone rings in my pocket and I keep walking to a quiet spot near the back doors to answer.
“Hey, Luci!”
“Hey, gorgeous. Having fun?” Luc asks.
“Uh-huh! We’re just getting a coffee, then we’ll go find some boots and come home,” I tell him. I keep an eye out for Helen so I can wave her over.
“Are you becoming a coffee addict?” Luc teases.
“Blame Maverick.” I laugh when I hear Mav protest in the background. I must be on speaker.
“Okay, well, I don’t want to interrupt. I was just calling to check up on you,” Luc says sweetly and my heart melts.
“Awww, such a romantic.” I remember our conversation from last night and Luc chuckles.
I spot Helen and raise my arm above my head. She waves back but even from the distance I see her smiling face turn to horrified. I frown at her terrified expression and glance around.
“Rory?” I hear Luc in the background.
“Something’s wr—“
A hand covers my mouth as the phone is forced away from my ear.
I panic for two seconds before remembering myself and slam my elbow into their gut.
I hear an ‘ompf’ before two strong arms are wrapped around me, pining my arms to my sides. My phone clatters to the ground.
I use my foot to press the red circle on the lock screen of the phone before stomping down on their foot. Their grip on me turns bruising.
“Hey! Let her go!” Helen runs towards me but she’s too far away to do anything.
“Shit!” A deep voice growls. “Stay still, bitch.”
