Archer shifted closer instinctively. “Stay near me.”
“I am near you,” I snapped, my nerves jangling.
We stepped onto the sidewalk.
That’s when I heard the engine.
Too fast. Too close.
Thankfully, Archer moved before my brain caught up.
“Down!”
He grabbed me around the waist and yanked me backward just as headlights flared—white, blinding—and a dark-colored car jumped the curb where I’d been standing a mere second earlier.
The impact never came, because Archer had already thrown us out of its path.
We hit the pavement hard. Pain exploded through my shoulder, and I silently cried out, the breath knocked clean out of me. Tires screeched. The car swerved, missing us by inches, then tore off down the street.
Gone.
Just like that.
Archer was on his feet instantly, dragging me upright, spinning in a full circle to place me between the building’s exterior and himself as he scanned the street, the cars, probably every little shadow.
“Can you stand?” he demanded.
“I—I think so.” Except my legs shook violently. My heart relentlessly pounded until I thought it might break my ribs.
“That wasn’t an accident,” I whispered with certainty.
“No,” he grimly agreed. “It wasn’t.”
He guided me toward the SUV parked across the street, shielding me with his body. My hands were trembling so badly I could barely make my fingers push my hair out of my face.
“They knew I’d be here,” I uttered, horror creeping up my spine. “They knew I’d go see Isabella.”
“Yes.”
“How? Are they still following me?”
“Possibly. Except I believe it’s more likely because they were the ones behind your friend’s accident,” Archer muttered as he kept me moving, one foot in front of the other. “They weren’t reacting. They were anticipating.”
I pressed a hand to my stomach, panic roaring through me. “The baby?—”
“You’re fine,” he immediately assured me, softer now, which surprised me. “I’ve got you.”
Once we were inside the vehicle, with the doors locked, Archer pulled out his phone. He started the SUV and pulled out of our spot.
“Maksim,” he stated the second the call connected. “Attempt made. Vehicle strike. Hospital exit. She’s unharmed. We’re moving now.”
That was when I realized he had intentionally not connected the phone to the Bluetooth. Still, I could hear something violent and feral on the other end even without the speaker.
Archer listened, nodded once. “Understood.”
He hung up and turned to me. “We’re changing locations. Now. Maksim will gather your belongings from the house and meet us.”
Tears finally spilled over. “Oh my God. They hurt my friend. They followed me to the hospital.”
