If I crossed that, I only had to jog two more streets to make it to the main road. I could do this.
With care to muffle my footsteps, I continued on my route, my ears pricked though I still couldn’t pick up the sound of running. Maybe the men were being as quiet as I was. Or they’d taken a different path and I’d thrown them off my scent.
Or they’d jump out and ambush me at the end.
The lane opened up where the gardens ended and the lawn of the last property began. I hopped a broken fence and made my way past flowerbeds. Roses, waiting for spring so they could bloom.
The large, square building sat plumb in the middle of the plot, the windows closed against the cold. I skirted to the front, pausing at the corner to check there was no one waiting for me.
Except there was.
A matte-black car idled at the kerb. As if knowing I was going to pop out right here, Kane leaned his fine backside against his car, sin with a side of smugness.
It was too late to hide. He’d seen me. Of course the universe would send me a kidnapper instead of a knight.
With wide eyes, I approached him. Then I froze. Terrible thoughts chased my panic. “Did you send those men after me?”
The huge gangster stopped moving. “What men?”
I didn’t answer, not trusting him an inch. It sounded ridiculous out loud, but so did “I was kidnapped by you yesterday,” and that still happened.
I glanced back, sure they’d burst out at any second. Did I run back or try to get past Kane?
Rock, hard place.
He pushed off his ride. “Is someone chasing ye?”
“Other than you?”
Kane’s eyes darkened. “Get in the car, Lovelyn.”
“You know, some people just say hello.”
“Do it.”
A laugh escaped my lips. “Do I look crazy?”
From my squawk, I sounded it.
Movement to the left caught my eye. On the street behind Kane, the scrawny guy strolled. With a side-eye at my kidnapper, he passed where I still hadn’t moved but didn’t even peep my way. A few houses on, he went inside, greeting someone loudly.
I breathed through parted lips. Had that been a coincidence? The men just happened to be in this neighbourhood because…they lived here?
Or, they’d seen Kane and assumed I was already claimed in the terrifying man department.
Paranoia closed in tight.
“Was it him? What happened? Did he say something to ye?” Kane’s focus remained on the house the stranger had disappeared into.
“He tried to abduct me,” I quipped. “Oh wait, that was you.”
By degrees, my fear receded and my brain took over what had been fight or flight. I gave up my position at the elderly person’shome wall and exited to the pavement. Kane stood taller, turning with me when I walked straight past his car.
“What are ye doing?” he said.
“I have somewhere to be that isn’t anywhere near you.”
“You’re seeing my sister at the warehouse. I’m going there as well.”
