Or forgiven.
That’s why I had to see this through, no matter what I was forced to endure. I was her guardian angel and it was about time I started acting like it.
Sudden headlights grabbed my attention. Exhaling, I stepped from the car, sliding the keys into the fanny pack I’d brought with me. I hadn’t known what to expect, wearing jeans and a tee shirt.
With no instructions given, to hell with them if they weren’t happy.
I stood where I was as a dark van pulled to a stop a few feet away. Just like the lights from the day before, the headlights made me unable to make out any features of the person driving. He remained where he was, the engine idling.
Suddenly, I heard a noise. A slam of the side door. Boots on the ground.
Before I knew what was happening, three huge figures advanced, their faces covered in dark ski masks.
I knew instantly I’d made a huge mistake.
When one goon grabbed my arm, I managed a single scream before a bag was shoved over my face and I was ripped off the ground.
“I’d advise you to shut up, bitch, or you won’t like what will happen to you.”
CHAPTER 2
Kendrick
“Damn it.”
As the heavy morning traffic on I-95 whizzed by, Miami commuters eager to face the day, I was busy cursing the powerful engine of my beloved Corvette.
With it sputtering and knocking, I barely made it off the highway. I’d put off having my baby serviced for far too long. At least I had a mechanic on standby. Thankfully, the gleaming windows of my office building loomed in the near distance.
As soon as I rolled into the parking lot, I smashed my fist against the steering wheel. Up until a few months ago, I’d managed to take care of my aging baby, seeing to every need, whether unexpected or for routine maintenance. I blamed my grueling schedule for shirking my duties.
Snatching the keys, I stepped into the humid air, immediately yanking at my confining tie. Even before I closed the door, I made a call to my on-call mechanic.
“Trouble in paradise again?” Harry laughed even as he answered.
“Very funny.” I struggled to yank my briefcase from behind the seat, leering at the building reflected in the hazy sun. Another grinding day. “Can you squeeze her in?”
“Need a tow?”
“If you can swing it.”
“Yeah, for an officer of the court I can do anything.” Harry was only so amiable since I’d kept his ass out of jail.
“Can you have it back this afternoon? I have a card game tonight.”
“Well, dear God. I wouldn’t want to interrupt your famous card game. I’ll get it done. But you owe me this time.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, slamming the door. “Put it on my tab.”
After shoving my phone in my jacket pocket, I glanced at my watch. Thirty fucking minutes late. That wasn’t like me. I jogged toward the entrance, pushing my way past employees, all rushing toward the elevators.
At least I wasn’t the only one fighting time.
I took a deep breath, trying to remember what I had on my agenda. At least there were no court appearances.
The moment the elevator reached the top floor, I pushed past everyone else, receiving a couple of nasty looks when I did.
As soon as I’d taken two steps into the sprawling office, my legal assistant appeared as if from a puff of smoke.
