She jumped out and ran to the back door of Krish’s car and launched herself in just as she heard a few pops and glass shattering. Krish didn’t even wait for her to close the door before he reversed and peeled out and away. She reached out, groping for the door handle, and slammed it closed behind her. There was another pop, and the back glass shattered.
Shehatedguns.
“Stay down,” Krish growled.
He didn’t need to tell her twice. Sejal found her balance and crouched on the floor of the back seat, closing her eyes. The pops and pings stopped after a few moments. Their ride evened out, got smoother. She focused on her breathing, trying to keep that adrenaline from taking her over again.
Good girl. You stayed calm and collected. You are tough. You don’t need anyone.
Except Krishhadsaved her again, and that was annoying. Not annoying because she was alive, but because it was a slippery slope to liking someone who kept saving you. The last thing she needed was to get soft on Krish.
Sohe helped you out of a jam and gave you sweatpants. He also tried to seduce you and has essentially kidnapped you. Never forget the kidnapping!
“You can get up now. His car isn’t in any shape to follow us right away.”
Sejal’s legs were long enough that she couldn’t gracefully get out of her crouched position. She rose and clambered into the front seat, trying not to touch him. Even then, her hip brushed Krish’s shoulder. He jerked away, which didn’t hurt her feelings in the slightest.
Oh, yeah. And he hated her family and everything they stood for, so shereallycouldn’t get soft on this guy.
They made their way back to the freeway. Sejal buckled her seat belt, though the protection it provided seemed laughable after what they’d already dealt with. Still, it would suck to escape from a madman with a gun and then be done in because of a car accident. “What,” she said hoarsely, “took you so fucking long?”
“What are you talking about?” Krish didn’t take his gaze from the road. His hands were wrapped properly around the wheel, at ten and two, as usual. “I came after you immediately.”
“It took you forever.”
“It took me minutes.” His fingers flexed. There was a cut on one of his hands, she presumed from glass. Their windshield had multiple bullet holes in it.
“That was not minutes.” It had been an eternity. Surely she’d been walking across that parking lot with Viktor for an hour at least.
What is wrong with you?
She took stock. Yes. She was furious.
Furious because he’d made her think that he wasn’t coming to help her, and then furious that he had, stepping over her bargain basement expectations of him.
“It was minutes. I had minutes to come up with a plan that would incapacitate that guy long enough for us to get away and not have him follow us immediately. Thank God he didn’t have time to tie you up.”
She rubbed her wrists, the cold metal still burning her. Funny how Krish’s cuffs hadn’t felt quite so oppressive.
Because you know what Alexei and Viktor are capable of. Worse than your mother,definitely worsethan an FBI agent who loansyouhis clothes.“He cuffed me,” she said. “But I’d already worked my way out by the time you showed up.”
“Of course you had.”
His voice was without inflection, so she couldn’t tell if that was an insult or a compliment.
“I’m impressed, Agent Anand.”
“By what?”
“By your cool. You have ice in your veins. Must be your elite training.”
He checked his rearview mirror. “Must be.”
She pulled in a deep breath and tried to think. The front and back windows, plus two of the passenger-side windows, were shattered, and the front of their car was crumpled. “But your plan had to involve ruining our only transport?”
“You should see the other guy.”
She looked over her shoulder. She might stay with her head swiveled around for the indefinite future. “How did you know I didn’t go willingly with him?” Given how she’d wandered off last night, she was surprised he hadn’t thought of that possibility.
