I not only didn’t get away, it didn’t feel good when the new guy tossed me into the van like I weighed nothing at all.
And it felt worse when he zip-tied my hands behind my back, my ankles together and gagged me. Part of that worse was that I struggled through this, but the other guy joined in, and I was no match.
By this time, the van was motoring.
There were three guys. Instep guy. Toss me around guy. And a driver.
None of them looked like Knox, however they were of an age they could be his brothers, but not his father.
Though, again, none of them looked like Knox, or for that matter, like Cynthia.
Not good.
I didn’t know who these people were.
And the Angels had stuck our noses in a variety of people’s business.
But I still had my purse over my shoulder, and the Nightingale Men tracked my phone.
So I was both hopeful this kidnapping wouldn’t last long, and terrified because, when he was told I’d been taken, my guy was going to lose his shit.
And I didn’t want him to get shot again.
The ride was long.
My guess, two hours.
Another guess, our destination was Tucson.
We were in a panel van, one used for hauling since there were no seats in the back.
I’d managed to roll to my ass and get in a position where I could rest my back against the side of the van, but this was not in the slightest bit comfortable. Especially since my bag was jammed between me and the van.
My ass began to hurt first. Then I knew my muscles were getting tight. The ties were cutting in at both wrists and ankles. And every bump or turn wasn’t fun.
Tex had given us penknives for this very situation, and he’d told us to keep them in our back pockets.
This was a good plan, and mine was in my back pocket (I was in jeans and a burnt-orange, ruffly blouse today). Except for when a guy was sitting across from you, keeping an eye on you. And even if you managed to free your hands, you then had to free your feet, and after that, you had nowhere to go except, if you got past them, tossing yourself onto a highway.
Therefore, that plan was out.
But I was keeping that knife in the back of my head for later.
It was dark by the time we got where we were going, and I was both tweaked the van stopped because I had no idea what lay before me, and relieved because I was going to be able to move.
They hauled me unceremoniously out of the van, and yes, I could confirm my body was one big ache from being in a single uncomfortable position for two hours.
One guy clipped my ankle ties so I could walk, and maybe I could have made a play for escape, but I had no idea where I was and therefore no idea where I should go.
It sucked, but I needed to get the lay of the land.
Jessie got kidnapped, but Javi did that (long story), so she was never in any danger.
Willow and Harlow got kidnapped, but a United States Congressman called for that play, so that was a little worrisome, but in the end, that was about a negotiation, not a hostage situation or…whatever this was.
I had no idea what I was in for.
And I’d admit it.
