Page 11 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“Maybe not, but I’m the safer choice than you hiding in this place, alone and unprotected.”

Her voice was barely audible as she pleaded, “Let me go.”

“I can’t.” Rick lifted Kaylee to her feet with his free hand and held out her jacket when she was steady. She slipped it on, but before Kaylee could make a decision to run again, Rick took hold of her arm and led her out of the alleyway. The icy breeze needled her face as they stepped out into the street, the buildings no longer blocking the wind.

Rick stopped, his eyes flaring wide, and Kaylee followed his gaze to a white sedan sporting a bright yellow boot. Karma was real.

“Should have made sure it wasn’t a tow-away zone,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, overriding her fear.

She watched him scan the area, locking on to whatever he was searching for. He tugged her wrist. “Come on.”

Kaylee had no choice but to follow along. It was either that or make a scene, and if she did, there was a good chance she’d be recorded and uploaded to social media. She could see it now.

Woman seen trying to escape man who turns out to be a federal agent.

Ansel and his gang would find her for sure.

Kaylee realized that Rick had spotted Officer Paulette Banks and her white ATV Razor, the police-issue lights flashing on top. As they approached, he adjusted his hand so that it was holding hers as if they were a loving, happy couple.

What a crock of shit.

Still, his warm palm against hers chased away the cold, reminding her of the night she’d taken off. A moment passed between the two of them, just before she launched her plan of action. They were so close, his mouth so lush as he’d wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

Despite the voice in her head screaming to trust him, Kaylee knew it would never work. She’d never get involved with anyone in law enforcement after what happened to Elasia.

Besides, look at him now, trying to bully her into risking her life. What a swell guy.

“Hello, Officer—” He paused, reading her badge. “Banks. I saw you placed a boot on my car, and I wanted to apologize. I’m new in town and didn’t see the signs. Can I pay you directly for the ticket?”

Paulette was a nearly six-foot-tall Black woman with brown hair and eyes, and those dark orbs were staring blankly at Rick. Only her mouth, twisted in a disapproving frown, gave away her irritation.

“The sign is three feet in front of your car.”

Kaylee covered her mouth with her free hand, hiding her snicker. Rick turned around, looking back to where his car was parked, and whistled. “So it is.”

Paulette snorted, ripping a ticket from her pad and placing it on the windshield of the Tesla in front of her. “And all tickets must be paid at the courthouse, which opens Monday at eight.”

“I can’t do that,” Rick said, his voice oozing with sincerity. “We need to be on the road soon.” He held up their connected hands, beaming at her. “There are a lot of people waiting on us.”

Paulette’s shrewd gaze swung Kaylee’s way. “How do you know him?”

“I—”

“We went to college together,” Rick butted in.

Paulette’s eyes narrowed, her voice ice-cold. “I didn’t ask you. I asked her. Kaylee?”

“This is Rick.” He squeezed her hand warningly, and she smiled wickedly. “He’s trying to take me against my will. He’s completely obsessed. Been stalking me for over two years.”

“Whoa, now, that’s not—”

Paulette unclipped her taser and pointed it at Rick. “Let me see your hands!”

“Not again!” Rick lifted his hands, releasing Kaylee, who took several steps back and noticed curious faces pressed against some of the businesses’ windows. She pulled up the hood of her jacket, obscuring her face in case any of them decided to whip out their cells.

Paulette still had Rick on the defensive, scowling at the officer. “I’m a federal agent.”