Page 5

Come on. Come on.

My fingers close around the canister as I reach the end of the alley.

I hurry onto the sidewalk, nearly crashing into a man climbing out of the back seat of a black car.

"Whoa. Easy there."

He catches my elbow before I fall, then releases me.

"Are you all right?"

He's older, with gray at his temples, a neatly trimmed beard, and a charcoal suit that probably costs more than my monthly rent.

He looks like one of the corporate attorneys I deal with at the courthouse.

Thank God.

Relief washes over me, and I loosen my grip on the pepper spray, letting it drop into my purse.

"Please, I need help." I glance behind me. "There's a man following me, and I think he's trying to kill me."

His expression turns serious.

"Are you hurt?"

"No, but I need to call the police. I was waiting for someone from a protection service, and then this huge man showed up, and..."

I swallow, struggling to catch my breath.

"Please."

"Easy, sweetheart. What's your name?"

"Kierra. Kierra Wilkinson."

His expression changes.

The concern disappears.

"There you are."

My blood turns cold.

"What?"

He reaches beneath his jacket.

The gun appears so quickly I barely register the movement before it's pressed against my side.

"Get in the car."

Oh, God.

For a second, I can't move.

The man smiles, but there's nothing reassuring about it anymore.

"Don't make me ask twice."