Dying wouldn’t help the little girl. At least Carys understood Stephanie’s dilemma now.
They made it in between two houses, away from Rumi.
“Do you think they know about Rumi?” Carys asked, trying to catch her breath as they ducked behind trash cans.
“I’m guessing they do,” he said, confirming her fear this Silus person might take out revenge on Rumi or force her to give out information about them. Fortunately, they hadn’t exchanged phone numbers. They barely knew each other’s identities and were on a first-name-only basis. That should protect her.
Or they might not believe her and think she was withholding information.
“We have to circle back and warn her,” Carys said.
“We don’t have time, and someone might already be there.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she said.
Blaize looked up at her and away from his screen. “I’m searching for a rental vehicle that’s parked nearby to give us a chance to get out of here in one piece. Circling back, as much as we might want to, could put Rumi in more danger. Leaving heralone might be the best way to keep her safe.” Rental cars were parked in the street and available for rent based on an app.
He was making good points. She realized that. He was being logical while she was riding on stress and emotion.
“Got one that’s two blocks away,” he said before locking gazes. “Say the word and we’ll head back to Rumi’s place. I want her to be safe as much as you do.”
“But you don’t like the idea of checking on her?”
“Not if it gives her information that would make someone want to torture her or draws more attention to her house,” he said.
A pair of male voices that were heading toward them in a hurry made the decision for them.
“There they are,” one of them said.
“We have to go,” Blaize urged.
Could they make it to the car now?
Chapter Twenty
Blaize was the faster runner. However the men chasing them could have weapons. There was no choice to make. He urged Carys to run in front. This way he could put some mass—himself—in between her and those bastards.
They darted in between houses, making a big zigzag in an attempt to put more distance between the jerks and them. Whoever was chasing them stopped talking. Were these the dudes from the SUV?
It dawned on him that no one was using guns. The night of the storm, the attacker didn’t break a window. Was he trying to scare Carys out of the car so he could snatch the baby? Blaize hoped like hell there wasn’t some kind of reward out there for anyone who brought the kid safely to Silus. That could bring more criminals out of the woodwork—anyone looking to make a quick buck.
Damn.This thing could escalate quickly. He needed to get a hold of Raiden and bring him up to speed. Whoever followed her to the ranch the other night might have put two-and-two together.
It also dawned on him that Raiden and Kit weren’t answering their phones.
Double damn.
Using the phone app, he unlocked the four-door white sedan as they rounded the corner. It was two vehicles away, and they were coming in on the driver’s side.
“Hop into the back seat to save time. Okay?” he said to Carys.
“I was just thinking the same thing,” she said.
“Don’t hesitate or look around—just go and then duck.”
“Got it,” she confirmed.
At the car, he slipped into the driver’s seat and grabbed the key from underneath the mat on the floorboard. Carys hopped into the back and disappeared. They were looking for a couple, so this move might buy a few extra critical seconds needed to escape.
