Page 16 of Chasing Amanda

She turned to face him. “Okay.”

“I’m sorry I took off so fast yesterday.”

“Why did you?”

“I saw the guy from Thursday night.”

“What?” She stiffened like over-whipped eggs. “Are you sure?”

“He was standing in a doorway across the street, watching the deli. He must’ve seen me get up because he was on the move by the time I got outside. I followed, but he turned down an alley and disappeared. I lost him.”

“What would you have done if you’d caught up with him?”

He glanced at her but didn’t answer.

“Are you…?” Her voice was high again, like a scared little girl. She cleared her throat. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sorry.” He shot a look her way. “I wish I’d caught him.”

She folded her arms and leaned forward, trying to stave off a wave of nausea. How had he found her?

“Do you want me to take you home?” Mark’s gaze flicked to her.

She shook her head. Couldn’t speak yet.

“Are you sick?”

She pulled in a deep breath through her nose, blew it out through her mouth. She did it again and again until her stomach settled. “I’m fine.”

At a red light, Mark studied her. “You sure?”

“Yup. It’s just…”

After a moment, he said, “Yeah.” He reached behind her seat and grabbed something. “I got this for you.”

He plopped a paper sack on her lap. When the light turned green, he pulled forward and angled up an on-ramp.

She pulled out a small, pink can. “What is this?”

“Pepper spray. It’s easy to use. Just point and shoot.”

She turned the can over in her hands. “Is this legal?”

“In all fifty states. Aim for his eyes. It’ll blind him, and the pain will stop him and give you time to run.”

“That makes sense.”

“There’s something else in the bag.”

She pulled out a smaller item—a key chain. “Push the button.”

She did, and an ear-piercing sound filled the car. They both winced while she fumbled with it.

Mark took it from her and pushed the button again. The sound stopped.

“Wow.” Her hands trembled when she took the key chain from him again.

“If you see the guy—or anybody threatens you—use that. And scream.”