Page 71 of Abandoned

He laughed and shook his head. “Hold on.”

She tightened her arms around his waist.

He told his Bluetooth to call 911, then revved the engine before taking off.

Rainie took the next turn away from Walmart. Likely they had also spotted the cops that filled the parking lot.

Logan kept his distance but didn’t let them make a turn he didn’t spot.

About three minutes later, two squad cars blocked the road ahead with officers out and guns drawn.

Logan pulled into a driveway, out of the other officers’ line of fire.

Two more came up behind Ernie and Rainie. The officers got out of their cars and ran to the sides.

Zara jumped off the bike and stepped forward, but Logan darted in front of her, extending a protective arm. “Don’t.” He drew his weapon from beneath his T-shirt.

She wrapped her hands around his outstretched arm, accepting the protection her friend offered.

One of the officers closest to the car shouted instructions for Rainie and Ernie to exit the car. First, put their arms out the window to open the car door from the outside then exit slowly. The officer then instructed both of them to lie down on the ground.

The officers on the fringe ran in and cuffed both of them. It was over. Ernie and Rainie were in custody. And with all of her arrests, there was no way the judge would permit bail.

Logan holstered his gun and turned to Zara, pulling her into a hug.

“Thank you, Logan.”

“Of course, let’s get you to Will.”

She looked down at the twisty-tie ring that was still on her finger. “Please.”

They hopped back on the bike, and he pushed the speed limit as he drove them to Walmart.

There were only a couple of squad cars left in the lot near her car.

She immediately spotted Will. Barely able to wait until Logan came to a complete stop, she whipped the helmet off and ran to Will.

She leapt into his embrace. He lifted her off the ground and held her so tight she thought he was going to crush her. But she squeezed his neck with equal tightness.

The next morning had started much earlier than Will liked, considering how late he had stayed up. He’d gone back to AJ’s with Zara. Well, it was Zara’s apartment now too. She had been so shaken once the adrenaline had worn off. He couldn’t blame her; it had been too much for one person to face in only a few days. He’d stayed on the couch with her until she’d fallen asleep.

He backed his truck and trailer carefully into AJ’s grandmother’s driveway. They were on their third and final trip. His small pickup and open-bed trailer didn’t hold much, but Zara didn’t have much either. After Will picked Logan up, the guys had met the women at Zara’s old apartment at seven because they wanted to get as much done as possible before the sun baked them.

But they hadn’t made it. The sun was now reaching the top of the sky and cooking them like a Fourth of July hamburger. Sweat dripped down his back as he hopped out of his truck.

Zara followed him while Logan slid out the other side. AJ had stayed at her apartment to move stuff around so there’d be room for Zara’s furniture.

They loosened the ratchet straps, and Logan and Will each grabbed a side of the dresser.

AJ bounded down the stairs with an armload of Gatorade bottles. “Not so fast. Hydrate first.” She handed them out.

Will took his and couldn’t help but notice that Logan actually smiled at AJ when he took one for himself. It was refreshing to see those two get along for the first time in at least five years.

Zara said, “We’re almost done. I seriously can’t thank you guys enough for helping. This is going to be so much better than staying in that old place.”

AJ put her hand on Zara’s shoulder. “I’m glad I have a spot for you.”

Logan said, “This should be much safer. Better neighborhood. Not on the ground floor either.”