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“Duty calls,” she singsongs.
***
“What else needs to be done?”
Java sets the mop in the bucket and looks around. “I think we’re good after we empty the garbage.”
“I can handle that.”
“Thanks, girl. There’s new bags are under the bathroom cabinet, and the dumpsters are in the back lot by the fence. Ours is the green one. It should be open from the mid-day run, but make sure you lock it when you’re done.”
“Got it.”
After I finish putting a new liner in the last trash bin, I gather the bags and head out the back door. Damn, it’s kind of creepy back here. I heave the garbage into the dumpster and make sure the padlock is secure. As I start to walk away, I swear I hear a shoe scuffing against the ground, kicking up gravel. My head snaps to the side, looking around, but it’s too dark back here to really see anything. I hurry my ass back inside and take a few breaths to calm myself.
Java frowns when she walks into the back room and sees me. “You okay? You look spooked.”
“Yeah.” I turn on the tap to wash my hands. “I just thought I heard something out there and got freaked out for a second.”
“Oh, that’s probably the squirrels.”
“Squirrels?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “There are tons of them that live in the trees behind the property line. Horny little bastards, too. I was taking out the garbage once, and I heard the strangest noise coming from up high. It was super loud and kind of sounded like an animal dying. As I got closer, I found two squirrels goin’ at it like rabid monkeys.” Java shivers. “I had to get really stoned that night to blur the memory. Sadly, it’s happened at least two dozen times since, so now it’s permanently etched into my brain.”
My lips twitch. This girl and her lack of filter are definitely amusing.
“Wow. That’s... interesting.”
Java looks around the strip mall parking lot as we exit the store. “Your ride’s not here yet?”
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t tell him we finished up a little early.”
“Oh.” Her gaze falls to her boyfriend’s Audi. “Let me just tell Ian real quick, and I’ll wait with you.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.” I incline my head toward the other end of the lot, where there’s an open sub shop. “I’m just going to grab a sandwich while I wait.”
“You want a ride over there?”
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
“Okay, girl. Have a good night.”
I wave. “You too.”
I start walking faster when I notice a black Escalade pulling out of a parking spot. Now, that in itself wouldn’t be odd, considering we’re in a shopping center, but the only place that’s still open is the sub shop, which is quite a few doors down. When the SUV starts heading directly toward me, I break into a run. I only make it about fifty feet before the driver slams on the brakes, and the cargo door flies open. A big guy wearing all black, including a ski mask, jumps out of the car and lunges for me.
Oh shit.
I struggle in his hold, but the guy is to
o damn strong for me. He clamps a hand over my mouth and nose, practically suffocating me as he wrestles me into the back of the Cadillac. I want to cry out at the unfairness of it when my purse falls to the asphalt, knowing the gun I bought for this very purpose is in there. My phone is in there, too, which means Kingston won’t be able to track me.
Well, isn’t this some fucked up déjà vu?
The second the doors are closed, he yells, “Go!”
Wait a second... I know that voice.
