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Understatement.
“Did that guy just randomly attack you?”
“No. He’ll be looking for me.”
“Let’s go, then.”
As they jogged, pain shot up her leg. Her ankle was throbbing.
Ouch. Fuck.
Just breathe through it, Cat.
“Fuck. How much farther?” she asked between gritted teeth.
“Just over there.”
Cat looked over to see a diner across the road. As they crossed, another car approached.
“Quick, inside,” Cat said urgently.
Cat headed toward a booth in the back. That way, they wouldn’t be seen from the street but could see everyone who entered. The other woman slid in beside her.
Cat patted her pockets. Fuck. No wallet.
“Do you have any money?” she whispered.
“Yes. Are you hungry?”
“Starving. I could eat a horse.”
The other woman looked at her in surprise. Being kidnapped could sure work up an appetite.
“You’re awfully chill about all of this,” Cat said. “Most people would have just called the cops and let Bert kidnap me. Even if they were brave enough to help me, I don’t think they would be so calm afterward.”
“I could say the same about you,” she replied. “You’re awfully calm for someone who was being kidnapped.”
“It’s not the first time.” Although that wasn’t exactly true. Alejandro hadn’t kidnapped her. She’d wanted to go home with him. However, he hadn’t let her leave.
He’s going to lock you up for good now.
She turned her head too quickly and it started throbbing. “Fuck.” Her entire body was aching from where Ernie had thrown her against the alley wall to when Bert slapped her.
Assholes.
“What is it? Do you need a doctor?” the other woman asked, sounding worried.
“I’m fine. Could I borrow some money? I’ll pay you back.”
“Of course.”
Wow, this girl was way too nice. Cat hadn’t realized there were still people out there who would help a stranger.
“Could I also borrow your phone? Do you know exactly where we are?” It was beyond time she called Alejandro.
The other woman dug her phone out of her pack and handed it over. Cat knew Alejandro’s number off by heart, at least. She ignored the waitress as she sent Alejandro a text telling him where she was. She’d have to delete all of his details after she finished.
She didn’t hear what the other woman ordered; she was so hungry she’d eat anything. But she did add something as the message sent.
“And chocolate milk,” she said.
“And two chocolate milks,” the other woman added.
Chocolate milk had become her favorite drink, but Bernard rarely bought it for her, claiming it was bad for her teeth.
Doomy Gloomy could be such a bore sometimes.
“I have a teenager just like that,” the waitress said. “Glued to their phones. Although mine wouldn’t be up this early. Lucky if I can get her up to go to school.”
“I know, right,” her rescuer said before their server left.
“Teenager? Huh. I’m twenty-three years old.” Cat placed the phone on the table.
“You are?”
“Yeah. People always think I’m younger though,” Cat replied.
“Well, it helps in this instance. She just thinks you’re a surly teenager, hiding because you didn’t want to get up so early.”
Cat nodded. “I haven’t seen Bert, at least. I think we might have lost him.”
“Bert? You know the man who tried to kidnap you?”
“What? Oh no, Bert isn’t his real name. There were two of them. So I nicknamed them Bert and Ernie. Although it’s actually an insult to Bert and Ernie. These guys were thick as bricks. Ernie ate some bad chicken. His guts went while we were in the car. Jesus, I almost threw up, the stink was so bad.”
That wasn’t something she wanted to repeat.
“So, Bert pulled over by that park because there’s a public toilet. Ernie ran out to use the toilet and I took the opportunity to take off. They thought my hands were tied, but they’re crap at tying knots. Unfortunately, Bert caught me. He was trying to get me back in the car when you called out. Thank you for that. Seriously. He probably would have knocked me out and shoved me in the trunk if it wasn’t for you. That was really brave.”
“I’ve never thought of myself as brave,” the other woman whispered.
“Well, you were. I owe you. Big time.”
The waitress brought them their drinks.
“You don’t owe me. I’m just glad I could help you.”
“You’re a strange woman,” Cat told her, eyeing her. She was gorgeous, with dark-brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and beautiful hazel-colored eyes.
“So are you.”
“I know. It’s much more fun being different, right?” Cat asked. “You okay?”
“I guess. I’m Tabby, by the way.”
“Oh my God, I’m Cat. Together, we’re Tabby-Cat. Seems we were destined to meet, huh?” Cat nudged her arm, then groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Tabby asked.
“Just some bruising. Seriously, I’ll be fine.”
Tabby’s phone beeped and Cat picked it up, relief filling her as she answered the call.
“Cat? Are you all right?” Alejandro asked quickly.
“I’m fine, Papi,” she replied in Spanish. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Tabby, but she thought it was better to keep this conversation quiet.
