AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Caden was about to say something when Luke came over. “There you are,” Luke said, and promptly pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t see where you went. I thought you might’ve gone to the bathroom or something. Please tell me you didn’t go out there.”
Orly shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Luke. This is all my fault.”
Luke held her so tight, she could hardly breathe, but she also never wanted him to let go. “None of this is your fault. And for the record, I don’t give a damn about the truck, so don’t even think about it. Got it?”
Orly nodded, and sighed heavily. “It was the murderer, Luke. He won’t stop. I just want him to leave me alone. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t know who the hell he thinks he is, but this guy sure as hell isn’t getting to you on my watch. Not on any of our watches,” Garrett said, coming up behind Luke. “You’re family, Orly, and no one messes with our family.”
“We’ll get him, Orly. I promise you that. You will be free of this jerk once and for all.” Caden’s words were meant to reassure her, but Orly knew different. The guy had been in her head for months, and from the looks of it that wasn’t going to change any time soon.
The sirens in the distance grew louder, and a group of onlookers formed outside the bar. “I don’t care what happens, you stay inside with one of us.” Luke’s tone brooked no arguments, and Orly quickly nodded. She loved this man so much, she’d do anything for him. Even if it meant she might never see him again.
Luke smiled down at her and pulled her back into his arms. She nuzzled in deeper, taking in his scent of masculinity, soap and booze, her arms firmly wrapped around his waist as she tried to tune out the sounds of the bar mixing with the sirens and the loud shrieks from people who were just now noticing the growing flames outside.
Ladies’ room. Now. The murderer demanded. Threatened.
Orly closed her eyes and kept her head against Luke’s chest. That’s what he’d meant by diversion. Her first instinct was to fight him. To deny him. To tell Luke he was here. But Orly knew just how cunning this guy was. How resourceful and evasive his tactics were. She could never live with herself if she escaped him now, only to have him come back and hurt Luke instead.
And if Luke or his friends even suspect anything, they’re all dead.
Orly sighed and mentally nodded. She’d already surmised as much. This was it. As much as she wanted to stay in the safety of Luke’s arms, she knew this guy wasn’t going to back down. This time he’d set a truck on fire, but next time, he could actually hurt or even kill Luke or one of his friends. She didn’t have a choice. Even if he killed her tonight, at least it would all be over, and Luke would be safe. He’d have no reason to go after him or his friends if he had her. “You know, I really do have to use the ladies’ room. Do you mind?” She asked Luke, giving him a sweet smile. “I feel like a mess. I just want to freshen up.”
Luke kissed her forehead. “I’ll have to give a statement when the cavalry gets here, but Caden can go with you. Don’t worry. He’ll just stand outside. Take all the time you need.”
Orly wanted to tell him she didn’t need Caden to go with her, but that would likely raise suspicion, so she readily agreed and led the way to the back hallway where the ladies’ room was located. “I’ll be right out,” she said over her shoulder.
Before going inside, she gave Caden a quick smile and noticed the back door of Madigan’s was just past the entrance to the ladies’ room. That was probably his getaway plan. But if Caden was standing right here, he’d likely wind up hurt or dead. She couldn’t let that happen. Even if he didn’t approve of what she’d done, there was no way she’d ever allow Caden to be collateral damage.
She could only think of one way to get Caden to leave his post. She hated what she was about to do, but if it was the only way to protect him, then she’d have no regrets. Orly leaned against the wall, then looked back at Caden who was already at her side.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“I’m fine. It was Luke,” she said, hoping Caden didn’t catch on to her lie. “He asked me to tell you he needs you out front. He thinks he caught the murderer.”
Caden looked at her suspiciously. “He’s got the guys there, what does he need me for?”
“I don’t know,” Orly said, feigning confusion. “But he’s insisting he needs you. Just go. I’ll be right here in the restroom. If it’s nothing, you’ll be back here long before I’m ready to come out.” Caden gave her a questioning glance, but she smiled and placed her hand on the ladies’ room door. “Go on,” she urged him. “Maybe this will all be over tonight.”
“Okay,” Caden said, reluctantly. “But you do not leave that restroom until I get back here. Got it?”
Orly smiled. “Yes, Sir. Copy that.” He was so much like Luke, it wasn’t hard to see why the two of them were such good friends.
Resigned, Caden started to walk away, but then stopped. “You first, Missy. Inside,” he ordered.
Orly took one last look at Caden. The way his kind gray eyes carefully watched her. How he kept his thumbs looped through his belt, where she was sure he carried his service weapon in a holster, currently hidden by his blazer. He wore dress shoes that matched his dark suit and navy blue tie, which meant he’d probably come straight from work, and it wasn’t until now, seeing him under the unforgiving fluorescent lights of this small corridor that she noticed how tired he looked. He’d been working hard, putting in longer hours - for her. To help track down that new drug and build a case against Russell. She sighed, remembering how awful that man at the bar had been to him, and she’d probably just made it worse by drawing attention to it. There was nothing she could do about that now, but she could make sure Caden knew how much she truly appreciated everything he was doing for her. “Thanks for looking out for me,” she said. “I’ve never had someone in my corner before meeting Luke and all of you guys.”
“It’s what friends do.” He motioned for her to go inside. Orly just hoped whatever happened next, he wouldn't get hurt. Unable to delay the inevitable any longer without drawing attention to what she was doing, she pushed the door open and walked into the ladies room.
There were two stalls, and both of them were empty at the moment. She walked up to the sink, but before she could even turn the faucet on to splash some cold water on her face, his voice intruded into her mind again. Back door. Hurry.
With an exasperated sigh, Orly cracked the door open to make sure Caden had left. When she assured herself that he was indeed nowhere in sight, she slipped out of the bathroom and rushed to the back door.
As soon as she was outside, a strong arm yanked her away into the dark alley. She shrieked, but no one heard her over the commotion inside. With her back plastered to his front, a needle pierced the side of her neck. It felt like a bee sting, but Orly knew this was it. She might never see Luke or any of his friends again. Regret swam through her mind over what she’d done. She wanted to scream, but a gloved hand covered her mouth, almost as if anticipating what she was thinking. Don’t fight me or your boyfriend dies.
Orly went slack in his arms, partly in fear of him hurting Luke, but mostly because whatever he’d injected her with was already taking effect. He guided her to a waiting van parked in a dark corner just beyond the building. She wanted to look back, to reach out to Luke, but her mind was quickly growing fuzzy. That’s better. He smirked, and shoved her into the backseat.
Before Orly could utter a response, everything went black.
