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Paige laughs. “It most certainly did. We survived on a tiny little island for a couple of days.”
“Unbelievable,” Jeff murmurs, shaking his head. He tilts his head towards me. “And you two are friends now?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Yes” Paige says, surprising me. She glances over at me, her eyes warm. “We’re very good friends.”
The detective shows up a short time later. After a long hour of questioning, we’re finally given the all clear to leave. I can’t say I’m exactly comfortable with the situation. Just because the police know, it doesn’t mean the guy stops. He’s still out there and he still wants to exact revenge on Paige.
Paige says goodbye to her boss, and we leave his office. A few people try and stop her, but she simply smiles and waves and promises she’ll catch up with them later.
“Funny, they all hated me before I died.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I guess you might have more friends than you thought.”
“They’re not friends,” she replies. “They’re just curious. They want to know who you are.”
“Me?”
“Yes. They want to know who the hot guy is that I’m with.”
“Hot guy,” I grin. We step into the elevator and that’s when things get very real. I must take this seriously. The man could be lying in wait.
Every nerve in my body is on high alert as we make our way back to my car, Paige's hand locked in mine. I spot a man casually leaning against the back of a car. I see a police car and a couple of cops at the end of the row. Even with the added security, I can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air like a thick fog. My eyes dart around the parking area. I don’t even know what I’m looking for.
“I don’t see him,” Paige whispers.
“Okay. We get in the car, and we drive south.”
“South?”
“I don’t know,” I say, unlocking the doors. “Just anywhere but home. We’ll go to a bank, and I’ll get some cash.”
“No, I will,” she says. “I am officially alive. I can pay.
As we approach the truck, my senses are on edge, every sound amplified. I tighten my grip on Paige's hand, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. I open the car door for her. She pauses before getting in and gives me a quick kiss. “Thank you for being here for me. You’re a rock. I couldn’t have asked for a better pilot.”
I smile and kiss her back. “I know, now get in the—”
I see a man emerge out of nowhere. I immediately feel the danger. I step in front of Paige. I see the gun in his hand and malice in his eyes. My heart lurches in my chest as I realize what's happening - he's here to finish what he started, to make Paige pay for uncovering his secrets.
“What are you doing?” Paige asks.
I hear her sharp intake of breath and realize she’s seen what I’ve seen. “Zach!” Paige’s voice bounces around the parking garage.
“You bitch,” the man hisses. “You ruined my life and now I’m going to ruin yours.”
I know little about bullets and how they work, but I don’t think my body is going to stop the bullet from hitting her. I put my hand up, as if that’s going to stop anything. “Sir, I don’t know you, but killing two people is not going to help you.”
His laugh is dry and empty. “Who said anything about killing two people? I only want her.” His gaze locks onto Paige and I can see the raw hatred in his eyes.
My heart races; time slows to a crawl, yet everything seems to be happening at once. I can hear Paige's shallow breathing, feel the rapid beating of her heart under my palm. The man's finger tightens slightly on the trigger. Fear seizes me, but I force my voice to remain calm and steady.
Suddenly, there is a flurry of activity. Detectives swarm in, their voices sharp and authoritative as they order him to drop the weapon and surrender. For a moment, time seems to stand still as the tension crackles in the air, thick and palpable. I can’t breathe. Even with the cavalry, there’s no guarantee the guy is going to drop the gun. He’s already broken about ten laws that will land him in prison for a long time. He has nothing to lose.
And then, with a resigned sigh, he lowers the gun and raises his hands in surrender. The detectives move in swiftly, their movements precise and practiced as they secure him in handcuffs and lead him away, his protests falling on deaf ears.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. Paige is safe. It's all I can ask for.
