He wouldn’t do something that reeked so pungently of death.
Instinct had kicked in, telling me to flee.
I snatched some clothes, stuffed them into my duffel, and shot from the building. I’d hoped the cops might still loiter outside. They wanted clues to apprehending a criminal? I had clues.
Gil had an airtight alibi this time. Nothing could beat being in police custody while an obvious threat to my life was left uninvited in my apartment. I could tell them about the kidnapper—give the right license plate. I could do my part in protecting Gil for a change.
But no cruiser sat at the curb. No badges and protection were there to jot down my sudden willingness to talk. Only a young couple strolling arm in arm kept me safe as I bowled from my building and almost tripped into them.
Their eyes widened at my bright green skin then snickered as I stumbled in my haste.
My hands shook as I unlocked Gil’s hatchback, threw my bag in the back, and buckled in. My driving skills were rusty. But I shoved aside trepidation and tore into gear, my mind careening with scenarios and solutions. Gil wanted me to go to his warehouse. But the guy knew where Gil lived. He’d beaten him up and tried to kidnap me right outside—I daren’t go there on my own.
I’d driven down my street, joined the main road, and chewed my lip while contemplating answers. Then I’d looked behind me and spotted company. Company that had never left my tail since leaving my building.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence.
My eyes flickered to the rear-view mirror again, studying the black van. The late afternoon sun glinted on scratched paintwork, revealing a dent that matched the one I’d seen when Gil had been on his knees accepting unretaliated abuse.
It wasn’t a coincidence, and for the first time, Gil’s warnings of danger were no longer an inconvenient threat but a very real concern.
One hand dropped from the steering wheel as I once again scooped up my phone and pressed redial. I hopped into a new lane, haphazardly turning left with no indicator.
I studied my follower as frustrating ringing filled my ear.
The black van mimicked me, earning a honk from some motorist in his rush to chase me around the corner.
My heart stopped.
This was real.
He wasn’t just going in my direction. He was hunting me.
The call once again didn’t connect, and I was done being the scared mouse. It’d been a while since I’d driven—thanks to using public transport on a budget—but I didn’t let that stop me as I stomped on the accelerator and shot forward.
Veering into another lane, I overtook the blue sedan in front of me and ran the amber light while others pulled to a stop.
The van raced forward, cutting the light as it turned red.
Prickles of foreboding galloped over my skin. My eyes flickered to the fuel gauge.
Quarter tank.
How far would that get me before I ran out of ability to run? Where the hell could I go? My parents weren’t in the country. Gil was otherwise engaged. My dance friends wouldn’t know what to do with me after my vanishing act and lack of communication the past few years.
I literally had no one to turn to and nowhere to go.
I sped up, shooting down a side street that led to a quaint cobblestone lane.
Bad move.
Pedestrians clogged the space as well as food carts spilling from the curb.
Flattening my palm on the horn, I earned a few one finger salutes as I inched my way forward. The van followed, our chase turning from quick to crawl.
With my elbow, I locked the doors, grateful that this uninspiring hatchback at least had central locking. At this speed, the guy could jump from his vehicle and walk to get me.
Come on!
I honked again, ducking low from people’s glowers.
My phone slid from my thigh into the crook of my lap as I feathered my foot from brake to gas pedal. I scooped it up again, redialling for the sixth time.
Ring.
Ring.
Answer machine.
I hung up.
Reaching the end of the lane, I looked behind me. The van hugged my bumper, crowding me into traffic.
I’d run out of options, and I didn’t have the driving skills of a stunt car operator to lose him. I hadn’t wanted to turn to Justin. I hadn’t wanted to replay the past by leaning on Justin because Gil wasn’t there for me. Gil was there for me—he was just incapacitated currently.
But...I don’t really have a choice.
The van nudged me, shuttling me forward as I pulled to yet another crawl at a zebra crossing with a mum pushing a pram.
I threw him a nasty gesture, allowing my anger to hide my fear. No way would he make a murderer out of me by running her down all to save myself.
With trembling hands, I pulled up Justin’s details and shot forward as the woman reached the pavement. I hesitated a few seconds before pressing call, wincing at what Gil would say, knowing that I’d once again used Justin for my own devices.
Swallowing hard, I activated the speaker and placed the ringing phone on my lap. Planting both hands on the steering wheel, I crept over the speed limit again, trying to put some space between me and the van.
“Miller speaking.”
The line crackled a little, but relief shot through my heart. “Justin, it’s Olin.”
“O? Everything okay?”
“Um. Not really.” I took a corner sharply, cursing as the van managed to manoeuvre the same path.
“What’s going on?” Justin’s tone slipped from casual to sharp. “You in trouble?”
That was Justin.
He might’ve been the boy everyone liked at school, but it wasn’t because of some misplaced popularity contest or ego. He genuinely cared. He was thoughtful and sweet, and it’d been my broken heart over Gil that had drawn him to me.
I hadn’t actively tried to date another person. But Justin had seen my tears and offered a shoulder to cry on. He tried to make me happy.
Justin was like me.
It made him feel good to help others. And even though we were too similar to date long term, I’d allowed Justin to soothe me and hid my cringes when he’d kissed me. I’d ignored the fact that I had no romantic interest in him because I’d missed Gil so, so much.
Also, knowing Gil saw me with him...well, the vindictiveness was sweet after heartbreak.
Guilt rose.
Guilt for hurting Justin as well as Gil.
Guilt for hurting myself.
“Olin...you can tell me. If you need help, you know I’m always—”
“There for me. I know.” My knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. God, how could I betray Gil’s confidence? How much could I spill without telling everything—including the parts I didn’t know myself?
I accelerated, taking another corner too fast. “I don’t have time to explain, but I’m being chased by someone Gil was protecting me from. I don’t have anywhere to go and daren’t go to Gil’s on my own.”
“Where’s Gilbert?” Justin demanded. “He isn’t with you?”
“He’s, um...elsewhere.”
“Where are you?”
“Driving around, trying to lose unwanted company.”
Justin sucked in a breath. “What do you need from me?”
“I don’t really know. I just need somewhere I can be safe.”
“Come here.”
“Where’s here?”