“I said no,” Bracey said in a cool-as-steel voice, refusing to back down. And then, to let both men knew he meant business, he touched his gun in a way that let Vince know he would shoot him now if he had to. “I won’t be going to jail just because you want that woman,” he added, hoping to give them the impression that a potential jail sentence was the reason he wanted them to leave her alone.
“We don’t need this,” Andy intervened. “Nobody’s going to jail. Go get her, Bracey. I give you my word that no matter what Vince says, we’ll turn her loose, unharmed, when we get a few blocks from here.”
Bracey knew that might be Andy’s intention, but he could tell by the look in Vince’s eyes that the bastard had other plans. Plans Bracey would thwart if it killed him. But he also knew if they didn’t take the woman with them, it would piss Vince off and he might shoot her just for the hell of it before they walked out the door. The man was just that unhinged.
KENNEDY WONDERED WHAT WAS going on. The thieves had the money, so why weren’t they leaving? Had they gotten greedy and decided to get the manager to open the vault for more? It seemed pretty risky — the police were likely already on their way.
She figured she wasn’t the only person wondering what was going on. It appeared they were arguing amongst themselves. But about what? Whatever it was, she wished they’d get on with it. Her hands were getting tired from being held up in the air for so long.
Suddenly, the trio stopped talking, and simultaneously they turned and looked at her. Why? She hadn’t moved. And she hadn’t opened her mouth again after the last guy — the hot one — had told her to shut up. So why was she suddenly so interesting? Then, as she watched, the man with the drop-dead gorgeous eyes began walking toward her.
She wanted to back up, but the look he was giving her made her stand her ground. Not because she wanted to, but because she felt rooted to the spot. There was something about his walk, the way he moved…it was as if there was some invisible spotlight he was walking under, all six-feet-plus, a solid mass of muscle and fineness. Only it was totally wasted on a man who operated on the wrong side of the law. She must not forget he was a stone-cold criminal. He and his comrades had robbed the bank right before her eyes.
He finally came to a stop in front of her, met her gaze and said, “You’re coming with us.”
She blinked, certain she’d heard him wrong. “Excuse me?”
“We’re taking you as a hostage, so let’s go.”
Now she did back up. “Why?”
“Your sassiness pissed my friend off. Now, let’s go.”
His tone was harsher than before, but she refused to budge. Going with them would guarantee her death, in addition to no telling what else. Her father always said her mouth would one day get her into trouble, but never in her wildest imagination had she ever dreamed something like this could happen to her. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Yes, you will. And if you do what you’re told, you won’t get hurt.”
Yeah, like she was supposed to believe that. With her hands still up in the air, she tilted her head at an angle to make sure he not only heard her, but could also read her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Dammit, what’s taking so long? Bring her now or I will put a bullet in the skull of the man standing beside her,” the robber with the blue eyes shouted.
“He’s telling the truth,” the man standing before her warned in a low voice. “Don’t give him a reason to kill anyone.”
Kennedy glanced over at Keith Harvey. His cool, calm, and rude demeanor from earlier was gone. Now, he was an almost pitiful man who was sweating profusely in fear. She could actually see him shaking. He looked at her and she saw the plea in his eyes. Obviously, he had no problem asking her to be the sacrificial lamb. Then she recalled the picture of two kids on his desk. More than likely they were his, which meant he was someone’s father.
The robber reached out and grabbed her arm. “I said let’s go.”
Feeling defeated, she let him pull her toward the door.
Bracey was glad the woman was keeping her mouth closed. Even when he’d all but shoved her into the back seat with him, she hadn’t said a word.
“Get your ass in the front so we can go,” he snapped at Vince before slamming the car door in his face. He knew his actions had only angered the man further, but he didn’t give a damn. There was no reason they should have taken a hostage, and whatever ideas Vince thought he had, he could just forget them. If for some reason the FBI hadn’t gotten his message, then he would have to take matters into his own hands to protect her. Even if it meant blowing his cover again for a hostage.
He glanced over at the woman, but she refused to look at him. Instead, she looked out the window. It was as if she knew her fate and had accepted it. He didn’t want that for her. He liked it much better when she was giving them hell, even though it was what had landed her in this mess to begin with. But still, even with guns drawn on her, she had said her piece. She was either not overly bright, or a woman who, under the right set of circumstances, could hold her own with the best of them. He had reason to believe it was the latter.
Bracey realized he was still holding tight to her arm. He could let it go now since she wasn’t going anywhere until they released her. However, for some reason, he liked touching her and wished there was some way he could assure her that she would be alright.
The minute Vince was inside, Andy took off speeding, nearly colliding with several vehicles. Bracey knew Andy well enough to know he was angry. He was proven right when, as soon as they’d cleared the downtown area, the man lit into Vince.
“I wasn’t going to waste time arguing with you back there, but I don’t appreciate the shit you pulled,” Andy said angrily. “There was no reason for her to come with us, other than your damn bruised ego. A hostage makes more news. Are you trying to get us in trouble with boss-man?”
Vince didn’t say anything for a moment, then he barked, “What’s done is done. Get over it.”
“I’m not getting over it. But I am dumping her out at the next corner,” Andy shouted back.
“I wouldn’t advise you to do that.” Vince then did something they hadn’t expected. He ripped off his ski mask and smiled, glancing in the back seat at the woman. “She can identify me.”
An angry Bracey released the woman’s arm and punched Vince in the face before he could duck. Immediately blood streamed from his nose. “You bastard. You took off your mask deliberately,” Bracey said, furiously.
Even with the bleeding nose, Vince was laughing. “Damn right. If I’m identified, so are you two. Then the boss will know everything. He won’t like what we did behind his back. But he doesn’t have to know. There’s no way that robbery will be linked to us, and we can keep the woman. I’m into sharing, if it makes you guys happy.”
Bracey felt the woman beside him tremble at the thought of what Vince’s words meant. He wanted to reassure her that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her but couldn’t. Especially now, when he didn’t know what might set Vince off.
Suddenly, he heard the police siren and released a silent sigh of relief. The cavalry had arrived.