Page 53 of Savage Peril

“You’re not helping,” Lori said. “I wish we could be together, but there’s so much to deal with right now.”

They finished the wine and talked about lighter topics. Lori felt better than she had in days. She was almost ready to face what was ahead of her, but she still panicked at what the future might hold. Her bravado about going to lunch without a bodyguard was partly a bluff. She hoped if she went on with her life that she wouldn’t be so afraid.

They didn’t leave until after coffee and dessert. “Call me if you find out anything,” Jess said.

“I pray that won’t be long.” Lori settled into the leather seat of the SUV and buckled in. It had been good to get away, but she had to get back. As Jess backed out, Lori noticed a black Mustang one row over. It had darkened windows, so she couldn’t tell if anyone was inside. When Jess exited the lot, the Mustang followed. Lori kept an eye on the car, at first to see its racy style, but then to be sure that she wasn’t followed.

Over the past few weeks, Gunner had enlightened Lori about what to watch out for. He wanted her safe and said that it was important to be aware of her environment. She shouldn’t ignore anything unusual, as that might be trouble.

Lori was overwrought, so was probably making more out of this than she should. Yet she watched, and the Mustang stayed close. “Jess, do you see that car behind us?”

Jess glanced in the rearview. “Yeah, the black car?”

“He’s sticking with us,” Lori said. “Turn off Wilshire.”

Jess hit the signal just as it turned yellow and made a sharp right onto Western, then sped up the block. “He’s still there.”

Lori’s heart rate picked up. “I don’t like this. Can you lose him?”

Jess weaved in and out of traffic to put distance between them.

Lori turned to look. “He’s only one car back.” Then the Mustang sped up and darted in front of a van to get right behind Jess’s SUV.

“Dammit,” Jess said. “He isn’t shaking loose.” She hit the gas and gripped the wheel.

Lori leaned against the headrest and planted her feet. The vehicle gained speed and swerved around traffic. She dared not look back.

Traffic in the lane began to stop for a red light. A red trolley rattled along the tracks in front of them. At the last second, Jess floored it and shot in front of the trolley car, barely making it across. Without stopping, she raced down the street, and made a right then a left.

Lori turned to look behind them. “I think you lost him.” Her palms were sweaty, and she was lightheaded.

Jess headed for the clinic but took a circuitous route. “I’m not taking any chances.”

At the clinic, Jess parked in back then they went inside. Lori was out of breath. “That was some risky maneuver you made back there.”

Jess looked pale. “I wasn’t about to hang around and see what that guy wanted.”

Lori took Jess down the hall to her office then shut the door. She called Gunner, who calmly stated that he was on his way. Until he arrived, Jess stayed put.

Gunner tapped on the door then entered. A tall, muscular guy was with him. “This is Wyatt Mercer. He works with me at Stealth.”

Lori and Jess sat mute.

“You ladies were pretty impressive,” Wyatt said.

“What do you mean?” Lori said.

“I asked Wyatt to tag along and keep an eye on things,” Gunner said.

“I had you covered,” Wyatt said. “That dude in the Mustang wasn’t going to get any closer than he did. But it looked like you could handle yourself.”

“Just reflexes,” Jess said, staring at Wyatt.

“You sent protection with me?” Lori said.

Gunner shrugged. “I’m not taking chances with your life.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Lori said.

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