Page 16 of Serial Burn

Jesslyn shut her eyes. “Can I just have a few minutes? Please?”

A pause. Jesslyn could picture Lainie’s concerned frown. “Sure.” The door opened and shut once more, and Jesslyn opened her eyes and exited the stall. While she ran cold water over her face and dried it, she decided not wearing makeup most days was definitely a perk.

The door opened again and Jesslyn wondered who it was this time. Kristine? Steph? Kenzie? She reached for the paper towels stacked at the back of the sink and pressed one to her face.

Something hard dug into her left kidney and she froze.

“Don’t talk,” the person said. “Don’t scream. Just do what I say.” The voice was low. Menacing.

Her breath hitched in her lungs and she lowered her hands from her face, curling the towel into a fist. She met the man’s sunglass-covered gaze in the mirror. The beanie on his head did an excellent job of covering any hair color. He looked ... generic. Average. Completely nondescript. She couldn’t even see his eyebrows. “Who are you and what do you want?”

“Walk out of the restaurant and I’ll tell you. If you cause anyproblems or try to signal for help, I’ll start shooting.” He paused. “And I’ll start with the mom and child in the corner just outside this bathroom.”

Jesslyn walked, mind spinning, fear churning. There was no way she was getting into a vehicle with this guy, but she wasn’t going to risk him following through on his threat.

The clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversation faded into a distant hum as Jesslyn followed the silent directions of the gun pressed into her back.

“Hey, Jesslyn, are you okay?” Tamryn asked, balancing a huge tray of food.

Jesslyn stilled at the question. The weapon pressed harder into her kidney. “Yes, fine. I’m not feeling well and my friend here is just helping me out.”

Tamryn’s brow arched like she wondered if that was true or not, but she nodded. “Okay. Feel better.”

“Thank you.”

Jesslyn continued the trek toward the main door, heart pounding.Stay calm, think.Her self-defense training was limited, but it might be enough. Especially with the element of surprise.

Outside, the cool air hit her. The parking lot was mostly empty. Just a few scattered cars including hers and those of her friends. Her eyes fell on the closest one and a plan formed. She just prayed it didn’t get her shot.

She pretended to trip.

Her attacker shouted, but his grip loosened. She fell against the vehicle, slamming her hand hard on the window. The blare of the car alarm tore through the quiet mountain air, and she spun to see the weapon rising, aiming for her face. She brought one arm up in a roundhouse block while stepping closer and aiming her fist at his nose at the same time. He ducked and her punch scraped along his forehead, but it was enough.

He stumbled backward with a harsh cry, and she followed, grabbing his wrist with both hands. She spun, putting her back to him,shoved his arm up, and dug her fingernails into his wrist while jamming her right foot on his.

Another yell rattled her eardrum, but he let go of the weapon and it clattered to the ground. A surprise punch from his left hand against her head stunned her and blackness swam in front of her for a moment. At her sudden stillness, he shoved her away and she fell to the asphalt on top of the gun.

Curses trailing behind him, he ran.

She started to get up and after the first attempt decided to give herself a minute to catch her breath and get her spinning head under control. But she did notice he got into a dark blue sedan with mud-covered plates.

NATHAN GLANCED IN THEDIRECTIONof the bathroom for the third time in as many minutes. Finally, after another five minutes, he set his fork down. He caught Lainie’s eye, hoping his questioning look was clear.

She shrugged.

He tilted his head and raised his brows. She frowned and shook her head.

Not acceptable.

He cleared his throat and put his napkin on the table. “Excuse me.”

Ignoring the questioning looks from those around him and Lainie’s laser-eyedwhat-do-you-think-you’re-doinggaze, he made his way back to the bathroom, hoping to run into Jesslyn coming out. No such luck. After a few seconds of hesitation, he knocked and waited.

“Nathan?”

He turned.

Lainie stood there, hands on her hips. “What do you think you’re doing?”

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