Page 21 of Baited

She nodded. “My friend was supposed to meet me but she bailed.”

“Bummer, but I think we’ll have a fun night. Where are you staying?”

She gave him the name of a motel toward the outside of town. There was no need for him to know she lived nearby.

“No way, I’m there too.”

Yeah, right.“Oh my god, small world.”

The bartended set their shots on the counter. She grabbed hers before he could reach for it.

“Show me what you’ve got,” he snickered as she eyed the golden liquid. A double? She was insane. She closed her eyes and sucked back the liquid.

Greg roared, “All right, blondie. You’ve got balls.”

The fiery fluid rested in her stomach, nausea tossed it around. Oh god, what had she done? A loud buzz started in her ears, her vision blurred. Greg’s arm pulled her against him.

“You’re okay, just have some of this.” He lifted the cocktail cup in her hand until she sipped.

A voice roared over the nearby speakers, rattling her nerve endings. Her cheeks went numb. She needed to sit down, to close her eyes for just a minute.

Greg led her away from the crowd, his laugh echoed in her ears. “Let’s get you out of here.”

No, no, no.

She wasn’t ready. She just needed more time, maybe some water. She planted her feet in the sand and leaned back against the pull of his arm. Her resistance shook her balance. She stumbled backwards. Greg’s face was replaced with the black sky speckled with bright stars. Her butt thumped into the sand, jarring her.

Sand and sky wavered in front of her, swirling together into one messy cocktail. She squeezed her eyes tight and pressed her fingers to her temples. She needed to pull herself together. Mind over matter. Rough hands snagged her arms and hefted her to her feet. Greg’s throaty laugh rumbled against her side.

“You’re fine.” He towed her through the sand and into a small break in the trees. A million vehicles littered the grass. Keys rattled in the night, and the metallic clink made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Her eyes dragged across the deserted parking area. She sucked in a deep breath of the muggy air as he led her to a large white truck. Panic reverberated through her bones and tears burned her eyes.

This moron could be the man who’d taken Hanna. But dammit, if she went with him while she was wasted, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. She’d had a plan, a solid one. All she’d had to do was have him get her alone and stay sober so she could slip him the pills and get a confession. And this bastard had blown it to smithereens.

She stopped a few feet from the passenger door and brushed his arms off. “I’m sorry, Greg. I drank too much and I’m feelingpretty sick. I’d better go back to my hotel.” She took a step back, but his arm snaked around her shoulders.

“Not to worry, hon. We’re at the same place, remember? I’ll give you a ride.”

Bile slammed against her palate. She wrestled out of his arms and took a step back. “No, I—”

His hand gripped her shoulder and he shoved her against the truck. Her head knocked against the window and her vision swam, bringing back the intense pain from the asshole who’d attacked her in the alleyway last night. Her breath came out in sharp pants as her knees buckled. Darkness closed in around her and her muscles went limp.

The slam of a door snapped her eyes open. Her gaze swept around her, taking in the black interior of his truck. The warm scent of leather filled her nostrils. Oh god, she’d passed out. Saliva pooled beneath her tongue and she took a shaky breath through her nose. A glow from the interior light spilled over his tall form. His baseball hat kept his eyes shadowed, but illuminated a scar across his long, thin nose.

“Relax, we’ll be there in five minutes.” His tone was as slick as oil, and his smile stretched into a thin, salacious line.

He started the ignition and pulled out of the grass. She pressed her back against the seat and closed her eyes. She had to get sober. She’d never be able to fight him off like this.

Her heart pounded in her chest and her chin quivered. If she let him take her as another victim, she’d never save Hanna. She’d fail. The truck bumped over the ground until he pulled onto the road. Her body swayed involuntarily with every turn. Her gaze landed on her purse, still looped over her shoulder. She wet her lips.Yes!

She opened the flap and pulled out the slim, metal canister, keeping it low against her thigh. Her mouth went dry and she kept her gaze ahead. He’d hear if she opened the cap now, but ifshe waited until he got out, he could still attack her. She’d have to move quickly and mace him before he got out of the truck, then she’d be able to run.

He turned and a small motel filled the windshield. He shifted into Park and released his seat belt.

She popped off the cap.

His head snapped toward her. “What the—”

She aimed the nozzle at him and fired. A stream of spray sailed through the air, connecting with Greg’s face. Her shaky motor skills had also coated the aerosol over his seat and steering wheel. He screamed and lunged at her, one hand shielding his eyes. His fist closed around her wrist, knocking the can from her fingers.

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