Page 43 of Burning Escape

Tori didn’t think much about the drink the server gave her on the way back to the patio. She said it was from “the guy at your table holding your jean jacket,” and Toriwasparched from all the dancing.

She downed it quickly and set it on the bar. Maybe she should return the favor. Poor Orion would be waiting at the edge of the patio, holding their stuff, watching for threats, and keeping them safe while they danced.

Tori dug her debit card out of her jean pocket and pushed her way to the bar top. “Hey, Vic, can I get Coke and two Diets?” Raine and JoJo were probably thirsty too.

“I’m down a bartender, and it’s a busy night. Got six orders in front of ya, Tori.”

“I can wait.” The line to the bathroom went halfway down the hall, so it wouldn’t matter if it took a while.

“Tori! What are you doing here tonight? It’s after seven.” Evie, with her blonde hair flowing down her back in waves and her favorite cowgirl boots peeking out from her jeans, looked ready for the weekend. She skirted around the scruffy group of guys doing shots and hugged her.

Lucy followed behind her, curly red hair piled high and freckled grin catching appreciative glances. “Yeah, thought you were supposed to put out fires, not start them. You look hot, girl!” Her two friends hugged her.

“We had a smaller fire we worked today. Now I’m out celebrating with some of the crew.”

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. Whatever happened to that cutie from Montana back in May?” Evie sipped on a drink, something pink and fruity.

“Didn’t I tell you? He’s a smokejumper too.”

“No way!” Lucy laughed.

“Aw, it’s like it was meant to be or something.” Evie’s hand on her heart was such an Evie move. “So are you two together?”

“Uh, not really. I mean, he’s here, out on the patio waiting for me, but we’re just friends.”

Lucy was catching her up on all the drama from her job at the courthouse when the hostess interrupted and said Evie’s table was ready.

“Let us know next time you’re in town, so we can get together,” Evie called as they walked away. “Or maybe we’ll see you on the dance floor!”

“For sure!” Tori spun back to the bar and caught herself before she tipped over. She grabbed the back of a chair, needing the help to keep her balance. A wave of dizziness spilled over her. Hopefully, Vic had her drinks ready by now.

“Watch it.” An older woman gave her the stink eye after Tori knocked into her arm.

“I’m…sorry.” Her tongue was heavy. Maybe she should find…who was she with again? Her thoughts scattered. She stumbled.

“You should come with me,” a deep voice whispered in her ear. A firm grasp on her arm and around her waist held her up as her knees buckled beneath her. What was wrong with her?

Tori looked up, her head falling back. Once her eyes finally focused, she gasped. “You.”

The same camo guy that had tried to dance with her that night she’d met Orion. And this time she was powerless to pull away. She could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone fight back as he carried her through the crowd and outside.

What had been in that drink?

The man took her around the corner of the building and into the parking lot.

No! She couldn’t get into his vehicle. That was bad. She tried to pull away, but her muscles were so weak she couldn’t even move her mouth to form words.

God, help!

She collapsed.

“No you don’t.” The man caught her before she hit the ground and threw her in a fireman’s hold over his shoulder. The motion made the dizziness even worse. Her vision blurred.

“Hey!” A voice from farther away broke through the fog in her brain. It was familiar. Safe. “Let her go!”

Orion. That’s who it was. Orion was coming for her.

She hit the ground, and the world faded to black.

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