Page 17 of Cursed Fox

The only saving grace was the fact that about halfway through our meal, the building’s fire alarm went off.

"Does this happen often?" Lex asked, and there was something off about his tone.

"No." Jimmy shook his head. "In fact, it has never gone off that I know of since I moved in here last year."

"Let's go." Lex pushed back his chair and stood up. "Nancy, don't leave my side."

I didn't understand what the big deal was. It was just an alarm. Someone cooking breakfast most likely set it off. But I followed anyway.

As we stepped out into the apartment complex hallway, a booming voice echoed throughout to use the stairs instead of the elevator. I thought about the seven flights down and sighed. I really needed to get out of the office more and work out.

By the time we got to the lobby, I was sweating and slightly out of breath. It didn't go unnoticed that neither Jimmy nor Lex had the same problem. Both men were the epitome of in shape. I slightly hated both of them for that.

We were barely outside for a moment before chaos erupted. One minute I was standing between Lex and Jimmy, and the next I was being thrown to the ground. The sound of screeching tires filled my ears and the noxious odor of burning rubber invaded my nose. People screaming only further added to the mayhem. A large body kept me pinned to the chilly concrete, and out of instinct, I covered my head with my hands, unsure of what was going on.

"Are you okay?" Lex's hot breath tickled my ear and sent a shiver through my body.

"I think so," I whispered. "What happened?"

"Someone tried to run us down."

Lex finally pushed himself up off me, and there was no way for me to miss the veins straining at the effort. I watched them in fascination until he put his arm out to help me up.

I let him pull me up and looked around. Black skid marks marred the sidewalk where we’d been standing just minutesearlier. People were milling about, staring at us, but it was the body on the ground that caught my attention.

"Jimmy!" I pulled out of Lex's embrace and ran to where my son lay crumpled on the ground, clutching his leg. "Oh, God. Jimmy. What happened?"

"That crazy driver hit him," some random man said, but I ignored him and looked around for someone to help. Thankfully, a set of paramedics were running our way.

The two paramedics gently pushed me out of the way so they could help Jimmy, and before I knew what was happening, I was wrapped up in Lex's arms. "We need to get out of here."

"No!" I beat on his chest and tried to pull out of his embrace, but he was too strong.

"Mom," Jimmy hollered from where he was being loaded on a stretcher. "Go with Lex. Please."

I didn't want to listen. I didn't want to be dragged away. But Lex was too strong, and no matter how hard I fought, I couldn't get away from his arm banded around my waist.

At one point, he picked me up like a child and carried me the rest of the way to the underground garage where his Jeep was parked.

"Put me down," I demanded, but it was no use. Lex refused to listen to me. He refused to bend to my wishes. "Where do you think you're taking me?"

I never should've asked. I should've fought harder to go in the ambulance with Jimmy. Because the moment Lex said his next words, my whole world stopped.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lex

I couldn't believe I was going back. Twelve hours ago, I would've sworn I would never see this town again and yet there I was.

Willow Creek.

"Nancy." I put my hand on her leg and shook it gently. She’d freaked out when I told her where we were going, then proceeded to ignore me for a majority of the drive down except for when she’d fallen asleep about an hour ago. "We're here."

"We"—she pointed between the two of us—"aren't anywhere. You"—she pointed at me—"are." Her tone was laced with menace. "I'm calling Wes as soon as possible to come pick me up."

I’d heard that before. I’d even texted Wes after she fell asleep and he agreed with me. "Go ahead and call him. I'll even dial it for you." I handed her my phone even though it was connected to the Jeep.

My friend answered within two rings and immediately asked, "Is Nancy still giving you trouble?"

---