Page 56 of Bold Encounter
The evening had gone well.Abe's team had done their job and Genevieve was preparing to leave.But he wouldn't fully relax until she was home.
He reminded himself that security couldn't be perfect, but tonight they'd come as close as possible.The concert was a success.At present, Abe tended to define that by Genevieve's safety.
He looked out over the club and saw that the last of the audience members were chatting and filing out at the front door.His security team had left.The venue was nearly empty, with only staff cleaning up and the venue's security hovering near the front door.
When Abe turned to look back, Genevieve was right beside him.He wrapped her in his arms, glad to have her so close."You did great tonight."
Genevieve looked up and smiled.She touched his cheek then said, "Let me get my stuff and we can get out of here."
Abe looked out at the venue, relishing the sight of emptiness.He turned toward Genevieve, who was on the other side of the stage beside Cadie's abandoned piano bench.She slipped on her jacket to get ready to go.
A man dressed in the black clothing of a stagehand grabbed Genevieve's arm.Her scream pierced the air, then he plunged a needle into the side of her neck.
Before Abe could react, he felt the pressure of a gun barrel pressing against his left side.He couldn't afford to get injured.Genevieve needed him.
Abe's years of close-quarters combat training kicked in and he executed a defensive maneuver.He pivoted sharply to his right, moving his body away from the direct line of fire.With the side of his left hand, Abe stuck hard on the man's forearm to force him to release the gun.
As the weapon slipped from his hand, Abe drove his right fist into the side of the man's neck, knocking him to the ground.
The gunman collapsed to the stage floor, unmoving.
Abe spun toward Genevieve, shoving the attacker's gun into his jacket and drawing his own weapon.But he was already too late.
The stocky stagehand was getting away, carrying Genevieve's limp form over his shoulder as he disappeared through the back door.
Abe couldn't risk a shot.Genevieve's body blocked a direct hit.The abductor was clearly practiced at his deadly skill.
Abe sprinted for the back door, slamming through it with his shoulder and bursting into the alley behind the club.
Under the alley lights, he saw a white van pulling away.He sprinted toward the vehicle and got the license plate before it sped away.
The taillights disappeared around the corner.
"Dammit!"Abe shouted into the night air.
He ran for his car, adrenaline pumping through his veins.He was certain the accomplice had vanished as quickly as he'd appeared.And Abe had the dude's gun anyway.
There was no time for delay.The woman he loved was gone, taken by professionals who had outmaneuvered his best efforts to protect her.
Chapter 14
Consciousness returned slowly.Genevieve felt like she was swimming up from the bottom of a deep, dark pool.Her head was heavy, and her thoughts sluggish.She had a metallic taste in her mouth, and it was an effort to move.
She wondered where she was.Through her foggy mind, she struggled to make sense of her surroundings.She was sitting in a leather chair with her hands resting loosely in her lap.There were no restraints, although her body felt so heavy she wasn't sure she could stand.
The room came into focus gradually.It was a recording studio with professional equipment.She noticed a mixing board with dozens of sliders and knobs.The walls were lined with foam soundproofing that gave off a faint chemical smell, like new carpet mixed with industrial adhesive.
There was a vocal booth with thick glass windows.This wasn't a studio she recognized, but it was high end, the kind of setup that cost serious money.
Then she remembered the club and a man in black clothing.She put her hand on her neck, recalling the stab of a needle.Weak and helpless, she hadn't been able to resist when the man threw her over his shoulder.
That was all she remembered, but the abductor worked for Jason.She was sure of that.And Abe would try to rescue her, if he could find her.Hehadto find her.
But first, Genevieve must survive whatever Jason had in store for her.
She forced herself to take slow, steady breaths, fighting against the lingering effects of whatever drug they'd used.She couldn't afford the luxury of waiting for her head to clear completely.Every second counted.
She gripped the arms of the chair and pushed herself up on wobbly legs.The room spun for a moment, then it stilled.It seemed that she was getting stronger minute by minute.
