Page 7 of Corey
There was also the embarrassing fact she didn’t handle the dark very well anymore. Not since…
A shiver ran through her right before she slammed that mental box shut and locked it.Not going there, Sera.
Once she reached the warehouse floor, she double-checked the picture on her phone, memorized the first cargo number and set off through the maze. Half of the main lights had been shut off for the night, so the looming shadows between the stacked containers made her pause.Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.Her heart sped up and an ominous feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
Yeah, it can wait until tomorrow morning,she decided.
The moment she turned around, the sound of muffled voices reached her. Male voices, and she realized they were arguing. Curious, she tilted her head, trying to make out their heated words. It sounded like Joel and Jeremy, her two bosses. They started J&J Shipping ten years ago, but she’d only worked there the past two years. It wasn’t her dream job by any means, but it paid the rent and kept Loki living a life of luxury. Spoiled-rotten, beloved cat.
Moving closer, weaving through the stacked crates, Sera was surprised by their angry tones. Normally, they got along pretty well. Suddenly, their voices dropped and turned into furious whispering. Squinting, she peered through a narrow slit between containers and caught a glimpse of Jeremy, ticking off points on his fingers.
“...and I’m not going to Guantanamo Bay because you’re getting sloppy,” he hissed.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Isn’t that the prison where the US sent its most ruthless enemies? Like terrorists?
“No, you won’t be going there,” Joel said as Sera moved to get a better look at the other man. And instantly regretted it.
Joel held a gun, pointing it at Jeremy.
Sera’s jaw dropped, and alarm slammed through her.No, no, no.Her breath sawed in and out of her lungs as panic seized her in its oily grip. She was terrified of guns, the dark and enclosed places. Feeling trapped, she stumbled back a step, doing her best to rein in her fear.
She couldn’t handle it.Please, God, no. Not again.
“Are you insane? They’re going to figure out what we’re doing,” Jeremy stated. “Don’t be stupid, Joel. We had a good run and now it’s over.”
“I’m not done. There’s too much money involved.”
“Don’t be greedy, man. It’ll be your downfall, but it’s not gonna be mine.”
“Sorry, Jeremy,” Joel said, not sounding sorry at all. “You’re right, it was fun while it lasted. But I don’t need a partner anymore.”
In the enclosed space, the pop from the gun was deafening. Jeremy dropped without so much as a grunt. But an involuntary cry escaped Sera’s throat, and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
Joel’s head snapped up, looking surprised then angry as his gaze scanned the row of crates where she hid.
Spinning around, Sera took off. Pure terror and the vivid memories of the last time she heard gunshots left her in a tailspin with only one goal: get the hell out of there before she became the next victim.
The sound of more yelling reached her ears, but she tuned it out and ran for her life. When she heard pounding footsteps behind her, she knew he was chasing her.
“Get back here!” Joel yelled, sounding far too close.
Sera spun around another corner and stumbled. How could this be happening to her? Not fucking again! What had she done to deserve this?
The horrible thought occurred to her that even though she’d managed to escape death once before, maybe she’d always been doomed to die this way. Shot dead. Cold trickles of fear made her move faster, but she’d lost her way, taken a wrong turn somewhere, and now she wasn’t sure where she was.
Stumbling to a stop, she listened closely. A soft click, then Joel saying, “There’s an intruder in the warehouse. I need all exits locked down.”
“Copy that,” security responded over the radio.
“No one is allowed to leave the premises. Understand?”
“Neutralize them. Got it.”
Shit.Now she had more than one person hunting her. Sera’s heartbeat thundered in her ears as she glanced around, determining she was near the southwest exit. If she could whip through the rest of this maze and slip out before they locked the rolling door, she’d be okay.
Realizing she was still clutching her phone, she tucked it into her purse and quietly dug around for her keys. She could make it. Shehadto make it.
Sending up a silent prayer, she hauled ass over to the side door and skidded straight outside. She didn’t see security yet, so she kept running, straight to the employee parking lot. Lifting her key, she unlocked her crappy Ford Escort’s door and threw herself inside, tossing her purse onto the passenger seat. The oldcar started up with a cough and she spun the wheel, heading for the exit.
