Page 29 of Rescuing Riley
Chapter Ten
When Josh pulledinto a spot across from Liza’s place, he noticed two men sitting in a black SUV. Riley had her hand on the door handle, eager to see if Taylor was telling the truth.
“Wait,” Josh said.
She flashed her gray eyes his way. “What’s wrong?”
“I think we have company in the black SUV two cars down and across the street.”
Riley sat back, smoothing a hand over her hair. “The men from Boston?”
The car could have been government, mafia, or anyone. “Don’t know. I can’t make out who it is from here.” The windows were slightly tinted. “Wait here with Charlie. I’ll run in and see if Liza’s home.”
Riley grabbed his arm. “I think we should stick together.” Her calm voice belied the fright in her eyes.
“Get behind the wheel. I want you to get out of here if anything happens.” Josh prayed that nothing would. But the warning bells were going off in his head. The people in that car had to be watching for Liza.
Riley’s pretty features turned dark. “I’m not leaving you here.”
Josh placed his palm on her cheek. “Baby doll, I know how to handle myself.”
She leaned into his hand. “You should at least take Charlie.”
He should have, but Charlie would slow him down. “I won’t be long.” Josh rubbed his thumb over her smooth cheek.
Her eyelids became heavy. “What if you can’t hear someone coming up behind you?”
Josh sat back. “Give me your phone.” When she did, he punched in his number then called himself so he would have her number. “Text me if those guys follow me in.” Then he darted out before he changed his mind and had her come with him, and before he kissed her.
Josh kept his head down, ignoring the men. He didn’t want to call attention to himself, and he wanted to make it look as if he lived in the building. He fired a quick look over his shoulder at Riley before he entered. She’d gotten behind the wheel.
Good girl.
He gave a passing glance to the black SUV, but he still couldn’t see the people inside clearly. His gut was telling him that Liza wasn’t home. Or maybe she was, and those men were waiting for her to leave. Either way, Josh rushed up to the third floor, taking the steps two at a time. He didn’t want to leave Riley alone for too long.
But she was right. He probably should’ve taken Charlie with him. At least Charlie could’ve alerted Josh to noises or someone following them. Deep down, though, Josh didn’t want to put the dog in harm’s way. As protective as he might be, Charlie wasn’t an attack dog.
Josh made it to Liza’s door, when his phone vibrated in his jeans pocket. His pulse quickened. He had no way to protect himself other than his fists. He felt naked without all his tactical gear, something he’d thought he would never need again. But as the hours were passing with no signs of his cousin, Josh had a feeling he would need some type of weapon to protect Riley and himself.
With his lack of hearing, the only thing going for him was his sense of smell, and that only worked if the person had any kind of body odor or was wearing perfumes or colognes.
Liza’s apartment was still a mess, and there were no signs of life. Josh was glad he’d taken Salem home. She was currently lounging with his dad.
“Liza?” Josh called as he fished out his phone.
A text from Drake said,Did you find Liza?
Josh didn’t have time to answer. He checked the bedroom and bathroom, inhaling a few times to see if there were any fresh smells of anyone, including his cousin, who always wore a flowery perfume.
He got nothing. Walking out of the bedroom, he froze.
Two police officers had guns drawn on him.
Instinctively, Josh raised his hands.
The cop with the larger build didn’t move while his partner cuffed Josh.
“I can explain,” Josh said. There was no use fighting them off. Josh would only end up in jail.
