Page 64 of Rescuing Riley
Bart whirled around in his seat, aiming a rather large gun at her. “Shut up. Or I’ll make sure you never scream again.”
Mr. Gansett practically dove at her and covered her mouth. Riley kicked, wiggled, and kicked again, flopping around like a fish out of water.
Lowering his gun, Bart swiveled in his seat. “Is that Liza?”
Riley choked as her lungs burned for air.
“No,” Leo said. “The truck left.”
Mr. Gansett removed his hand.
Riley took deep breaths, realizing the onion man was none other than Mr. Gansett.
She didn’t get a chance to do much else, when Mr. Gansett untied her ankles. “Let’s get this over with.”
Before she could take another breath, Riley was dragged out of the van and into the elevator with a gun to her back. Her nerves were singing in tune with her pulse.
Bart pushed the barrel of the gun into her. “Try any slick moves, and I’ll use this.”
She had no doubt he would.
As the elevator ascended, Riley stuck out her chin for nothing more than to show these men she wasn’t afraid. Yet her insides were knotted to the point that her stomach hurt. She wanted nothing more than to be home on the couch, watching a Red Sox game with Ross. Better yet, lounging on the porch behind Redwood Cove Inn, listening to the waves crash against the shore while she drank lemonade with Josh next to her.
None of that was in her future, not when the mafia had her in their grasp and the only way out of this situation was in a body bag. Sure, they’d been accommodating in the van, talking to her as if they were old friends, but that was only a façade.
Tell her everything because in the end, she won’t be around to tell the feds anything.
The elevator dinged, and her heart plummeted.
When the doors slid open, fear so darned strong gripped her from every angle. Mr. Gansett and Leo walked out.
Bart tried to pull her with him, but Riley didn’t move. Something told her not to step out. If she did, she wouldn’t see the light of day ever again.
Bart got behind her just before the doors slid shut. “I’m warning you.” He pressed the open-door button as he kept the gun trained on her. Then he released the button and shoved Riley out before the doors could close.
Jerkcame to mind as she stumbled. With her hands tied behind her back, she had no way to catch herself. The floor rose up fast, and she landed on her face. A sharp and excruciating pain radiated outward.
Leo helped her up, and when they locked eyes, he winced.
Riley couldn’t help but do the same for a vastly different reason—pain.
Bart jabbed the gun into her. “Move.” His tone could’ve split a glacier in two.
Blood oozed out of Riley’s nose and slid into her mouth, the metallic taste exploding on her tongue. The urge to spit was overpowering, but her reflex kicked in as Bart pushed her, making her swallow.
Before long, a familiar area came into view. They were on the opposite end of Mr. Gansett’s office, looking down at the reception desk that was illuminated by the fluorescent lights above. The word “creepy” came to mind, giving Riley the sense that she was in a horror movie. The closed doors on both sides of the hall reminded her of that long hallway inThe Shining.When Leo and Mr. Gansett stopped cold, she squealed.
Bart abandoned her, barreling through the two men like a bowling ball.
This was Riley’s chance to run, get away, and seek freedom. But then she caught sight of a petite figure standing in the distance like an angel who had come to rescue her. Riley wasn’t exaggerating. With the light from above, the woman looked as if she had a halo over her brown hair that was draped around her shoulders.
The pain in Riley’s face diminished. The nausea that was slowly creeping north ebbed. She blinked several times. Suddenly, Liza became crystal clear. Riley’s excitement was at an all-time high. Finally, Riley was laying eyes on her best friend.
“Liza?” she shouted at the top of her lungs. “Is that you?”
For a second, Riley thought Liza was happy to see her. But Liza’s gaze was riveted on Leo, who had his mouth slightly ajar. So much love was pouring off him despite the fact that she had something of value that could imprison his father for life.
Nevertheless, she was still Riley’s best friend. Riley was over the moon to see Liza even if the smile wasn’t for her.
