“You’re pretty,” Donny repeated. “Just like my mama.”
The double doors closed with a loud whoosh, and the bus pulled away just as a green Thunderbird came roaring out of nowhere and pulled up in front of the bus stop.
“You’re late,” the boy accused, pointing his finger at the car, his fat face red and splotchy from crying.
“Sorry, bro. Hey, who’s your pretty little girlfriend?”
Donny blushed and stammered. “Sh-she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Did the bus driver happen to get a look at your new girlfriend?” Donny’s brother asked.
“I told you, she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Too bad.”
Traci leaned into the car, trying to get a look at the man inside, but it was dark and the man turned his face away as he switched off his headlights. “I was afraid to leave your brother alone. He was really upset.”
“She’s beautiful and she’s a Good Samaritan,” said the driver. “We hit the jackpot this time, big bro. Get in the car, Donny. Say thank you to your pretty little girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Donny insisted as he opened the car door and lumbered into the front seat.
“Donny doesn’t exactly have a way with words, does he?” mocked the faceless voice that floated from the car. “But I appreciate you waiting with my brother. I’d like to show my gratitude. Can I give you a lift anywhere?”
“N-no,” Traci stammered. “Th-thank you. Goodbye, Donny.” Traci edged away from the bus stop, gave a half-hearted wave, and started walking in the opposite direction of the car. The Thunderbird swerved, spun around in a cloud of dust and pulled up alongside her. A frisson of fear climbed up her spine and lodged in her brain. The car windows opened and the vehicle tracked Traci as she began to run.
The car kept rolling. Traci kept running. But she could still hear the man’s voice.
“I offered you a ride home. Are you always this rude? Don’t you know it’s not safe to be out alone at night?”
Traci kept up her pace.
“Grab her, Donny. Your girlfriend needs a lesson in manners.”
“But why?” the boy asked.
“Don’t ask questions. Don’t I always know what’s best for you? We’re just taking her home for a short visit. Wouldn’t you like a little company? It gets pretty lonely with just us guys around the house way out at the end of the world.”
“Don’t hurt her.”
“Now where would you get an idea like that? You watch too many movies, bro. Go ahead and get her, and be quick about it before someone else sees you.”
Traci risked a peek back as Donny stepped out of the car. He was as big as a giant, but he moved quickly and he was gaining on her.
“No, please.” Traci tried to shout, but the words came out as a strangled whisper. A sick knot of fear twisted in her throat, festered in the pit of her stomach, choking her as it rose into her mouth. A slick band of sweat glistened on her chest, pooled under her arms and froze there. Her knees buckled. Each breath tore out of her with the force of a jagged knife. But still she ran. She ran like her life depended on it.
A word about the author...
Marilyn Baron is a public relations consultant in Atlanta. She’s a PRO member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) and winner of the GRW 2009 Chapter Service Award.
She writes humorous women’s fiction, romantic suspense, historical romance and paranormal. She graduated from The University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a minor in Creative Writing.
Born in Miami, Florida, Marilyn lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband, and they have two daughters. She loves to travel. Her favorite place to visit is Italy, where she studied for six months in her junior year of college.
Read Marilyn’s other two books published by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.: Her historical (romantic thriller) Under the Moon Gate, and its prequel, a historical, Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story.
Author e-mail:
[email protected]
Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog:
www.petitfoursandhottamales.com
To find out more about Marilyn and her books, visit her Web site at:
www.marilynbaron.com
Other Books You Might Like
Under the Moon Gate by Marilyn Baron
http://amzn.com/B00CGDQ1S4
Find My Baby by Mitzi Pool Bridges
http://amzn.com/B009ESEQCM
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Sixth Sense (A Psychic Crystal Mystery) Page 22
