by Kris Norris
Continuing in the same direction. She matched his movements, shuffling toward the doorway every time he took a step—hoping to mask her sounds in his. He kept going, kept allowing her to get closer to the door, until she’d reached the last car. Bridgette crept to the tail end, stealing a look beneath the vehicle. Black boots faced away from her, the guy’s shadow stretching out like a snake behind him.
She glanced at the doorway. Nothing but an oversized pillar stood between her and the glass. If he caught her movement, she’d be wide open. Bile crested her throat, burning at her resolve. One chance.
She moved as soon as he took another step, surging to her feet then dashing behind the column. Her boots scuffed the cement, the dull sound echoing off the walls.
He stopped.
Damn. He’d heard her. She knew he had. Were those his footsteps toward her, now? Getting closer? Louder. She couldn’t check. Couldn’t risk he’d see her. She was pretty sure her body fit behind the pillar, but it wouldn’t keep her safe. And soon, he’d be there. Beside her. Nothing but a couple feet of concrete between her and a bullet.
The steady click of his boots stopped on the other side of the column, his harsh breath whispering close by. She held hers, inching around the column as he slowly picked his way toward the wall, keeping the pillar between them. What happened once he’d checked behind the cars? If he headed toward the door, she’d never be able to stay hidden. It nothing else, he’d see her shadow.
A cold sweat broke out across her skin, dripping down her forehead despite the near freezing temperature. He was on the other side, about to move past the edge of the column. Bridgette clenched her jaw, waiting for him to suddenly jump out at her, when the garage door started rolling. She startled, barely stopping the scream clawing at her throat from joining the grating sound of metal chains moving along a pulley as the door rose, exposing a flash of light from the street beyond.
The man stopped, quickly walking back the way he’d come. Bridgette moved with him, once again, darting behind the car. Headlights cut through the shadows as the approaching vehicle rounded the corner, pulling into an empty stall just down from where she was crouched against the wall. Music blared through the closed windows then cut off, easy laughter filling the void.
A couple stepped out, still engrossed in conversation as they talked over the top of the car. Bridgette glanced at where she’d last seen the man, but he was gone. Most likely out through the employee door beside the exit ramp.
Her hands shook as she straightened then leaned against the wall, bracing her palms on her knees. A dull roar sounded inside her head, blocking out everything until a hand landed on her shoulder. She jumped, tripping sideways as she swung toward the person, her fist glancing off a torso.
“Whoa, Bridgette. Easy. Christ, it’s just me.”
Air wheezed through her lungs, the steady supply finally clearing her vision. Jeremy stood off to her right, brow furrowed, his lips turned into a frown.
He glanced around then looked back at her. “Are you okay?”
“I thought you’d left?”
The words rushed out, all melding together to form one long incoherent word.
“I got halfway home before I realized I’d left my damn cell on the counter in the men’s room.” He leaned a bit closer. “Did something happen? You look like a damn ghost.”
She opened her mouth, but nothing made it past the lump in her throat. She scanned the garage, again, but it looked like it always had. Deserted. Safe. One of the overhead lights buzzed then winked out, blanketing them in dull gray.
Jeremy reached into his pocket, retrieving his phone. “I’m calling an ambulance.”
“No.” She managed to grasp his wrist—draw his attention. “I’m fine, I’m…”
Just terrified. Nearly died at the hands of a gunman. But I’m fine.
“You don’t look fine.”
She snorted, the aftermath of adrenaline making her shake. “I…”
She paused. While she didn’t think there was any chance Jeremy had been bought—that he could be bought—she’d been fooled before. Betrayed. And she’d promised herself she’d never fall victim to that, again. Better to play it safe until she could talk to Jack. Jack couldn’t be bought, and he wouldn’t ever betray her. It was a given. A knowledge that ran soul deep.
She cleared her throat. “I thought I heard something. Saw someone. But…I must have been imagining it.”
“Do yourself a favor and take a couple of days off. Or a week. But get some rest. You keep going like this and you’ll burn yourself out.” He motioned toward her Jeep. “Can I walk you to your car, now?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
She moved in beside him as he headed toward her vehicle, still searching the area. But they were definitely alone. Though for how long…
She stopped when his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, dragging her back a step. She snapped out of her thoughts, following his gaze until it landed on her Jeep. Two perfectly round holes were punched through the windshield, both front tires flat against the concrete.
“Shit.” Jeremy turned toward her. “You still think this is nothing you haven’t dealt with before?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but he was already on his phone, talking to the cops. Bridgette looked toward the exit door, wondering if the guy was on the other side. Waiting. Planning.
It didn’t matter. She’d been given a second chance to get her head out of her ass and make better decisions. Jeremy was right. She needed to distance herself for a while. Stop giving Stevens’ men an easy target. And she knew just where to go.
Montana.
The house her grandmother had left her.
The one still registered in her father’s name. The last place anyone would ever look for her, and the only place she might be safe.
Other Books By Kris Norris
SINGLES
Centerfold
Keeping Faith
My Soul to Keep
Ricochet
Rope’s End
SERIES
‘TIL DEATH
1 - Deadly Vision
2 - Deadly Obsession
3 - Deadly Deception
BROTHERHOOD PROTECTORS ~ Elle James
1 - Midnight Ranger
2 – Carved in Ice
COLLATERAL DAMAGE
1 - Force of Nature
DARK PROPHECY
1 - Sacred Talisman
2 - Twice Bitten
3 - Blood of the Wolf
ENCHANTED LOVERS
1 - Healing Hands
FROM GRACE
1 - Gabriel
2 – Michael
GRIZZLY ENCOUNTERS
1 – Iron Will
THRESHOLD
1 - Grave Measures
COLLECTIONS
Blue Collar Collection
Into the Spirit, Boxed Set
RE-RELEASING SOON
TOMBSTONE
1 - Marshal Law
2 – Forgotten
3 – Last Stand
WHAT REMAINS
1 - Untainted
2 - Wasteland
3 - Mutation
4 - Reckoning
About Kris Norris
Author, single mother, slave to chaos—she’s a jack-of-all-trades who’s constantly looking for her ever elusive clone.
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Original Brotherhood Protectors Series
By Elle james
Brotherhood Protectors Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force
(#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Code SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Bride (#12) TBD
Montana Rescue
Hot SEAL, Salty Dog
About Elle James
ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of books including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty works in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, snow skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com
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