CHAPTER7
Hadley
“What about this one?” I step out of the dressing room in a strapless violet dress that flows to the floor and has a slit up to my hip. It’s subtle, but when it splits, it’ll be noticeable that I’m going commando.
I was able to drag Lake out with me by the skin of my teeth. One of the shops was kind enough to clear the store for us, mostly because my Aunt Lil has been a loyal, valuable customer and supporter of hers for years. So, we have silence and privacy.
Lake’s eyes travel up and down my frame critically before saying, “He’s going to rip it off you.”
“That means it’s perfect!” She shakes her head at me with a slight smile on her face.
Ryan is out front waiting for us. He claimed he didn’t want to get his dick chopped off for walking in while I was changing. It happened at the last store. My clumsy ass fell and knocked over a mannequin, and he came running. Thankfully, I had my bra and panties on, at least. We’ve agreed to keep that our secret.
A bell chimes in the store, and I figure it must be a delivery person because it’s not as tinkly as the one from the front door. When I hear raised voices, a chill works up my spine, and I realize it’s not a delivery or an employee.
“Hide,” I snap at Lake, who doesn’t hesitate, but she tries to pull me with her. “Go, now, Lake.” I hiss the words, and she disappears into a clothing rack just as the curtain to our changing suite opens, and in walks two men with guns.
“Where’s the other one?” one man asks. They don’t bother to hide their faces, which tells me so much about their intent.
“Uhm…,” I try my best to ignore the fear racing through my bloodstream. “She went to get a pair of earrings out of the car. I wanted to make sure they match the dress.” I shouldn’t have brought attention to my lack of clothing.
The other man storms forward, and briefly, I wonder what they did with the owner. And how they knew I was here. Because they obviously had that information before they came in.
“What do you want?” I garner the courage to ask. If I can get them to talk, maybe Lake can give Ryan the information, and he can get me out of this.
Maybe.
“The boss wants you,” the first man growls. “Let’s go. We don’t need the other one. That’s just another body to bury.” Lovely.
My arm is grabbed, and I’m wrenched forward. Instinct makes me react, and I throw a punch at this guy's face. Blood drips down from his nose as he stares at me in shock. His backhand isn’t as unexpected, as pain immediately assaults my face, and I’m spun to the ground.
I meet Lake’s terrified stare as I reach forward and grab my clothes, knowing my phone is in the pocket of my shorts. Forced to my feet, my abductor snarls, “You’ll regret that more later.” His eyes infer a suggestion that makes me want to vomit.
With my bundled clothes pressed tightly to my chest, sadness blooms when I see the store owner staring lifelessly up at the ceiling.
“You didn’t have to kill her,” I moan.
A hood is forced over my head, and it's hard not to panic as I’m pushed through the back door and into a vehicle. I’ve always thought of myself as formidable, but I feel about two feet tall and helpless right now.
* * *
Lake
Move!I shout at myself. Do something! I plead.
But I’m frozen. I’m not built for conflict. For anything that makes my pulse race.
I’m weak.
And in this moment, it only proves it.
My best friend, the girl who has guarded me since we were children, has been taken at gunpoint, and even as the tires squeal with their getaway, I can’t force myself to move from my hiding spot.
I’m not sure if it’s seconds, minutes, or hours before finally coercing myself out of hiding, but I close my eyes when I do because I see feet peeking out of the curtain from our suite, and I know it’s the owner.
Rushing to the front of the store, I beat on the door so hard that I bounce back onto my butt. Ryan blows through and immediately senses something is wrong.
“Where’s Hadley?”
“They took her,” I whisper, unable to say more. After helping me to my feet, he ushers me into the back of the car, and I’m not sure if it’s the adrenaline or fear that does it, but I’m out cold before he closes the door.
* * *