I try to sidestep him, but he moves in front of me again. The scent of alcohol assaults my nostrils as the unkempt man blocks me again.
“Look, I’ve caught the little LeClaire.” It irks me when people call me the little one. I don’t need a reminder that I’m younger and shorter than my sisters.
“If you know who I am, then you should know you need to move,” I point out with more bravado than I feel.
The way his chapped lips turn into a smirk and his red rimmed hazel eyes study me give me a very bad feeling. This isn’t a very populated area since it houses business offices. Most of these companies are close by seven. The bookstore is one of the last businesses to close. Howard would still be inside and unaware of my issue.
“Then how would we hold you for ransom?” another guy questions from my right. He’s not much taller than me but he’s all muscle.
“Kidnapping a founder’s child is death on the island,” I refute although my adrenaline is spiking.
My car is so close but too far away. I turn to run in the opposite direction but the other guy pounces and pulls me by the hair. I release a yelp before his gritty hand covers my mouth. He lets me go when I stomp on his instep but the first one grabs me after I yell.
“Behave bitch, before we mess up that pretty face of yours,” he growls, as he rubs his knife on my cheek.
“Now, gentlemen. That’s no way to treat a lady.” I’m relieved to hear Caerwyn’s voice but am nervous he’ll get kidnapped right along with me. He’s nice and these men are not.
“Fuck off!” the one I kicked threatens, followed by the click of a gun.
My captor turns me. My heart drops seeing Caerwyn at gunpoint although his signature smirk is still on his face.
“Guys, I’m helping you out. This crime is punishable with death. Are you sure it’s worth it?”
“Just take him, too,” the one holding me orders.
His partner takes a menacing step towards Caerwyn to force him towards the van. Caerwyn’s hand flies towards the guy, quickly disarming him and wrapping his arm around the man’s throat. Caerwyn presses the nuzzle of the gun to his hostage’s temple.
His smile is gone, and his eyes take on a dangerous edge.
“My friend for yours,” he orders the guy holding me. “Let her go and I’ll let him live.”
“Don’t negotiate with me, pretty boy, you don’t have it in you to pull the trigger.”
“Is that a gamble your friend is willing to take?”
“No!” the guy yells. “Let her go man. Let’s just go.”
“We’re going to sell this bitch on the black market if the LeClaires don’t pay up. He’s full of shit, he’s not a killer.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
To my dismay, Caerwyn lets the guy go. The man holding me chuckles.
“Give him his gun back you pussy.”
Caerwyn laughs with him. “No, I want you to come and get it.”
“Fine!” the man roars, pushes me to his friend, then charges at Caerwyn.
Caerwyn jabs him in the throat with the butt of the gun then punches him with enough force to knock him on his ass. He points the gun at the guy holding me.
“Don’t make me fucking repeat myself,” his tone is one I’ve never heard before.
The man lets me go and flashes his hand in surrender. I put distance between us just as the man on the ground tries to kick Caerwyn. He blocks the kick and drops to his knee, leaning all his weight on the man’s nuts. The man cries out as his eyes tear up.
“You’re right. I’m not a killer. Death is too easy. I like to fuck up people’s lives so much that all they can do is think about the moment over and over again until they thoroughly regret ever meeting me. Guess what happens after that? Paranoia and fear. You’ll spend your days looking over your shoulder, hoping like hell I never show up again. Call the police, Imala.”
I was so shocked by the change in Caerwyn, I forgot to call. I dial the emergency number with shaky fingers.