“Oh!”
She caught a glimpse of the other jogger, a tall, athletic man dressed head to toe in black running gear and a ski mask.
Her heart clutched.
Nothing to worry about. Let him pass.
Adrenaline sped through her bloodstream. She kicked her pace up a notch, to a full-blown run, her feet slapping the path faster and faster, her breath hard.
It’s all right. It’s all right. It’s all right....
But was it?
He was closing quickly.
Panic swept through her.
He was close enough that she could hear his breathing. Strong. Steady—
The toe of her running shoe caught, and she stumbled forward, arms flying. She managed to catch herself before she went down and somehow kept her balance, though her stride was off.
“Careful,” a deep voice said from behind.
Oh, God! He was only two steps away.
She set her jaw. Told herself to be calm.
Did his voice sound familiar?
Her heart raced crazily.
Out of the park she ran. Onto the path edging the bluff. She’d hoped that he would turn the opposite direction, but he was just a step behind her, heading for the downhill run. Maybe she should just stop and let him breeze by.
If only she had her damned phone.
Or the canister of pepper spray she kept in her purse.
“On your right,” he said, catching up with her, matching her pace stride for stride. Now was the time to pull back. “Enjoying yourself, Josie?” he asked.
Josie? She nearly tripped again He knew her? Oh, God, why was his voice familiar?
“You should be careful, y’know.” His shoulder bumped against hers.
She lost her footing and was starting to go down when he suddenly caught her, the fingers of one strong hand circling her upper arm.
“I told you to be careful!” he declared, his grip tight, painful.
“Let go of me! Who are you?” she demanded as they both stopped. Behind his ski mask he was breathing loudly.
“Don’t you know?” His fingers grew punishing.
“Who you are? No! I said, let go of . . . Hey!” He jerked hard on her arm. “What’re you doing?” But she knew. In one heart-stopping second, she realized he meant to kill her! “Let go of me!” Her feet slipped out from under her as he pushed, and before she realized what was happening, he propelled her to the side of the cliff and the short stone railing. “Don’t! Oh, God, Help me! Help!” She was scrambling now, certain of the son of a bitch’s intent.
Oh, God, no! No!
Frantic, she flailed, trying to keep her balance as he shoved her sharply against the stone rail, cracking her shins.
Pain screamed up her legs.