Page 292 of Nobody's Girl

Laura squeezes her and says, “You better not, Alyssa Shaylee Fontaine!”

The jeep has been brought from the other house for us to go to the zoo in. Kyle jumps in the back seat, sitting in the middle.

The top has been taken off, to be sure Stiles can see us if he’s looking. Our plan is to stand out. After helping Alyssa in, I walk around to the driver’s side, getting in.

As we take off, I say, “Here we go.”

My mate fidgets with her hands. Her nerves are taking her over. Kyle’s hand lands on her shoulder, rubbing it. He says, “Ally, stop worrying, girl. You couldn’t be safer. With the two of us watching over you, that freak will never get to touch you.”

I hope to God he’s right.

She turns and gives him a smile. “I know I’m being silly. You guys won’t let anything happen to me. I know that.”

I take the exit off the highway, which leads us to the zoo. As we pull in, I noticed that the parking lot is full of cars. We finally find a parking space, then get out and head to the ticket line.

There’s a lot of people here today. I find myself wishing our trip here was as happy an occasion as it is for the people around us.

Once inside, I take my place on one side of Alyssa.  Kyle’s on the other side of her. I lead them to look at the monkeys. I find I can’t seem to concentrate on anything. My eyes are constantly scanning the crowd for Stiles.

My phone vibrates and I answer it. “Hello? I’ll let her know,” I say, and then hand the phone to Kyle. “Laura wants to talk to you.”

Kyle takes the phone as I look at my mate. I tell her, “He’s here. Scotty and Laura spotted him on the zoo’s surveillance system. Now, don’t go getting all shaky, because he’ll know something’s up, as I’m sure he’s looking at us right now. So keep it cool. Promise me.”

“I promise,” she says, then sends me, ‘I’m freaking out inside though.’

I send her, ‘I know you are, princess. We’ve got you. Don’t let fear rule you.’

Kyle hands the phone back to me. “Game on, then. You keeping it together, Ally?”

She nods her head. “Not really, but I’m finding I’m a pretty great actress. I see an academy award in my future,” she says, nervously laughing a little.

We both laugh with her and I take her hand in mine, leading them to the next exhibit. We look at the birds and the bears. Then we come to the lions. Kyle looks at them intently. “Do you guys hate lions as much as I do?” he asks.

My phone vibrates again. This time it’s just a text – We are here. Time to bait the trap-

I look at Alyssa, then over to Kyle. “Get ready everybody. It’s time,” I tell them.

I lead them to an area where there’s a small café with restrooms, one on each side of it. So Alyssa is forced to leave us as we go to the men’s room and she has to walk over to the other side of the small building to get to the ladies' room.

I look her in the eyes. “Just stay cool and relaxed. We have you,” I tell her, then turn and walk into the restroom as Kyle gives her a wink, then follows me.

This better work!

CHAPTER 53

ALYSSA

I turn slowly, trying not to act afraid even though I’m clearly terrified and looking down at the ground as I walk. I glance up to see how far away I am from the ladies’ room, then turn to look behind me to see how far I am from Eden and Kyle. They’ve gone into the men’s room.

Supposedly, they will intercept Stiles before he comes into the restroom.

God, please don’t let him hurt me. Don’t let something go wrong, please!

I turn back around, looking down again. Dirty, brown dress shoes come into my vision. I look up slowly. There’s a red, chubby, round face with sweat dripping off his forehead.

It’s Stiles!

Suddenly, I’m slammed through the ladies’ room door as he pushes me in, then follows me.