Page 26 of Love in Overdrive

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Laney wiggled in her seat. She shouldn’t have had that can of pop after work. Then again, she didn’t know she’d be held captive in a car for the rest of the day. She’d watched the scenery until the sun set a couple of hours ago. Now, she watched the minutes tick by on the dash clock. Honestly, between the near miss with the train and the twitchy gunman, she didn’t think she had many more minutes left.

Here she sat… no phone, thanks to the A-hole in the backseat, on her way to… God only knew? Laney had lost track of where they were over an hour ago.

She squinted out the window into the dark night, trying to figure out where they were. Shadows of pine trees lined the road on both sides. She hadn’t seen another structure in miles, let alone any signs of civilization.

Something moved. Her attention cut to the side of the road. Laney’s fingernails bit into her thighs. “Was that a bear?” She gasped.

“No talking,” the gunman snapped.

Yeah, she got it. He berated her for every peep.

Cade slipped his hand over hers.

“Hands on the wheel, Loverboy.”

He gave her a little squeeze. He was probably trying to reassure her that it would be alright. If only she could believe that. Laney swallowed hard.

“Stop the car.” The guy barked out the command.

“Here?” Cade turned to look at the guy.

“Are you deaf? I said stop the car.” He waved the gun between them.

Cade slammed on the brakes. The force threw her forward in her seat.

Whoa. What the…? Laney caught herself seconds before her head hit the dash. She peered out the window, taking in their surroundings. Nothing. Just trees and a single lane dirt road. They were in the sticks. The boondocks. The middle of nowhere.

A sob welled up in her throat. This was it. The end.

“Now, out of the car, nice and easy.” The gun never wavered.

Cade nodded for her to comply. The look in his eye both reassured her and frightened her. She slid from the vehicle. Rubbing her arms, she sent up a prayer. She wasn’t ready to meet her maker yet.

A shot rang out. A scream ripped from her throat.

Whirling around, she hugged herself. The car rocked. She could make out a faint outline of the men inside. She covered her eyes when Cade’s body hurled over the seat.

She told herself not to watch, but she peeked through her fingers. She should help. But she didn’t know how.

Bouncing in place, she watched random arms and legs through the window. Someone landed a punch.

“Please, let it be Cade.” A fist drove up and into the other guy’s chin. She flinched as the guy’s head jerked back.

Don’t just stand there. Help! Before she could take a step, the back door flew open and Cade rolled out.

She watched with horror as the guy scrambled over the seat. A second later, the car sped off, the back door still open.

“Cade! Are you alright?” She dropped to her knees beside him. With unsteady hands, she patted him down, searching for bullet holes.

He groaned. “The guy has a fist like a sledgehammer.”

The breath she held rushed out. He was alive. Thank you, Jesus.

She fell onto him, wrapping him in her arms.

He winced.