Slinging her backpack over one shoulder, Radley scanned the parking garage.Boone had followed her right to the gate, waving goodbye as she’d entered alone.
He would’ve followed her up to her damn condo if she let him.
She recalled their argument before she left Shadow Security earlier.
“Holt said you wanted me to stand down—that you could handle yourself.Except those texts are a little too friendly.You’re still being targeted,” he said, his voice hard.
“Yes, but I’ll handle it.They’ll get tired of harassing me.”
Laughter erupted from his lips.“Bullshit.You’re a beautiful woman, and they want you.”
Radley had licked her lips, amused.“You think I’m beautiful?”
Boone stared her down.“Of course I do.I also don’t like thinking about anything happening to you.”
The intensity in his eyes had startled her.Boone was a protective type of guy, and she almost didn’t know what to make of his attention toward her.They were colleagues, and he was treating it like his personal mission to ensure her safety.Yet it had been more than a week since the fire at the cabin, and not a thing had happened.
Maybe they’d gotten tired of messing with her for the time being.
“I haven’t gotten any new messages today,” Radley told him.“I even checked with IT since they have my old phone.”
“That doesn’t mean a damn thing.”
“Follow me back to my building then,” Radley told him.“There are cameras and security all over the place.You don’t need to walk me to my door and tuck me into bed.”
Boone’s eyes heated, and she couldn’t stop her smile.Neither of them was willing to admit they were attracted to one another.That sure as hell didn’t stop the electricity between them any time he was near.
“Play nice, kitten.”
“Who says I’m nice?”she taunted.Radley flashed him a grin over her shoulder as she sauntered away, noting Boone’s eyes on her ass.She liked teasing him because she knew he’d never take advantage of her.Boone might be as stubborn as her, but he was honorable.She respected him a hell of a lot for that.
Keys in hand, Radley typed in the code to enter the underground lobby and then took the elevator up to her floor.She walked confidently down the hall, scanning the area.Every door was closed.Not a thing was out of place.
When the door to the stairwell opened, it took her a moment to register someone was there who shouldn’t be.The underground garage was the dangerous spot—not the hallway mere feet from her front door.
Her stomach dropped, a scream escaping from her lips, as a masked man jumped out and grabbed her.Radley kicked at him, struggling to free herself from his iron grip as he moved with her to the stairwell.He was bigger than her.Stronger.And she was trapped against him, immobile.
One muscled arm pinned her own arms in place.A gloved hand covered her mouth, trying to muffle her cries.The guy was strong, wearing heavy cologne and another scent she couldn’t quite place.Exhaust?She didn’t have time to worry about it.
The heavy door closing behind them felt like someone was shutting her tomb.
No one had come out into the hallway.No one knew she was in danger.
Radley’s gaze caught on the security camera in the stairwell, noting it had been covered with a dark cloth.Had he covered the camera downstairs, too?
Most likely.
“Time to collect my payment,” the man said with a dark chuckle, his voice harsh.
She bit down on his gloved hand—hard, and he cursed and nearly dropped her.The man shoved her against the door, the handle of it painfully jutting into her side.Radley yelped in surprise, shock crashing through her, then fought with every ounce of her being.
Elbowing him in the stomach, she screamed again, long and loud.
Radley spun around, jerking her hand up so her palm connected with his nose, causing him to cry out in shock as blood ran down his face.
“Stupid bitch!”he roared.
Radley pushed him away from the door while he was distracted by his bloody nose.He came for her again, but with one hand trying to stop the bleeding, he was distracted.She delivered a solid roundhouse kick to his ribs, the sickening crack satisfying.He staggered, losing his balance at the top of the stairs, and tumbling down.Radley watched him fall, clutching onto his side.She didn’t wait to see if he’d get up.