Anxiety spikes, I want to move faster. Turning back to face forward, I walk straight into a massive, bulky figure. The man grabs me and pulls me into the nearest store, and instantly, I want to scream.
But within moments, I recognize his cologne and grab at Simon’s shirt as I look up at him.
“I’m being followed!” I say in a tight squeal of panic.
“I know. I saw them,” he growls angrily, shoving me protectively behind himself.
The two men in dark suits walk past the store, glaring at Simon with intent, scowls drawn across their faces.
Once they’re passed, Simon grabs me and drags me back out into the mall section, and we start moving toward the exit.
“We have to move quickly. I’m parked at exit seven. The car is armored, so all we need to do is get you in there, and you’ll be safe. If anything happens, you keep going, Blair. Do not stop!” He shoves the car keys into my back pocket. “In case you’re ahead of me,” he says.
He speaks as we move, keeping a tight grip on my hand to make sure I don’t lag behind. While he takes long walking strides, I have to jog to keep up.
I feel sick to my stomach. Tension crackles through my body, and I fight the urge to turn around and see how close the men are.Focus forward. Just get to safety.
We burst through the exit doors and into the harsh sunlight, which blinds me for a moment.
Simon pulls me even closer as we run faster now.
“Push the button,” he says with urgency.
I grab the keys from my back pocket and press the unlock button.
Ahead of us, it flashes orange lights.
“Simon!” A man’s voice bellows from the left.
Simon spins to face it and screams for me to keep running.
I glance to the left and see Jaco. He looks exactly the same as the photograph that was on Simon’s desk. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach when I notice the gun in his hand. In slow motion, he raises it, pointing it right at me, tracking my movements as I sprint toward the car.
“Jaco, stop!” Simon shouts in a dark rage.
A smile spreads over Jaco’s face.
I hear the shot. He has a silencer on, but I still hear it. It’s like a low thud. Pressure in my ears.
And I wait. I wait to feel pain. I wait for my body to register the impact of a bullet. I wait, but nothing happens. I know the drill, though. Shock makes people oblivious to being shot. I might not know I’m bleeding to death.
Glancing down at my body as I reach the car, I see no blood.
Confusion flickers against the fear.He must have shot Simon!
A scream bubbles in my throat, but as I spin toward Simon, I see he’s still running.
And Jaco is the one on the ground writhing in pain.
“You fucking asshole!” Jaco bellows, clutching his leg.
“Get in the fucking car!” Simon yells at me.
I leap into the car, and Simon is in a second later.
Tires scream against tar as he accelerates forward, racing out of the parking area. Two bullets hit the side of the car, but the armored shell protects us.
My heart is racing, my hands are shaking, and I look down at my lap, wondering how the hell I am still carrying my shopping bags. I thought I’d dropped them long ago.