Taste of Danger

by Alexa Verde

Breathing better after the prayer, she slid out of bed and quietly searched her pockets for a makeshift weapon. But the lipstick was the only thing she found.

  Should she call for help? James would charge to her rescue from the connecting room. But he’d be shot immediately. How could she warn James that she was being kidnapped at gunpoint without risking his life?

  “The door is in that direction.” The intruder shoved her in the back.

  “I’m moving,” she hissed as she made several steps. Meanwhile, she unscrewed the lipstick in her pocket and smeared her fingers in it. Her mind whirled.

  Maybe she’d have a chance to escape once in the hall? Not likely. Nobody could outrun a bullet.

  “There’s an armchair on your right. Step around it,” the Diamond Guy ordered.

  She shifted to the left, fighting panic. Once the kidnappers found out she didn’t know where the treasure was, they’d kill her.

  “Hurry up.” The barrel of the gun pressed painfully between her shoulder blades.

  “I can’t see where I’m going.” She raised her voice louder than a whisper. Maybe James would hear her?

  “Stop talking!” The intruder pushed her forward again.

  Before she could pretend to stumble and cause a racket to wake up James, the kidnapper grabbed her arm, and pain shot up to her shoulder. It reminded her of Ron and the bruises he used to leave on her arms. The ones she’d hidden from the Danger Girls and her mother for as long as she could…

  Nobody was ever going to hurt her like that again. She was going to find a way out. She had to.

  “Move faster toward the door,” the Diamond guy said in a low voice.

  “I need to change,” she protested.

  “No, you don’t.” The man sounded amused now.

  In a way, the intruder was right. She’d slept in her shirt and jeans, just in case she had to get out in a hurry. She hadn’t imagined that “in a hurry” would be like this.

  They left the room, and she blinked fast to adjust to the bright light. He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the hall, which was, sadly, completely deserted. Her heart thundered in her chest. She’d lost her chance to call for James.

  You’re just a stupid, useless kid. She hushed her stepfather’s voice in her head. She knew better now.

  She hoped James wouldn’t blame himself when he woke up.

  As they reached the exit, she wrapped her hand around the handle, her palm smeared in lipstick, to mark the trail for James.

  “Open the door,” the Diamond Guy growled.

  She did so, and they stepped outside, a wave of warm air hitting her. Summer nights in south Texas felt hotter than the air-conditioned air inside. But she’d never complain about the hot climate again. Why had she wasted so much time on complaining and worrying anyway?

  Her mind whirled with the urgency to escape. What could she do?

  “Do you see that red van, parked between a blue sedan and a motorcycle? Walk in that direction.” The man’s order made her flinch.

  She obeyed, her thoughts running wildly, clashing with each other. If he got her into that car, her chances of survival would be slim to none.

  She desperately wanted to live. James’s image flashed in her mind, and she squelched a tinge of regret. She’d never given herself a chance with him.

  As she moved deliberately slow toward the red van, tremors went through her body. Could she hit Diamond Guy in the kneecap, dart toward one of the vehicles, and hide behind it? Or was the distance too small?

  Gathering her courage, she smashed her heel into the place where she figured his kneecap was. He grunted, and the pressure of the barrel in her back loosened. She took off in a run, heavy footsteps thudding behind her.

  Seconds later, she was in his deadly grasp again. His fingers encircled her arm so tightly that pain ricocheted through her entire body.

  “Don’t ever try to pull something like that again,” he growled into her ear, and the stench of sweat and expensive cologne invaded her nostrils again.

  While she put one heavy foot in front of the other, she hoped somebody would have insomnia and would look out the window and see her struggle. But the parking lot was eerily silent.

  Every step brought her closer to the red van and, quite possibly, her death.

  She took in a sharp breath. She wasn’t ready to die, not when she’d finally found herself — and people who meant so much to her. She’d fight to the end.

  But she couldn’t do it on her own.

  Dear Lord, please help me survive this. And if it’s my time to go, please take care of my father, my mother, James, and the Danger Girls. Amen.

  Chapter Seven

  James fought grogginess. His eyelids seemed to weigh a ton, but finally he managed to lift them. It was pitch-black in the room, and relatively quiet, with only a TV humming somewhere in the distance. But his instinct spurred him on. He needed to check on Soledad.

  His mind foggy, he stumbled toward the connecting room. His thoughts were sluggish. Maybe his body screamed for rest in order for the wound to heal. Instead, he’d been putting himself through the wringer.

  But Soledad’s safety was more important. He tapped on the door to the connecting room, hating to wake her up. Silence was his only answer.

  “Soledad, are you okay?” He raised his voice and knocked louder.

  Still no answer.

  Adrenaline rushed through his veins, giving him energy to fight the fatigue. He grabbed his weapon. “I’m going to enter the room.”

  Holding his .45 in his right hand, he stepped inside the connecting room, grateful she’d agreed to keep the door ajar. He flipped the light switch on.

  His heart took a tumble. She wasn’t in the room. There was no light inside the bathroom, but he knocked on the door nonetheless.

  “Soledad, are you there? I just need to know you’re all right.”

  There was no answer, so he entered. The bathroom was empty, as well. He left it and scanned her room. The fog filling his mind evaporated with this immediate threat to the woman he’d begun to care about.

  The urgency to find Soledad pulsated through him. Where was she?

  Her purse was on the nightstand near the bed, and her duffel bag was lying near the armchair. She wouldn’t have left without them. And now he noticed something he hadn’t when he’d entered the room. Soledad’s lavender scent lingered in the room. But another scent was added to it, of sweat mixed with expensive cologne.

  His pulse going into overdrive, he sprinted to the hall. He doubted she’d left to get a midnight snack from a vending machine. Had she been kidnapped?

  Dear Lord, please keep Soledad safe in Your care.

  The prayer appeared in his mind unexpectedly.

  A huge weight seemed to be lifted from his shoulders, but he didn’t stop to analyze it. The hall was empty, as well as the small room with the vending machine. Running through the hall, he debated stopping by the receptionist desk and making inquiries. No, there was no time to waste. He doubted the kidnappers — if she’d been taken against her will — would take her near the receptionist.

  As he reached the fire exit, he called 911 and reported the situation. But how could he know for sure she’d been taken this way? An imprint of something pink on the handle caused his heart to skip a beat. Soledad’s lipstick! She’d left a trail for him.

  So he was on the right track.

  He rushed outside and zoomed in on the parking lot. Every cell in his body was on high alert now, his previous sluggishness gone. A guy in black clothes and a low-drawn cap moved closely to a figure James had trouble seeing. But the silhouette seemed to be similar to Soledad’s. The height and the massive build of the guy, as well as the cap, were close to the driver of the black van. James sprinted toward them as they were walking toward a red van.

  Keeping his footfalls as noiseless as possible, he zigzagged between the vehicles, doing his best to stay hidden. Then he reached an angle where he could see the woman better.


  Soledad.

  Worry for her grabbed him by the throat. He had to make it to her in time to stop the perp.

  Of course, she wouldn’t go with the guy voluntarily, so he was probably holding her at gunpoint. Or had he injected her with something?

  The only consolation was that she was still alive, and if the guy was trying to kidnap her, he’d hopefully keep her alive for some time. And the fact that he hadn’t driven her away yet was good news. There was a possibility of stopping him.

  Thank You, Lord. Please help me free Soledad. Amen.

  Feeling more confident after the prayer, James got as close to them as possible.

  He took aim. He probably could take the kidnapper out, but he might hit Soledad, too. No, he couldn’t take that chance. Of course, if she ducked, that would help. She was smart and would do that if she knew about his presence. But if he attracted her attention, he’d attract the kidnapper’s attention, as well. And being unnoticed was so far the biggest advantage James had.

  The guy and Soledad reached the red van. She told him something, then gestured to the hotel. The kidnapper tried to push her inside, but she stood her ground.

  Good move. She was obviously stalling. James crouched behind a car, trying to time his attack.

  Moving as stealthily as possible, he positioned himself behind the guy’s back. Now she could see him. Her gaze stopped at him. James froze, afraid she’d give him away. But her expression didn’t change, and she shifted her gaze quickly. He suppressed a sigh of relief. The shy librarian apparently had nerves of steel.

  Unexpectedly, she slid to the ground. In that instance, he could make his move without risk she’d get shot. Reluctant to kill someone in cold blood, he grabbed the kidnapper in a neck hold from behind with his right hand instead of shooting. With his left hand, James hit the guy’s hand that was holding the weapon. The gun fell to the ground with a loud clatter, and she reached for it.

  His wounded shoulder rewarded him with throbbing pain, and he weakened his hold for a brief moment. The kidnapper elbowed him in the stomach. Pain exploded inside James, but he increased his choke hold on the guy.

  “You do as I say, or you’ll die,” Soledad said from the ground, pointing the guy’s own weapon at him. Her voice trembled slightly, but her hand with the gun was steady.

  Admiration stirred inside James.

  Tires screeched in the distance. A dark van with tinted windows flew through the parking lot. James gritted his teeth. Eliseev’s kidnappers had driven a similar make and model. The vehicle slowed down as it neared them, windows rolled down, and rifles appeared.

  James pushed the kidnapper forward, grabbed Soledad’s hand, and jerked her to her feet. They ducked behind one of the vehicles. The cover wasn’t perfect protection from bullets, but it was better than nothing.

  Soledad’s kidnapper jumped inside the red van and drove off, burning rubber. Eyes narrowed, James trained his gun at the black vehicle, preparing for battle.

  Right now, his chances for survival didn’t look good. His gut knotted. Could he stall them long enough for the police to arrive? He committed to memory the license number on the slim chance he’d stay alive.

  The rifles disappeared and the tinted windows rolled up. The black vehicle took off after the red van at high speed.

  “I thought they were together,” Soledad whispered.

  “Looks like the team isn’t happy with the driver. Works for me.” James drew her close to him.

  She was trembling in his arms. She didn’t have nerves of steel, after all. She simply had lots of courage. He hugged her tighter, willing her trembling to stop.

  Tenderness growing inside him, he kissed her on the top of her head. “It’s going to be okay. You’re safe now.”

  She whispered a prayer of gratitude, and he almost joined her.

  Her shivers subsided, and she leaned into him. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  His blood rushed faster in his veins, but for a different reason than adrenaline pumping. Holding her did strange things to him. He wanted to be close to her, and not only because she was Sergey’s daughter and she was in danger. In the short time he’d gotten to know her, he admired her as a woman and as a person.

  If he wasn’t careful, he’d fall for her. Not an option. Not an option at all.

  Sirens wailed in the distance, and soon a patrol car came to a stop near them.

  Aidan rolled down the window. “What happened?”

  James explained quickly, and Soledad surrendered the kidnapper’s gun.

  “Come to the station to give statements and to look through mug shots later,” Aidan said. “We’ll put out be-on-the-lookouts for both cars. Good job on remembering their licenses, even though they’ll probably try to change them soon. I’ve lost some time, but I’ll try to pursue them. They probably took the highway north, and I know shortcuts.”

  Sirens blared in the air as Aidan took off.

  “We should go after them,” Soledad said.

  His eyes widened. “You can’t be serious.”

  But she ran toward his motorcycle. He had no choice other than to take off after her.

  “I have a bad premonition about Aidan,” she said on the way. “He shouldn’t have gone without backup.”

  “Stop.” James snatched her hand, her stubbornness infuriating him. Right now, he preferred a shy librarian to the person with no consideration for her own safety. “You’re taking a huge risk.”

  She jerked her hand out and kept running. “We don’t have to get too close. Please?” A note of desperation in her voice tore at him.

  Knowing he was going to regret it, he jumped on his motorcycle and revved up the engine. The red vehicle and the black van would be far gone by now. So if it made Soledad feel better, they could follow in the direction they had disappeared. He threw her the helmet and put on his own.

  They flew over the road. Night traffic in Rios Azules was almost nonexistent. She clung to him, and he had to admit he liked it.

  As the motorcycle ate up miles, memories invaded his mind. The endearing expression on her face when she ate the cheesecake. The light in her eyes when she prayed. Her courage when she’d saved his life. She had a quiet beauty about her that couldn’t remain hidden for long. He wished he’d met her under different circumstances. Then he could date her, take her to concerts, famous restaurants, even horseback riding. He liked learning more about her, and he liked her learning more about herself.

  He forced the images out of his head as he steered on a sharp curve. After the breakup with Melissa, his relationships had never lasted, and Soledad deserved a solid, long-lasting relationship. That thought upset him more than it should have.

  There was still no sign of the black or red vehicles. Should he turn around?

  Bright-beam lights appeared from around the curve in the road. The lights were jerking left and right. He tensed. Was the car swerving? Beam lights ended up in his lane, growing larger with every moment.

  Tiny hairs on the back of his neck rose. What was going on? Was the driver drunk? Other lights followed, these ones in the oncoming traffic lane.

  Oh, no. His gut twisted. From his drive to Rios Azules, he recalled a bridge ahead. If the car driving toward him didn’t manage to return to its own lane, he’d have to go off the road sooner rather than later. Maintaining his composure, he slowed down.

  His grip tightened around the handlebars. He didn’t have much space to maneuver. In spite of the motor’s growl, he heard Soledad’s sharp intake of breath.

  She whispered something, and he guessed she was praying.

  He steered the motorcycle onto the shoulder. The red van flew by, missing them by mere inches. Seconds later, the black vehicle rushed past them in the oncoming traffic lane. He brought the motorcycle to a complete stop and killed the engine, relief flooding through him. Thankfully, she’d opted for the motorcycle. Had they been in her car, they might not have made it.

  She shivered behind him.

  “How
are you holding up?” He wanted to hug her and console her, but he shouldn’t allow himself to get too close to her.

  “I’m ok-k-kay.” Her voice trembled, contradicting her words.

  He barely resisted the urge to reach out to her.

  “Thank You, Lord, for saving us,” she whispered in a moment, her voice firmer now.

  He wanted to join her in prayer, but it was difficult for him. It had been so much easier to pray when her life had been in danger.

  “We need to find Aidan,” she said.

  “What?” Incredulous, he stared at her. Had he misheard her?

  “Please? I’m worried about him.” Her pleading tugged at his heart.

  He started the engine. As much as he didn’t like the idea, the need to help won over caution. If Aidan was pursuing the black van, wouldn’t he be back by now? What had happened to him? Dread pooled in the pit of James’s stomach as he steered back onto the lane.

  For some distance, the road looked deserted. But soon his worst suspicions were confirmed. His heart fell. In the darkness, his motorcycle’s light illuminated a patrol car smashed into a tree. Something shattered inside him as he slowed down.

  Memories of the night he’d almost died came back.

  Pain.

  Fear.

  Despair.

  “We have to help him!” Soledad yelled over the motor’s growl.

  He clenched his teeth. What if the car caught on fire? He knew too well how fast that could happen. He silenced his inner protest. No matter the risk, he’d have to do what Sergey had done for him.

  James stopped near the skid marks and turned the emergency light on, hoping it would give the police and the ambulance a good enough mark.

  “Wait for me here.” He jumped off the motorcycle.

  “No. I can help.”

  James groaned. Well, no time for arguing. “Fine. But keep close.”

  He called 911 and made a quick report while rushing toward the patrol car. After disconnecting, he snatched her hand in order not to lose her. She stumbled, and he held her up to prevent her from falling.

  They made it to the vehicle in no time. His fears came true when a gasoline scent reached his nostrils. Dread in his stomach intensified as he took in the vehicle. The front tire on the driver’s side was blown out, probably hit by a bullet. Black holes in the doors made his heart squeeze painfully. Was Aidan wounded? If so, how badly?