"I just got off the phone with them a minute ago. I told them no one was injured and gave them a description of the vehicle. They should be here soon." AJ slumped back against his broken car.
"I'm really sorry, man. I know you only got this at Christmas."
AJ shrugged. "I've got insurance. I'm just pissed that..." He shook his head, looking pained as he finally met Zach's gaze. "What if something had happened to Liesl?" he whispered, crossing his arms and looking shaky. "Shit man, I just couldn't handle that."
Zach leaned forward, squeezing AJ's shoulder and understanding for the first time how he really felt. Worrying over Lucy had been a killer. To know it was all nearly over was such a relief it made him want to cry.
He wondered if she was back at the house yet. He hoped his breezy note was enough. She'd probably freak out when she returned to an empty house. He'd left the door unlocked for her. A risky move, but he figured she wouldn't be too far from returning and didn't want her shut out of the house.
Crossing his arms, he tapped his finger on his bicep. He wanted to get back to her, but knew AJ needed him more at the moment. He'd stick around until the cops arrived and be a support while AJ gave his statement.
Glancing at his watch, he hoped they wouldn't take too long.
"So, did you recognize the car?" Zach propped his butt against the hood, next to AJ. "It wasn't Mr. Patrick, was it? You know what a crap driver he is."
AJ chuckled drily and shook his head. "Nah, I didn't recognize the car at all. Just a blue SUV. I didn't catch the plates, which pisses me off. I think the way they can do that in the movies is such a crock."
"Yeah." Zach snickered.
"But I did get a glimpse of the driver. He looked like a mean son of a bitch."
"Are you sure?" Liesl looked up at the boys. "I thought he looked more focused and determined."
"He looked pissed."
"Yeah, that's true." Liesl shivered. "I know we only glimpsed him, but he was kind of creepy looking."
"What do you mean?" Jaeda asked softly.
"He was just a middle aged guy with this really soulless look in his eyes."
"You got all that from a glimpse?" Jaeda wrinkled her nose making Liesl shake her head.
"I know it seems weird, but I can see it like a photograph in my head. Square face. White blond hair. Pale green eyes."
"What did you just say?" Zach jerked away from the car.
Liesl glanced up at him. "Um, I was just describing the guy."
"Middle aged. Pale green eyes?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "What's the matter? You look like you're about to pass out."
Zach ignored the question, pulling his keys out of his back pocket. His fingers trembled as he tried to hold the car key straight. "Which way did you say he was going?"
AJ frowned, glancing at the girls before looking back at Zach. "That way." He pointed down the road, stealing the air from Zach's lungs.
"I gotta go." Zach didn't have time for an explanation. As he sprinted across the road, all he could visualize was the picture of William Tenner that he'd held in his hands only two days ago. White blond hair. Pale green, soulless eyes.
"Shit, no, please." Zach breathed as he started his car and checked the road before doing a quick U-turn and accelerating down the street in the direction of his house...and Lucy.
Chapter 31
LUCY
I ran my fingers under the water and flicked off the droplets. The temperature was good. The bath was nice and deep so it'd take a while to fill. I was tempted to strip off and jump straight in, let it fill around me, but I also liked the idea of Zach coming home and undressing me again. That sensual look in his eyes as he studied my body, made fire rush through my center. My sweaty running clothes were in the hamper, but my panties and bra were still in place...unless I went and changed into clean ones. It'd probably be kind of gross for him to take off my smelly underwear.
I wrinkled my nose, deciding instead to strip as soon as I heard him coming up the stairs. I could maybe strike a pose against the vanity.
I rolled my eyes and sniggered. What was Zach turning me into?
With a little hum, I tied a knot in the shower curtain to keep it out of the way, before rolling up a towel for a headrest. I was just searching the cabinet for some bubbles when I heard the front door click. I'd purposely left it unlocked to make Zach's journey to me as fast as possible.
I grinned.
"I'm upstairs if you'd like to join me!"
I silently giggled at my boldness, not in a million years would I do this with anyone else, but in the love department, Zach was turning me into a brave, secure woman.
Woman.
I rolled my eyes again, feeling more like a naughty kid as I stretched up from my crouch and went to unclasp my bra.
"Hello Lucy."
A chill swept through me. My hands dropped to my sides, my eyes bulging wide as terror tried to turn my muscles to ice.
I didn't need to look around to see whose voice it was. The waves of nausea coursing through me were my best indicator.