“I said, ‘shut the fuck up,’” he reminded her and she stopped herself from pleading with him.
Fight! Don’t worry about the gun. He’s going to kill you anyway, the way he murdered the others. You know it. You’ll end up dead if you don’t resist. But her body wouldn’t respond and her head was pounding. Come on, come on. She tried to kick out, but her bound legs were rubbery and useless. Was there a security camera recording this, a guard even now watching the scene playing out in this night-shadowed parking area? Oh please!
“One bad move and I’ll tase you again, little bitch. I know you talked to Rafferty, and that just wasn’t smart. You’ll have to pay for that.”
She studied this man she’d known for so many years, a man, she realized now, she didn’t know at all. Why? she wondered anxiously. Why, why, why?
Carter had obviously killed Trini and that woman found in the Columbia River and probably Greg and maybe Emma, his own damned siblings.
Her lips still were wet with the vile saliva from his tongue. Her stomach revolted. Desperately, she tried to think of a way to save herself, but getting out of the car would be hard, running or escaping impossible. Her phone was long gone and no one, not one soul, was around.
She couldn’t let him get away with it. Gun or no gun.
She opened her mouth, intent on screaming, but just as she did he shoved a rag that smelled acrid and foul deep into her throat. She couldn’t help the gag reflex that followed but fought the urge to throw up.
God help me.
Satisfied with his work, Carter slammed the door shut and hurried around the vehicle. Instead of getting inside immediately, he took the time to reach into the backseat and withdraw a jacket that he shrugged in to, though he was still wearing his damned ski mask and hoodie beneath it.
She tried to focus on the inside of the car. Could she lock him out? Find a way to press the lock and . . . no. What about a weapon? Or getting out of the car? Staying in the vehicle, doing what he asked, was certain death.
But she was totally helpless, bound as she was.
Fear pounded in her brain. Think, Andi, think! You have to save yourself.
Ignoring the bad taste in her mouth, she leaned forward, intent on using the hand bound behind her back to locate the door handle, work the right buttons and somehow escape. Before she could even try the door, he slid inside the driver’s seat, the interior light casting a dim glow before he jerked the door closed again and they were plunged into darkness once more. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned, then leaned over to buckle her in. Not for her safety, she realized, but to disable her further. As he reached across her, she considered biting him, trying to sink her teeth into his arm, but the gag prevented her, and with a click, the seat belt was engaged and she had less room to move.
“Time to go,” he said with a smile in his voice and quickly started the engine. “Like my jacket?” He was preening, but a deadly weapon lay across his lap. “It’s the same one Ben wears.”
He was driving them out of the lot. Desperately, Andi tried to free herself, but she couldn’t do it. “Don’t you think we’ll look good on camera? A lot of people saw you walk out with Ben. He’s gonna have a lot to answer for.”
You son of a bitch.
If she could just get free, or find a way to use a weapon and jump him. But right now it was impossible. Her heart sank and she told herself not to give up. Just wait. Be patient. He might just make a mistake.
Then again, he might not.
He hit the accelerator. The car lurched forward. Panicked, Andi tried vainly to struggle.
“You don’t listen, Andi. It’s one of your biggest problems. Try anything and I’ll fuckin’ tase you. Did you hear it that time?” The gun was still on his lap.
She made gurgling sounds, and he abruptly pulled the car to the curb and in one quick motion opened the glove box, removed a roll of duct tape, and tore off a hunk with his teeth. “No more noise,” he warned, yanking the rag from her mouth.
She gasped, drew in a fresh breath, and tried to struggle as he slapped the duct tape harshly over her lips, the very lips he’d licked.
Again her stomach heaved, but she held back the acid burning up her throat.
Leaning so close, she felt his breath against her ear as he whispered, “I’ve waited so long for this. We have a game to play out,” he said, and for a second his voice held a far-off quality, as if he were looking into the future.
Icy fear shot down Andi’s spine. She leaned hard against the door and he caught the movement.
“Oh yes, there’s a game, little bird, and you’ll be an active player, but if you cross me, I’ll kill you.” His eyes found hers for a second.