When the doors opened to the executive floor, there was no sign of Erica anywhere.
Dylan went to her desk and saw a strange code on her screen. Then something he recognized from the day she’d been kidnapped by the Russians filled the screen. Gen1us$KL$w1ns. His heart seized.
“This is Lunceford’s code.”
“Where could she be?” Cam asked frantically.
“I’m about to find out.” Dylan headed to the elevator. When they got inside, he put his password in the keypad. He punched in Erica’s employee number, which he’d memorized long ago.
“Erica Coleman left the building from exit three five seconds ago,” a digitized voice informed,
“She’s in the parking lot,” Dylan told him, punching the first floor button on the elevator.
* * * *
8:11 a.m., Friday – TBK’s parking lot, Destiny, Colorado
Erica looked around the lot but didn’t see Cam. There were only cars and a couple of men smoking to her left.
She reached in her purse to get her cell and saw the pistol that Dylan had bought her.
The hairs on the back of her neck popped up.
The men smoking…I’ve seen them before.
Where?
The sheriff’s office.
They were Mitrofanov’s men.
Her heart began thudding like a jackhammer in her chest.
Inside the building was safety. She wouldn’t be alone there. Don’t panic. There could’ve been a million other reasons the two tatted thugs were here other than to take her and put her in a trunk—or worse.
She kept her hand in the purse, but instead of grabbing her cell she clutched her gun. Risking a glance at the two men, she saw one of them was pointing a gun at her. Instantly, her self-defense training kicked in.
Simultaneously, she fired her weapon at the man with the pistol and crouched to the ground behind a car.
Had she hit him? She wasn’t sure, but she heard footsteps headed her way and she began crawling the opposite direction.
She thought about screaming for help, but didn’t, worrying it might tip the men off on where she was located before anyone could come to her aid. She remained silent through all the violent shakes.
Between two cars, she leaned her back against a tire of one of them and said a silent prayer. God, don’t let me die. Please. Images of Dylan and Cam came into her mind. With every panicky breath, she wished they were here with her. As much as I need them, I must focus. I can’t be shaking like this.
Keeping her finger on the trigger of her gun ready in case either of the men found her, Erica heard another shot. I know they’re trying to kill me. She plastered her body against the car and clenched her jaw. I don’t want to die. Not today. Not without seeing Dylan and Cam.
“Erica?” Dylan’s voice.
Had she heard right?
“Sweetheart?” Cam’s voice.
It has to be them. She heard footsteps coming her way. Her body tensed, still unsure. God, please let it be them.
Dylan’s tone was anxious. “It’s all clear, baby. Where are you?”
It is them. She jumped up and saw her men just a few spaces away. “Over here. I’m over here.” She ran into their arms, as tears of relief flooded down her cheeks. “I thought I’d never see you again. I love you.”