One More Time (Red Hook 1)

They went two more blocks at a fast speed when the SUV rammed them again, much harder this time.

Alana gasped loudly, saved by the seat belt from hitting the dashboard. Ray swerved and ended up hitting a light pole. His head hit the steering wheel. Alana let out a loud scream, undoing her belt.

“Ray!” she yelled, scooting close to him. She saw blood on his forehead, and his eyes were closed. He wasn’t moving.

The horn was going off, and it was loud. There were plenty of houses around. Surely someone would call 911.

“Oh God, no,” she cried. She looked around for Ray’s cell phone. She found it on the floor of the truck. She bent down to reach for it when her door opened. Alana turned to see a wild-looking Cora holding a gun. She was wearing all black clothes. Her blonde hair stood out.

“You ruined everything, you bitch.” Cora grabbed Alana’s arm and dragged her out of the truck. Her huge nails were digging into Alana’s skin, and it stung. “Noah was mine until you came along.”

Alana struggled to get loose. She could hear the sirens in the distance. Close but not close enough.

“Cora,” she said calmly, “Noah is on his way. If you truly love him, you will stop this right now. No lawyer will be able to get you out of this.”

Cora laughed. It wasn’t a pleasant laugh but an evil laugh that scared Alana. The woman was truly mental.

“I am going to kill you. Then he will love me again.” She sounded so confident in what she was saying. She really believed she could get Noah back. Alana wanted to yell out that Noah never loved her, but that was too dangerous.

Alana closed her eyes and tried to think of a way out of this, but her mind was blank, and she was terrified Noah would get here too late.

Please hurry, Noah. We have fifty years to explore our love still.

Chapter 21

Noah arrived on the scene with Drake right behind him. His heart started pounding out of control when he saw Ray’s truck smashed against a pole. He left his sirens on and jumped out of the car.

He ran to the truck. Halfway there he saw Cora holding Alana by the arm. She had a gun in her hand, and it was pointed toward Alana.

Cora gave him a happy smile, then smirked down at Alana. “See, I told you he would come.” Cora looked at Noah. Her smile was so peaceful, as if they were passing on a sidewalk and greeting each other. “I am going to get rid of her so we can be happy again, Noah. She interferes too much.”

Noah was terrified, but he didn’t let it show. He knew Drake had called in the medical services for Ray. He had to deal with Cora calmly. Alana was pale but didn’t seem hurt. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she looked at him as if pleading with him to save her.

“Cora. Let’s go talk about this in my office, okay?” he said calmly, walking slowly so he wouldn’t startle her. He showed her his hands so she would know they were empty. “It’s dark and a little chilly out here.”

Cora beamed at him and nodded. “Let me take care of this bitch first. If Jeremy had done his job right, I wouldn’t have to tie up his loose ends. He is such a screw up. I hope he rots in jail.”

“Just leave her here with her brother,” Noah said in a monotone voice. He was doing his best not to sound anxious or nervous about the gun pointed at the woman he loved. “We can ride in my car.”

Cora’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Is this a trick, Noah? I am tired of playing these games with you. I know you love me. I can feel it when you touch me. No one has come close to you. Why did you have to let her ruin our relationship?”

Noah tried to stay calm and not yell at Cora. Obviously she was fruitier than a fruitcake, but it was hard to stay calm when her hand shook every time she spoke. He wanted Alana away from Cora and any

bullets. Alana stood still as if afraid to move or even speak.

“Don’t come too close yet, Noah.” Cora told him, scooting back and taking Alana with her.

He hoped to hell Tony Smith was up in the tree like he said he would be. He was an excellent sniper. Sam and Matt were making sure people stayed inside their homes.

“Come on, Cora. We can’t stand out here all night long.” He put his hands out toward her. “The EMTs are coming to take away Ray Garcia. Let’s leave before they get here.”

Cora nodded and lowered the gun. Noah was too afraid to let his guard down yet. Until he had Cora secured in handcuffs, he would not relax. He could strangle Cora with his bare hands for pulling this stunt. She had better get psychiatric help.

A car, squealing its tires, pulled up behind him. Noah turned his head to look with a deep frown. He knew Drake had pulled Ray out of the truck and out of the line of danger.

Mr. Stanton came out of his fancy car, and Noah groaned silently. He had Cora where he wanted her. Mr. Stanton was going to ruin everything.

“Cora! What in God’s name is the meaning of this?” he yelled, not caring that his daughter had a gun in her hand. “People in town are talking about you as it is. Have you no shame?”