Meant for You (The Connor Family 3)

“Will....” I didn’t know what to say, but he must have heard the emotion in my voice, because he wrapped his arms around me from behind, tugging at my earlobe.

“It’s our anniversary week, babe.”

The food was delicious, the company even better. How life could be this good, I didn’t know. I’d always liked my life, but this... this was different. It was like I hadn’t known a part of me was missing until Will had come into my life.

After dinner we headed out to the parking lot behind the restaurant. When we reached the car, I realized I’d forgotten my scarf inside.

“I’ll get it,” Will said. “Go inside the car so you warm up.”

He gave me the key, and he went back inside while I unlocked the car. I only had a light jacket on, but my parka was in the trunk, so I retrieved it to keep warm until the car’s heating system kicked into gear.

I’d barely opened the trunk when I sensed something. Someone was behind me. My first thought was Will, but then I realized he couldn’t be back so fast. I stiffened even before I heard the voice.

“Give me all your money and I won’t harm you.” It was a man’s voice. I broke out into clammy, cold sweat. I didn’t have a pepper spray on me, or money. But I didn’t think that would go over too well. “Hand it over.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

“Look into my purse. I don’t have a wallet. Just my smartphone.”

With trembling hands, I opened the bag. A hand snatched into it, grabbing my phone.

“In the car, then. There has to be money.”

Could I cry for help? I figured I’d take a blow to the back of my head before that. Fighting back would only infuriate him.

“Let me look in the front. Maybe there’s money there,” I said quietly. And then I felt something sharp pinching my back.

“I have a knife. Don’t do anything stupid.”

Fear and adrenaline spiked my blood, the first overpowering the second. On shaky legs, I moved to the front of the car, my attacker right behind me.

I searched the front, but Will didn’t keep money there.

“No money,” I said.

“I’ll have that pretty bracelet.”

Hell no. Blood was rushing in my ears, adrenaline overpowering fear for a split second. Straightening up, I elbowed the attacker. He yelped, and I heard the sound of metal on the ground. I swirled around.

“You bitch.”

I kicked and pummeled my fists into every bit of flesh I could find, but the man was tall and strong, and the only advantage I’d had was the moment of surprise. Now he was recovering from it and didn’t like one bit that I wasn’t as meek and scared as I’d appeared.

“Paige!”

Will’s voice sounded through the parking lot. The thief whirled around, grabbed his knife, and braced for Will.

“He has a knife,” I shouted, but then Will was on the attacker. I barely saw him move. One punch to the jaw, another to the chest, and the attacker doubled over.

My eyes were on the blade, which was still in the attacker’s hand. He was swinging it blindly. My stomach constricted when he jabbed his hand straight toward Will’s abdomen. Will caught his wrist in midair, then twisted the guy’s arm and immobilized him.

“Paige, are you okay?” Will asked. He was shaking.

“Yes, you?”

He nodded. The next few minutes were a blur. Will only released the guy when the local authorities arrived and took over.