“What’s going on?” The stranger asked as he ran up and stopped beside me. I turned to look at him for a second, and when I turned back to The Shadow he was running away from us. Everyone remained perfectly still as we all watched him disappear around the corner of the building.
“Oh thank God!” Keira gasped once he was out of sight, then she turned to me and pulled me into her arms.
“Are you both alright? Was he trying to hurt you?” The guy asked as he looked us over, confused. I turned away from him and buried my face in Keira’s shoulder as tears ran free.
“It’s ok Honey. I’ve got you.” She whispered as she held me tight. Her entire body was shaking just like mine and she was breathing almost as fast as I was. I realised she’d been as scared as I was.
“Are you hurt? I called 911. Police are on their way. Do you need an ambulance?”
“We’re ok. Thank you so much for helping us.” Keira replied, her voice trembling.
“No problem. I’m going to stay with you until the cops arrive, ok?”
“I’d appreciate that.” Keira agreed.
“Evie.” I whispered, knowing she must be terrified by what she had witnessed.
“She’s ok Olivia. I can see her, and she’s safer locked in there until the police arrive.” Keira soothed.
I jumped in her arms a few minutes later, when a car screeched to a halt close to us, but Keira just held me tighter.
“It’s ok. It’s Kade. He’s here now.” She assured me.
“Mom? What happened? Are you all ok?” Kade yelled as he approached us. I had never been so happy to hear anything in my life, as I was to hear him close.
“It was him, son. The kidnapper from that picture. He tried to take Olivia.” Keira cried. “He ran off a couple of minutes ago, that way.” She released me, to point behind us, then resumed our hug.
I heard Kade shouting orders for men to follow in the direction The Shadow ran in, then he said something into his radio. Feeling stronger I pulled away from Keira and rounded the car, knowing we needed to get to Evie. I could hear her yelling from inside the car, and when I looked in at her, her face was soaked with tears and she looked distraught.
I was shocked to find we were surrounded by not just Kade’s SUV, but three patrol cars and a half dozen uniformed officers.
“Where are you going, Honey?” Keira asked as I stumbled away from her. My head was pounding and I was so dizzy. I couldn’t move in a straight line and it was a fight just to stay upright.
“Evie.” I gasped. “I…..the keys They’re under the car.”
“I’ll get them. You’re in no state to be crawling around on the ground.” Keira sighed as she followed me. “I’m ok.” I whispered as I dropped to my knees.
“Livy? Are you ok Love? Are you injured?” Kade asked as he suddenly appeared and knelt beside me.
“I….I’m ok.” I repeated. I was pretty sure I was in shock, and maybe a little concussed.
“She’s hurt Kade. Take care of her and I’ll get Evie.” Keira directed, and before I knew it I was in Kade’s arms and being carried toward an ambulance.
“I’m really ok.” I protested.
“Then it won’t take the EMT’s long to check you over, will it?” Kade replied firmly, and I knew it was no use arguing.
I sat on the back step of the ambulance as an EMT prodded at what I knew would turn into a huge bruise on the right side of my cheek, and checked me for a concussion.
“Can you tell me what happened, Love?” Kade asked as he stood over me protectively. All I wanted was to go home and curl up with my guys, forgetting the whole thing, but I knew this was the best chance Kade and his team had to catch The Shadow and get to Hailey. I took a couple of deep breaths to strengthen myself, then nodded.
“The Shadow…..he…..he was just there, watching me. I was scared he’d take Evie, so I locked her in the car with my cell, and threw the keys underneath.” I was talking way too fast and had to stop to catch my gasping breath. Kade crouched down before me and placed a hand on my shaking knee.
“It’s ok Love. You’re safe now. Just take your time.” He soothed.
“I know. It was just….seeing him again. He was just…..just there. I froze Kade, completely froze. He grabbed my arm, but I made myself move then....I used Kyle’s move and slipped the hold.” Even in the chaos I was proud I had used the moves Kyle taught me. “He grabbed me again, but I fought….then Keira came, a-and hit him with her purse. He let me go and we moved away from him…..then that guy came and he….The Shadow....he ran away.” I told the whole thing flatly, like I was seeing it all on a screen, not like I had just lived through it. I just felt so detached from the whole thing, shocked it had even happened.
“You did really good, Love.” Kade told me as he very gently put a hand on my uninjured cheek and forced a smile through his worry and anger, in an attempt to calm me.
“Is Evie ok? She was so scared. I c-could hear her screaming.” I had a feeling Evie’s screams would be a new addition to my nightmares for a while to come.
“She’s ok. Mom has her now, and Dad’s on his way. The guys are all coming too.”
“Are they s-safe?” I cried as I tried to stand up and check for myself. Kade stopped me with the hand on my knee, holding me in place. “He could come back.”
“They’re safe. One of my team is with them and there are uniforms everywhere. He’s not getting near you or them again
