Run For Your Life (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty

I stood there, staring across the street. "Connor..." Riley said walking over. "Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost." I slowly took the phone down from my ear and handed it back to Riley. "Connor..." Riley said, concern evident in his voice. "You're starting to scare me. Who did you call? What happened?" "I... I called Nicole and now her dad wants to kill me and I... I think..." I stopped. "You think what?" Abbie asked. I shook my head. "Nothing." I said, shaking the thought from my head. "Wait did you just say you called Nicole?" Riley asked. I nodded. "Why the hell would you do that?" Abbie cried. "I have a plan." I said. "Which is?" Abbie asked. I took a deep breath. "Her dad is going to come after me and I'm going to get her back."

Riley smacked his face with his hand. "Connor!" He cried. "What?" I asked. Riley shook his head and sighed. "You're putting yourself in danger by doing this! You're putting Abbie and me in danger by doing this! Nicole is probably in more danger now because of you doing this!" Riley cried. "No," I said. "He wants to kill me, not her." "You don't think he'll kill her too?" Abbie asked. I shook my head. "I think," I began. "I think that he's a very sadistic person and he'll bring her with him. He'll make sure she's here when he tries to kill me because he knows that I'm the only person she loves. I think he'll make her watch." Abbie and Riley stared at me, their eyes wide and mouths agape. "Come on!" I cried. "You can't disagree!"

Riley sighed. "Well, if you really think this is a good plan then I'm behind you 100%." "I guess I'm in too, Nicole's my best friend." Abbie said. "Actually, I do need you guys to do me a favor." I said. The two of them looked at me. "Move your cars. Get them to the corner of the parking lot so they're close, but he doesn't know you're here. Go wait in one of these little stores and have your phones so I can call if I need to." "I thought your phone was dead." Abbie said. "I lied so Riley would give me his because I knew Nicole wouldn't answer if I called." Riley rolled his eyes. "Idiot." He mumbled. I ignored his comment and checked my phone for the time. "I called around ten minutes ago, so they should be here shortly. I'm ready to get my girlfriend back."

"Be careful, Connor." Riley told me. I nodded and Abbie glanced at me. "You can do it. I know you can." She said. I smiled and the two of them walked away. They got in their cars and drove them to the other side of the parking lot. They got out and walked inside a small knick-knack store. I took a deep breath before turning around and running inside. A bell went off as I opened the door and the girl at the counter smiled in my direction. I walked around the store, hoping to make it look like I wanted to find new clothes. I saw a black BMW speed into the parking lot. I held my breath as the driver got out. It was a young, skinny blonde woman. I sighed and went back to browsing the isles.

Minutes passed and the store filled with people. Everyone ran around and shoved past each other as they attempted to find the best bargain. I walked around, trying to stay out of everyone's way. I looked out the large window as a black car drove into the parking lot and jerked to a stop. I watched and saw Nicole's dad gets out of the driver's seat. A lady, the one the woman at the diner had described, got out of the passenger side. I took out my phone and quickly texted Riley.

They just got here. Stay hidden!

I continued walking around the store, glancing at the window every now and then. I had to stay out of sight, but make sure I could still see him. I watched as he walked over to the SUV and looked inside. He screamed at the woman when he noticed I wasn't inside. He motioned to something in his hand, probably the tracker and started walking back to the car. The woman grabbed his arm and he stopped and looked at her. She said something to him and pointed at the stores lined across the entire parking lot. Nicole's dad nodded, but walked back to the car anyways. He opened his door and pulled something out and stuck it in his jacket. He looked up and I quickly looked away, my heart pounding in my chest.