Chapter 27. Almost Kidnapped

Rae:

The sun is setting when we step out of the boutique, arms full of shopping bags and smiles finally back on our faces. Eliza's laughter lingers in the air, soft and genuine for the first time today.

“I told you pink looks good on you,” I say, bumping my shoulder into hers.

“And I told you we’re not buying another pair of heels. We’ll both end up with broken ankles,” she teases back.

We're making our way toward the parking lot when I catch it—just a shadow, but it moves where shadows shouldn’t. I glance back.

A man. Dressed in black. Masked.

My stomach twists.

“Eliza,” I murmur, nudging her.

She follows my gaze.

He steps closer.

That’s when it happens—fast and brutal. The masked man lunges. I don’t even get the chance to scream before I’m yanked backwards, his arm locked around my waist like iron. My shopping bags drop with a harsh rustle. My heels scrape the pavement. I kick, thrash, but it’s no use.

“RAE!” Eliza