Free Riding Steele: Crossroads by Opal Carew Page B

ordeal.”
    She nodded. “That’s true, and I really appreciate your help.” She pulled the necklace from the inside pocket of her jacket and placed it on the table. “Here it is.”
    He unwrapped the bandana and peered at the necklace, then whistled.
    “Nice.” He glanced at the clock on the wall.
    She peered at it to. There was barely a half hour left on the deadline.
    “Okay. Let’s get this done right now,” he said.
    He laid his badge on the table and placed the necklace in a glittering band below it, then pulled a cell phone from his pocket and took a picture. He tapped on the screen, then she heard the telltale
whoosh
of the message being sent.
    “Good, now that’s taken care of. Feel better now?”
    “I don’t know. None of this seems real,” she said. “I swear he gave me the necklace. I can’t believe he reported it stolen.”
    “Well, it’s all water under the bridge now. You’re free to go.” He smiled. “Would I say that if I didn’t know the charges are dropped?”
    She drew in a deep breath and released it. Donovan had put her through hell, and all to have the last word in their relationship, to show her who was in control. Well, he’d gotten his petty revenge, and she was happy to wash her hands of him.
    “Thank you so much.” She offered her hand and he shook it.
    “My pleasure to help.” He stood up and she followed him back to the lobby. “Are you okay getting back to your friends?”
    “Yes, thank you. Someone is waiting for me in the coffee shop around the corner.
    He smiled. “Good. I’ll let Officer Grainger know that everything’s taken care of.”
    She stepped into the warm night air, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Surely Donovan was done with her now and she could return home and resume her normal life. She trotted down the stairs and turned left.
    Not that life could ever be totally normal again after these experiences. She was glad to put Donovan behind her, but what about Steele? He had become jealous and possessive this morning, and taken off. They clearly had some issues to work out.
    She turned the corner onto the quiet street, walking with a lilt to her steps, despite the concerns washing through her about Steele.
    Vaguely she was aware of the same black car parked along the road that she’d seen earlier. As she got close to it, anxious to get back to Rip and get on with finding Steele, she cautiously stayed a couple of yards from it. Suddenly, she noticed a quick movement in the shadows between the buildings and a big hand covered her mouth and pulled her against a strong body. She struggled for air with the big palm clamped tightly over her, partially covering her nose. She tried desperately to scream, but couldn’t. She was shoved forward and the back door of the vehicle opened, then she was forced inside. She was feeling weak from lack of air, and her heart pounded wildly with the adrenaline surging through her.
    The door slammed and the car lurched forward.
    *
    Steele paced back and forth at the isolated place they were to camp that night. He was still burning with guilt at having hit Wild Card. That should never have happened. Wild Card was a trusted friend. He was one of Steele’s crew.
    Fuck, he and Wild Card shared women all the time. It was just sex. It didn’t mean anything.
    Steele had crossed a line.
    Fuck, even if Wild Card and Laurie had had sex right there on the rock, he shouldn’t care.
    His fists clenched. But he fucking did!
    He still couldn’t get that soft, vulnerable look on Laurie’s face out of his mind. The way she’d gazed at Wild Card. The way she obviously trusted him. Had probably confided in him.
    They’d just seemed so … close. And it was tearing him up inside. Especially since he felt her holding back from him.
    Right now, though, with the crew over two hours later than he’d expected, he had other things to worry about. What had happened to them?
    He grabbed the blanket from the ground and