Free Dance Away, Danger by Alexa Bourne Page B

you move.”
    She wasn’t stupid. She gripped his forearm but whether to push him away or to hold him close, she couldn’t be sure. His strength comforted her. A little.
    “You know me.” Dave pressed his palm against his chest. “I’ve watched out for your brother, for you. I need you to trust me.”
    “You lost that privilege the minute you turned against Jason. I’m placing my trust in Matt.” For the moment, at least. Surrendering complete trust always ended badly.
    His gaze narrowed. “Now.” Something dark and sinister filtered through him and forced a shudder down her spine.
    “She’s not going anywhere.” Matt stepped in front of her, his broad shoulders shielding her. “Why don’t you save us the trouble and turn yourself in?”
    Tessa peered around him. Dave gripped his weapon. Anger laced the features of her one-time friend.
    How could she have been so wrong about him?
    “You’re the one behind Jason’s disappearance, and we know you sent those other cops to get Tessa at my house. You’re not taking her.”
    To her right, Tessa saw Alice start toward them with a coffee cup.
    No. She couldn’t come in there.
    But she sauntered across the lobby floor while she blew over the top of her drink.
    Dave’s voice held a smile. “Pretty tough talk for a wanted felon.”
    Alice stopped in front of the first office. “What?”
    Dave slipped right into honorable cop mode. “Ma’am, don’t move. This man is a wanted criminal. We believe he’s involved with Officer Gage’s disappearance. I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to scare you.”
    Tessa’s feet itched to move. She wanted to protect her innocent co-worker, even if the woman was annoying. “Alice, don’t listen to him. Get out of the building.”
    Dave continued, “He kidnapped Tessa and brainwashed her into believing he’s one of the good guys.”
    “Really?” Alice stared at Matt.
    “No, Alice. Dave’s a dirty cop.”
    “You can say whatever you want, Walgren, but we’ve still got the evidence putting the blame on you,” Matt said.
    “Evidence?” Alice’s brows drew together.
    “And you threatening us proves you’re the guilty one.” He crowded Tessa backward.
    What was he doing? Her palms settled on his shoulder blades, drew strength from the muscles. She inched farther into the office because she had no choice.
    “I’m the one with the badge. They’ll believe me.”
    “Oh my God! Are they right? Are you guilty?” The coffee mug crashed onto the tiles. Liquid splattered across the floor.
    Alice stared at him with her eyes wide, mumbling an incoherent plea. She took a step toward the lobby.
    Dave aimed his weapon at Alice.
    “No, don’t!” Tessa screamed.
    Matt reached behind him and pulled the gun from his waistband.
    Dave squeezed the trigger.

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
    Crack. Tessa flinched and screamed.
    Alice landed flat on her stomach. Branches of red spread out from the center of her white T-shirt.
    Matt shoved Tessa to the floor in the office. Glass shattered. Shards rained down on her and scattered across the floor.
    She tossed her arms over her head.
    Matt covered her with his own body.
    His weight crushed the breath from her, but she was protected. More screams tore from her lips.
    He pulled away.
    She clutched his arm. “No, don’t!”
    He yanked free and peered around the outer office wall. More gunfire.
    Tessa crawled to get a better view. “We have to help her.”
    Alice’s blood drained into tiny rivers of red liquid across the floor. She no longer moved.
    “We’ll be too late.” Tessa started forward.
    Matt jerked her back. “No!”
    “But—”
    “She’s dead. We can’t help her.”
    Tessa’s breaths came short. Stilted. She trembled. Right. Alice dead. Their survival was crucial.
    Another round of gunfire.
    Her blood ran cold.
    Matt crouched beside her and whispered in her ear. “When I say go, run for the front door.”
    “But it’s locked.”
    “Rylan, are you