Free That Was Then (The Re-Do Series Book 1) by Nia Arthurs Page A

illuminates the dark area of the lot. The strange guy in the robes is splayed out on the ground in front of the chain link fence bordering Paparrazi’s .
    I feel so bad.
    I hope he’s not dead.
    To my surprise, Alistair kneels over the man’s body. He extracts a sharp knife. What the heck? I jump out of the vehicle and dash to his side.
    “What do you think you’re doing?”
    Is Alistair some kind of murderer?
    My date doesn’t even spare me a glance.
    “I have to extract the nightlock from his teeth while he’s still unconscious.”
    It’s like Alistair’s talking another language. I’m speechless. Really, truly speechless. There is nothing that I can say that will bring any kind of clarity to the craziness unfolding in front of me. Without so much as an explanation, Alistair withdraws the belt securing the man’s robes and ties it around his hands and feet.
    The man groans.
    He’s beginning to rouse.
    “Shoot! I didn’t call the police.” I slap my forehead for my stupidity and pull out my phone.
    “That’s great.”
    Alistair grabs the phone from me and hefts the guy in the robes in his arms. He strides toward the back of my Trooper and shoves the man roughly into vehicle. I finally understand what’s going on here.
    We’re taking a prisoner.
    I run toward Alistair.
    “Um, what exactly are you doing?”
    “Get in,” Alistair completely ignores my question. “There might be more around.”
    Okay, even though Alistair is obviously not who he appears to be, I rather trust the devil I know than the one I don’t. Still, I can’t help the doubts. What if Alistair’s some kind of serial killer or crazy maniac?
    I’m freaking out. All I wanted to do tonight was get to know a nice man. Maybe get a little smooch at the end of the night, but that was it!
    I did not expect to be an accomplice to a kidnapping.
    “This is the worst date I have ever been on,” I mumble.
    Alistair glances at me. He has the gall to smile. He’s smiling! I can’t believe it.
    “This isn’t funny.” I snap.
    His amused smirk is still there, but his voice is serious.
    “Trust me, I know.”
    “How exactly do you know?”
    He falls silent. I get the sense that Alistair can be as tightlipped as the guy who stole a cookie from the cookie jar. I’m not going to get anything out of him if I keep nagging, so I’ve got to change strategies.
    After a few minutes of driving, Alistair looks my way.
    “Where do you live?”
    Is he planning to just drop me off after all this craziness? And then what, stow the crazy man in my closet?
    “I’m not giving you that information.” I lift my chin stubbornly.
    It’s bad enough that he’s driving my car with a human strung up like a pig in the back. I don’t know who Alistair Howard is anymore. I don’t want him anywhere near my house.
    “I can just look it up, you know.” He informs me.
    “I’m a part of this craziness now. You might as well take me wherever you’re going.”
    Alistair slows the car down. “I don’t think so.”
    I’m about to answer, but the man in my trunk begins to moan. It’s a real pathetic sound. Guilt flares in my stomach. If he’s in pain, it’s probably from being hit with the force of my two ton Trooper.
    “ Oooh ,” his voice slices through the heavy tension of the cab.
    Alistair glares at me as if I’m somehow responsible for the guy returning to consciousness.
    “You have to go home. Now.”
    This authoritative act is getting real old.
    I fold my arms and stare straight forward. “No.”
    Alistair sounds less amused when he says, “you know I could just forcefully remove you from this car.”
    “But you won’t.” I stare into his eyes. “You’ll respect me and take me along.”
    “Or what?” 
    I take a deep breath. “Or I’m calling the police.”
    I don’t know why I’m being so stubborn about this. If Alistair plans to torture or kill this guy, I don’t want to be anywhere around in case I’m implicated. Or worse, in case