Finding Trust (Centre Games) Read Free Page B

to move quickly. Fortunately, that wasn’t a problem for him with his animal speed. When he’d realised what was going on, he’d immediately motioned to Jace to take a break. He had just about ripped the strap off his Fender in the hurry to get off the stage and find her before that guy did God knows what to her. He lost sight of her as he slipped off the side entrance to the stage and into the shadows of the temporary structure. Her fear was clear and allowed him to easily track the direction her captor was taking her. Adrenaline caused by fear let off a unique scent, which made tracing her simple.
    Brayden covered the ground as quickly as he dared. Having incredible animal speed was one thing. Not drawing unwanted attention was another. He skirted around the edge of the area that the portable lights were illuminating, using the dark to conceal his presence. His nose was telling him he was quickly gaining on them. He caught sight of them up ahead. The trio, as it had now become, was about to leave the beach and cross the esplanade, into one of the darker side streets, he guessed. Looked like they had picked up an additional hand.
    He saw Minky stumble and limp when she stepped onto the road. He noticed she was barefoot. He sensed and saw the pain shoot through her. She had obviously stepped onto something and cut her foot. The smell of her blood was now mingling with her fear. He needed to get her out of there and fast.
    As he expected, the two goons led her down a narrow street into the loading dock at the rear of a hotel. He was trailing about a hundred metres back. A white van was waiting there. He guessed that was their transport. Bray took a quick glance around to make sure nobody was paying him any obvious attention and then sprinted noiselessly behind them. He covered the distance in less than three seconds.
    ***
    Rihanna could feel herself becoming increasingly terrified. She thought she had a fair chance against one but two was much less of an option. All she could hope for at this stage was that by going along with their plans, an opportunity to get away might present itself. Why they had grabbed her hadn’t even entered her mind. Getting away was all she could think about.
    The guy on Minky’s left reached for the sliding door on the side of the van when a voice came out of the shadows.
    “Let her go and I’ll consider letting you live.”
    Excitement rained through her. It was music to her ears but at the same time left no doubt as to the menace and cold hard intent of its owner. The owner of the voice stepped forward from the shadows and Rihanna immediately recognised him as “her man.” Relief tentatively began to rise in her heart.
    The guy to Rihanna’s left turned and lunged for her man. Mr. Lead Guitar neatly swiveled and drove the man into the side of the van with a kick to the solar plexus like she’d never seen before. The guy must have travelled five metres before coming to rest, slumped in a heap on the ground. He wasn’t getting up anytime soon and the side panel on the van would need some serious time in the shop.
    The other guy had changed his stance; he closed his grip around her shoulders and slid her in front of him. The crook of his arm was now depressing her windpipe. Her breath was coming in short gasps and the knife was now pressing sharply just below her left breast.
    “Back off …or I’ll—” He never finished his sentence. Mr Lead Guitar was beside her, holding her close and supporting her weight. How could she have been at knifepoint one second and in the safety of his arms the next? Somehow he had closed the distance, disarmed and decommissioned her attacker. She didn’t even recall him moving; how did he do it? Had she blacked out from lack of oxygen?
    “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice softening in concern as he reached up to brush some loose hair from her face.
    “No, just very shaky and a bit sore,” Rihanna managed, the words catching in her bruised throat.