The Edge of Dawn Read Free Page A

only uncertainty, fear, and the mysterious insane man behind the wheel.
    A little over an hour later, they rolled past the city of East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, her alma mater. Memories of the good times she’d had on campus faded under the reality of her present situation. She hadn’t lived in Michigan in over a decade but knew that Grand Rapids was a mere sixty miles west. She had to find a way to escape before then.
    â€œHungry?” he asked.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI am. Time for breakfast.” He exited the highway and pulled into the nearly empty lot of a fast-food joint. The sky was now pink, signaling the beginning of a new day.
    When Narice spotted the police car parked near theentrance of the restaurant, she felt hope rise again. Keeping her voice neutral, she stated, “I need to use the bathroom.”
    â€œAll right, but no funny business.”
    She didn’t make any promises.
    They got out of the car, and when he escorted her inside, she got her first good look at him. He had on a long black canvas coat that fit him like an Old West duster. The heavy fabric was faded and frayed from wear. Under the coat, he wore black jeans, a black turtleneck, and dirty scuffed army boots. His skin tone was light, almost gold, but the color of his eyes were hidden behind the shades. Had Narice met him at a club or the bank she would have to say he was handsome in an unshaven, dangerous-looking sort of way. In fact, all he needed was a six-shooter and a wide brimmed hat and he could’ve auditioned for the male lead in a Hollywood western, but in reality, he was her kidnapper, and there was nothing handsome or cute about that.
    The door to the ladies room was a few steps down the hall from the entrance. He walked her there and warned softly, “I’ll be waiting here. In fact, hand me your purse.”
    Narice cast a discreet glance over to the two policemen seated by the windows, having coffee. “Why?”
    â€œJust to make sure you don’t go out of a window. There isn’t a sister alive who’ll run off and leave her purse behind.”
    Narice saw no problem with making him think she’dgiven up on escaping. “Well, there’s stuff in there that I need, so how about I let you keep my wallet. I’m not going to run off without my ID or my credit cards.”
    â€œI’ll take the cell phone, too.”
    She slapped the items into his outstretched palm and walked away.
    Inside the restroom, Narice surveyed herself in the mirror. She’d lost a button off the coat of her suit and her hair was a mess. There was a hole in her stockings as big as her fist, and her skirt was twisted and wrinkled. After righting herself as much as she could, and cursing the man responsible, she tried to come up with a plan that would get the attention of the officers at the table. She decided on a direct approach.
    When she came out of the restroom, the man she knew as Saint was standing by the door just as he’d promised. She assumed the bag in his hand held the food he’d ordered but she didn’t care. Stepping right past him, she quickly walked over to the seated officers. “Excuse me, but I need some assistance.”
    The cops, County Sheriffs, according to the patch on their brown and gold uniforms looked her over with her wrinkled suit and torn hose, and one of them asked, “What can we do for you?”
    â€œI’ve been kidnapped.”
    By then her captor was standing beside her and asking, “You’re not bothering these nice officers are you, angel?”
    Narice turned around. Angel?! Then she noticed that his shades were gone. His eyes were the most arrestinggreen she’d ever seen. The power in them was so unexpected, she lost sight of her role for a moment.
    He took advantage and stepped into the breach. “My apologies, officers. My wife does this a lot—”
    â€œI am not his wife,” Narice stated now