Love Inspired Suspense August 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

TEN

Laney’s heart launched into her throat as she stared at the open space where safe, locked glass should have been. Something thumped nearby—much too close—and she spun around with the poker in hand, opening her mouth to scream.

But the sound was muffled as a dark mass pressed into her face, soft and smothering like a heavy sweatshirt, shoving her sideways and backward against the glass door. Her assailant yanked the poker out of her hand and dropped it onto the floor with a loud clatter.

Lord, please let that be enough to wake Jim!

She flung both hands up to claw at the sweatshirt, struggling to free her face and suck in a breath of air. The fabric rammed into her nose and mouth, making it hard to breathe.

Her assailant was bigger and stronger, and even though she kicked and scratched, he easily threw an arm around her neck and dragged her toward the open door. If he got her out of the house... Ryan and Jim would have no idea where to look for her.

Flailing for the door, she clamped her fingers to the metal edge of the slider and managed to hook one foot around the inside.

The man grunted and strained against her as he half shoved, half pulled her out of the house. She twisted in his grasp, struggling with every ounce of energy, until her other foot connected with part of his leg.

He groaned, his grip loosening just slightly, and Laney kicked again. Somewhere close by, a car engine roared onto the street, the sound just audible above the man’s grunts and Laney’s frantic thumping. His arm tightened around her neck, squeezing shut her airway. Panic flared beneath her ribs, and out of sheer instinct, she dug her nails viciously through his shirtsleeve into his skin.

More thumping sounds came from inside the house now, and she was sure she heard a door slam.

Out here! Her brain tried to scream the words as stars flared in her vision. Please, Lord, let them find me.

She lost her grasp on the sliding door and the man yanked her out onto the deck. The sweatshirt still covered her head, but the feel of the air shifted. Somewhere beyond their struggle, a few stubborn cicadas made their last evening calls. Her assailant relaxed his arm enough to let her draw in a precious gasp of air as he dragged her toward the steps that would lead down into the yard.

“Stop!” Ryan’s voice broke the silence of the night, sending a wave of relief crashing through Laney’s tense body.

For a split second, her assailant tightened his grip as if he were going to attempt to flee with her. She twisted beneath his arm, digging into his skin again, until he abruptly yanked the sweatshirt away from her face and let her go. The sudden release made her lose her balance, and she crashed down onto the wooden deck, the edges of the boards biting into her palms.

The man thundered down the steps and out into the yard.

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