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Allye stared at the weaponin Wesley’s hand. What was going on? She finally found her voice. “What are you doing?”

“What I have to.” He didn’t look as confident as he sounded, but the gun aiming her direction held steady. He released her hand. “Let’s go.”

She hesitated a moment longer. Would Eric realize what was happening? Could he get here in time? And would it do any good? She was sure they were both armed. It would be two to one.

Wesley waved the gun. “I said let’s go.”

Her attacker spoke up from the back seat. “Get going or I might have to start shooting. I can start with that family over there.”

She looked at the couple who’d just exited their car with two little kids. Her attacker might be bluffing, but she couldn’t risk it. She put the car in drive and prayed for help as she pulled from her parking spot.

As she turned onto the main road, pieces started falling into place. Wesley worked with Mayor Jennings. Mayor Jennings was involved somehow. And for some reason, they’d decided to eliminate her as a threat.

She was dead if she didn’t come up with a way out of this. Could she wreck the car and run? She glanced at Wesley’s gun. Itwas pointed directly at her side, and his finger rested on the trigger. If they wrecked, she’d almost definitely get shot. Even if she didn’t, the only way she could outrun the men was if the collision knocked them both out. She had no way of guaranteeing that.

“Watch the road.”

Allye tore her gaze from the weapon and yanked the car back into her lane. She tried to keep her voice calm. “What’s going on?”

No one answered her.

“Does Hailey know about this?” She couldn’t believe her cousin would be part of anything illegal. Much less part of a plot to hurt her.

“No. She doesn’t know anything.”

“What’s she going to think once this all comes out? Because it will eventually.”

Wesley didn’t answer. He glanced in the mirror, and she followed his gaze. The man in the back seemed to be enjoying the show.

She couldn’t do anything about that right now, but if she could get Wesley distracted, maybe she’d have a chance to try something.

“Hailey thinks you’re her hero.”

He refused to look at her.

“And what about Jenna? You really want her growing up knowing her dad is a killer?”

“Shut up.”

“That’s what you’ll be if you pull the trigger.”

“Do what I say, and I won’t have to pull it.”

“Then what do you plan to do with me once we get wherever we’re going?” Because he sure wasn’t planning to let her go.

“Idon’t plan to do anything with you.”

“Who will then? Him?” She tilted her head to indicate the man in the back.

Wesley’s lips compressed into a tight line.

“Why, Wes?”

He blew out a breath. “You’re starting to get on my nerves. Just drive.”

“This may be the last time I get to talk to someone in my family.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He flinched slightly at the last word. Maybe she could get through to him. “I still don’t understand why you’re involved with any of this. You’re a great guy. You didn’t kill that man behind my studio. Why are you risking everything to silence me?”

“Take a right here.”