Page 105 of Last Chance Christmas

“At the vet.” Cole’s nostrils flared. “Victoria poisoned him.”

“Is he?—”

“He’s fine.” They spoke at the same time.

“Poor guy.” Kianna frowned, then glanced out the window again, where Mackey and Victoria continued their fight. “She showed up on my doorstep. Said Mackey hurt you.”

“She attacked me. Not Mackey.” Cole grunted. “She was hiding in my car. I tried to thwart her plan, but when I went to snatch the gun out of her grip, she slammed the base into my head, and I blacked out. I don’t know how she knew where you live though.”

“She’s one of my neighbors.”

“Isn’t that convenient.” He shook his head. “Well, she messed with the wrong people.”

Kianna bit back a grin.

Cole’s hands were clenched in front of him. He was ready to fight.

Courage worked its way through her veins. With him by her side, she could face Mackey and Victoria head-on.

“Does the police force know Victoria is behind it?” Kianna mirrored Cole’s stance and raised her head, back straight.

“We’re on our own at the moment. But my boss knew I was coming back to the station. So when I don’t show up or radio in, he’ll have all hands on deck.”

Cole lifted his hands. “Let me see your wrists.”

Kianna held out her arms. The thick twine was wrapped around several times. He used the tips of his forefinger and thumb to work at the knot securing the bonds, but it didn’t loosen.

“If I create a distraction, can you run and go get help?”

Kianna swallowed. “I can’t leave you to fend them off yourself.”

“I can’t let you die here either. We’re the ones standing between Mackey and his freedom. And Victoria isn’t going to let us stop him.” Cole wiggled on the car door. “It’s locked.”

Kianna tried her side but couldn’t get it open. “They probably have the childproof setting on.” Thanks to the fancy new technology, there wasn’t even a lock switch to lift up, since it was computer programmed.

Cole unbuckled his seatbelt, then climbed into the front seat. “If the keys are in here, I can drive us to the station.”

Kianna pulled back the leather pockets in front of her on the back of the passenger and driver seats. “Nothing back here.”

Cole opened the glove box. “Don’t see anything either.”

Victoria wasn’t making it easy for them.

“Plan B. Cut these ropes.”

“There’s scissors in my first aid kit.” Kianna leaned forward just as Cole turned around with the bag. Their noses almost collided, and Kianna sucked in a breath. Cole’s proximity and his evergreen cologne threatened to unravel her. From this angle, his brown eyes searched hers, beckoning her to find safety here with him.

Cole opened his mouth, then cleared his throat. “Whatever you do, don’t look out your side of the window.”

Kianna swallowed, then leaned back, the moment lost. Cole had the right mindset. They were trapped in a car, a murderer and his accomplice outside. She turned to her left, where Victoria and Mackey stood. If they took note of the movement in the car and realized their victims were awake, who knew how they’d respond?

Cole slid back into the seat next to her and unzipped the first aid bag.

“Give me your hands.” Cole held the scissors.

She followed his second order but did exactly what he said not to do for his first. She peered over her shoulder and out the closest right window. The car was parked up against the edge of a drop-off. The snow-covered area did nothing to hide the steepness of the descent. Boulders and trees littered the steep drop. One slip and they’d be dead before they knew what they’d hit.

Kianna whipped her head around and jerked her hands. “There’s no way out.”