CHAPTER TWO
Loud music thrummed through the bar as Sonia Carmichael delivered drinks to a table and endured the hot male stares of her customers, wondering if one, or all of them, could be responsible for the disappearance of so many women. She wished her dreams had given her faces to go with the men in fatigues kidnapping women. The thought made her all the more thankful that the cowboy boots she wore allowed her a place to hide her gun. It wasn’t like the tiny blue-jean shorts and half shirt would hold much. She was even more thankful that she’d come inches from a career in law enforcement, before becoming a research assistant, and knew how to use it. When you had nightmares like hers, a gun felt necessary, and since she’d stopped suppressing the dreams, now that she owned them, she regretted not following in her father’s FBI footsteps. He wouldn’t have let fear stop him any more than Kel had, and neither of them would have let her be afraid. But they weren’t alive, and she had to do this. They both died protecting innocent lives and she wouldn’t dishonor them by not doing so herself.
Sonia followed a pretty blonde named Carrie toward the bar. She was a college student working for her living, and the star of one of the nightmares she could never escape. For a week now, Sonia had kept Carrie close, befriended her, trying to protect her. She didn’t know how quickly the dream would come true, only that it would and she couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Her dreams, her nightmares, always came true.
“I’m off in ten,” Carrie said. “You in for the night?”
“You’re off early tonight? I thought you always worked late on Fridays?”
“I do but tomorrow’s my birthday and my boyfriend is taking me out for the day.” Her eyes lit up. “I think he’s going to propose.”
“Oh my gosh!” Sonia exclaimed and hugged Carrie. “That’s fabulous.” But her stomach knotted at the prospect of Carrie never seeing that happen. She wasn’t going to let that happen. Even if she had to guard her every step of the way. “I’m off early tonight, too. Why don’t we go for cake somewhere?”
“I’d love that,” Carrie said. “I’m parked at the side of the building in the employee lot. You?”
“Same,” Sonia said, “See you there.”
Carrie grabbed two drinks the bartender had set on the counter and took off. Sonia went in search of the manager to claim an emergency and to try to keep this job, in case she needed it. She inhaled. Actually, maybe she needed to somehow make Carrie lose her job. It was a horrible thing to do but Sonia’s dream had directly linked Carrie’s kidnapping to this place. It was something to consider after tonight. Tonight she just needed to get Carrie home safely.
Just past midnight, Sonia and Carrie exited the side door of the building, both having donned sweatshirts. Overhead lights cast a soft glow on the desolate parking lot. Everyone else was inside, working or having fun. Sonia’s oversized purse hung on her shoulder, her hand stuffed inside, wrapped around the gun she’d relocated for easier access.
“How about Joe’s bakery?” Carrie asked. “It’s a five-minute drive and they’re open until two.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Sonia said. Anything to get Carrie in her car and away from here.
They both headed to their vehicles when the wind suddenly picked up. Sonia had no idea what made her react except instinct. She grabbed Carrie and pulled her close, at the same time pulling out her gun. Suddenly, out of nowhere, three men in black fatigues appeared in front of them. It was as if they had come from the air or wind. Carrie screeched and clung to Sonia.
One of the men grabbed Carrie’s arm. Sonia fired the gun, hoping it would not only wound their attackers, but get them attention and help. The man let go of Carrie, looking more shocked than injured, which meant he had to be wearing a vest. The other two men laughed which Sonia was pretty sure meant they were in trouble. With no other options, Sonia continued to pull the trigger, knowing enough about vests to know the bullets still hurt.
The wind lifted again. Two more men appeared, on Sonia’s left and right, and she had a dim awareness of them wearing jeans, not fatigues like the others, like the men in her nightmares.
The three men in fatigues turned to the newcomers in obvious confrontation, and Sonia leaned into Carrie, and whispered, “Run!” Together they and rushed for the door. Sonia could hear a battle starting behind them – grunts and growls.
Sonia and Carrie were all but at the door to the club when a man appeared out of nowhere. They turned to the run the other way and another man appeared from nowhere. Just materialized as if by magic. Only, Sonia gasped at the familiar face.
“Damion?” She stared in shock at an old army buddy of Kel’s.
“Yes,” he said. “And do what I say and everything is going to be okay.” He reached for Carrie.
“Sonia?” Carrie asked, but Sonia never got to answer. Damion shoved a needle in Carrie’s arm and she passed out.
Sonia didn’t have time to react to Damion’s unexpected action. She had a sudden awareness of someone at her back and whirled around to land against a hard body. She was instantly certain she was dreaming. The scent of him, and the feel of him, sent a rush of memories through her. It couldn’t be who she thought it was. The world started to spin as her chin lifted and she brought the man into view.
“Kel?” she gasped, a moment before he stuck a needle into her arm and everything went black.