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This made her blood run cold even, without the outside temperature

“A,” Crank said “Isn’t that kind of her, Linds? Even after you tricked her for weeks, she still says it’s okay You knoe call that?”

When no one responded, he gripped the girl by the hair and yanked her head up She let out a yelp then fell silent again Toni began to lunge forward, but Shell grabbed her arm “Don’t be stupid,” she said in a harsh whisper

“I asked you a question,” Crank said, shaking Lindsey by her hair

“N-no,” she said, her voice cracking “I don’t know”

“We call that a sucker” He laughed as though he was the funniest person in the world Suddenly, Toni no longer registered the cold Instead, a hot rage fired through her system

“Okay, ladies Colanced at a thick black watch on his left wrist “We’re gonna be taking a trip in about ten minutes here”

What should they do? Follow his orders? It was a horrible idea Sa in a car with a madman She couldn’t run and leave Lindsey Maybe Shell could make it to the car on her own…

“Toni,” Shell whispered so low, Toni had to lean her head closer to her friend to hear

“What?”

“Any chance you thought to let Zach knohere ere going?”

“No You?”

Shell shook her head Any hope she’d had fled

“I said co theun and waved it in their general direction

There went any hope of escape No chance of Shell getting away now Not with a weapon in the mix

Toni aze and saw the same hopelessness she felt They were in serious trouble

With a stuttered sigh, Toni squeezed Shell’s frigid hand, and the two started toward the picnic table She looked to the sky, no longer feeling the snow as it pelted her frozen face, and sent up a little prayer that Zach or Copper would so

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ZACH

“Prez still passed out?” Zach asked Maverick as he sat at the bar sipping the ’s second cup of coffee The first had co with a few muffins as she’d sent him on his way after he’d dropped her off That coffee had been rich, piping hot, and full of flavor This java was thick, burned, and tasted like liquid tar To make matters worse, it barely could be called lukewarm