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Seeeant stopped long enough to dig in her handbag She then continued toward her car

Randon cracked the door of his ht, mother fucker Let’s see what you’re made of”

Chapter Four

Pageant clutched her gun and kept her weapon close to her person She’d been wise to theher, but she’d tried to act as if she were unaware of his presence, of the danger he represented

Formerly a Mia

eant had been dubbed the department’s chemical weapon The reason supposedly had more to do with her lack of conscience than her quiet approach during brutal attacks

Pageant eventually left Mia that ever-present knot in her chest, the clenching sensation that often left her gasping for air and wondering if her next breath would be her last As she tried to remain calm, she forced herself to maintain a steady pace

She’d left Miami because she couldn’t stand the heat She’d been honest and forthco with her superiors and told them precisely why she wanted out and what had they done? Attributed her request for transfer to the weather instead of the constant threats most officers received on a daily basis

They’d saved face and she’d fled Florida She still re over her shoulder, and thinking to herself that it would be the last ti or a red flag to signify someone had tampered with her brakes while she’d used the restroom Once Miami had been in her rearview mirror, she’d been convinced of her safety

Pleasant, North Carolina not only carried a na its mountainous scenery and overall serenity, but the shbors ready to embrace a newcomer She shuddered then as she remembered the attributes that had drawn her to Pleasant

Her neighbors had likely welcomed a killer Someone in the coue, had eeant didn’t wonder what awaited her If thesince he’d apparently murdered without weapons in play—then she knehat awaited her She understood the fate she faced Death was upon her

By all accounts, there wasn’t anything she could do to stop it, except maybe pray Her key was in hand, locked firun was cocked

About the time she reached her sedan, a cool eerie breeze shot past her, leaving a bluish blur in its wake At the saht have been a olf but she’d never actually seen one—ju across the front of her car The beast dashed into the woods, corowth of brush, and the dark night

Pageant gripped her key until the jagged edges cut into her flesh She swung her gaze fro lot to the other She kept her forty-five in front of her, expecting another jolting turn of events

In the distance, the undeniable sound of motorcycles filled the air as a near nasal-like racket caeant shook off her fear, tucked her car key in her front pocket, and dropped her arm to her side