She shook her head. “No, I’m good.” Her arm went around her friend. “Marcy’s never been around this…kind of stuff. Unfortunately, I have.”

Now that made a man feel like shit—that a woman was familiar enough with the general assholery of men that she’d experienced it more than once in her life. What the fuck was wrong with his gender?

At their car, he opened the door, helped them in, and gave the brunette a careful scrutiny. Yeah, she was recovered. Safe to drive.

She gave him a nod and headed out of town.

Out of his town.

Only it wasn’t, was it? He didn’t want to be part of a place where men acted like a dog pack, out after prey. Only one guy had even tried to protest.

Scowling, he headed back toward the downtown section. He hadn’t met any of the men before, but he sure as hell would recognize most of them if he saw them again. If he did.

He glanced at the coffee shop and remembered Audrey was leaving.

Frustrated anger was a bitter taste in his mouth.

Audrey was in her comfy corner of the coffee shop. The low hum of the customers made a kind of background music. Business had picked up as people stopped in for the bargain-priced unsold pastries.

Oh, how she would miss this place—smelling the pastries and coffee, hearing Sarah and her husband mock-bicker, getting friendly greetings from the increasing number of people who knew her.

People seemed to like her, and how astonishing was that?

Unless Gabe got a call, he should be coming to get her soon. To take her to Anchorage. She’d better get her stuff put away.

She pulled up her email for a quick check to see if she had a delivery time for her new ID—and found, instead, an email from Dennison.

What disaster had ensued this time?

Biting her lip, she opened it.

Success!

Spyros was arrested today while boarding a flight to Alaska and is now safely behind bars. There will be no bail.

I’m pleased to say it should be safe for you to return to Chicago, Audrey.

Call me when you get into town. I’d like to meet you in person.

D.

A sound escaped her, then another squeak and another. As she jumped to her feet, her chair fell over.

They caught him. She wasn’t going to die. No one was coming for her.

Oh, my God, she was free.

“Julie, are you all right?” Sarah hurried over, her hand out. She halted, and her worried frown cleared. “Wait… Good news?”

“The best. The very best.”

Realizing everyone was staring, Audrey flushed and raised her voice. “Sorry. I’m just…happy.”

Grins appeared along with a few shakes of heads. They were probably thinking idiotic Outsider.

“Well, good.” Sarah patted her shoulder and returned to behind the counter.