Chapter 3

“That’s okay.” Now he was the one giving a peace offering before he excused himself and strolled away.

As usual, it was quite late in the evening and the parking lot was empty but for one or two cars. Ashley zipped up his jacket and clutching the strap of his sling bag, he jogged across the empty space to where he locked his bike.

To his shock, a steely grip circled around his biceps and Ashley would have been knocked backward if the hand hadn’t balanced him and stopped him from face planting on the ground.

“Don’t turn around,” a low, rough voice whispered in his ear, warm breaths puffing on Ashley’s neck. “Keep walking and don’t try anything. I have a knife.”