Nick pulled her to him, and the door swung shut behind them. Cradled in his arms, Elise had never felt so cherished. They stood like that a moment, ho...ding each other, feeling the beating of each others hearts and listening to the other breathing. Subtly, the atmosphere changed and the air felt charged around them. Nick pulled back from her slightly, looking down at her once again, before crushing his mouth down on hers. She replied, greedily, putting her hands on the back of his head to get. The trucker motioned for us to take the next exit, and I sped away.“Wasn’t that hot?!” she cried.“Yeah,” I responded icily.“What? What’s wrong?” Zaleah asked putting her clothes back on.“Nothing. It’s nothing,” I said.“Okay. Well, if it’s nothing, then do you mind slowing down? You’re doing ninety!”I took my foot off the accelerant and loosened my grip on the wheel.“Are you mad about something?” she asked with a look of concern.“No…well, no. Forget it.”“I can’t forget it. What?”“It’s just. ”I was amazed at how quickly she could walk in those killer heels, but I kept pace until we got to a limousine.“Get in,” she said.Once inside the shiny black stretch, she pushed a button and spoke to the driver in a language I recognized as French, “Stephen, nous emmène à l'hôtel s'il vous plaît.”She put her hand on my leg and said, “We are headed to a hotel. When we are finished tonight, my driver will take you anywhere you want to go. He understands English well enough, no worries.”I must. Jenkins opened a drawer and pulled out hishandgun. He dialed the phone and began talking to someone at the statepolice station."I know it's local jurisdiction, but the sheriff is in on this. I'llhold these children until you can get someone out here. Now hurry,goddammit!" Al Jenkins was still steady in a crisis. He grabbed a pumpshotgun and gave the pistol to his wife.Bobby's mother was screaming and flailing around outside their house,attempting to relay what had happened to Sean and the two.