Love & Redemption by Chantel Rhondeau Read Free Book Online Page A

ignition, not just the remote start.”
    Gavin swallowed hard. Looked like he’d have to put his plan into action. That voice sounded a lot like the man from the opera house that Shelley had identified as Stephen.
    He crouched on the ground next to Shelley. She slipped her hand into his, fear clear on her face.
    “They can’t have gone far,” Terrance’s voice boomed over the irritating alarms. “We’ll get the diamonds and be out of here before the police arrive. You’re turning into such a whiner.”
    “Maybe because I had plans for Shelley,” Stephen yelled back, “and they didn’t include killing her easily or blowing her to bits.”
    “This is about Carlie, isn’t it?” Terrance asked.
    Shelley lurched to an upright position, fumbling her hand against the ground by her side.
    “What do you need?” Gavin whispered.
    “My purse.” Her eyes met his and her mouth formed a grim line. “We might die here today, but whatever Stephen has planned for my best friend, he’s never getting a chance to do. I’m killing him, like I should have three months ago.”
    Gavin snagged the strap of Shelley’s purse from where it had fallen between the cars and reeled it in between them. “Wouldn’t you rather live to protect Carlie in person?”
    Shelley paused, tilting her head. “You have a plan that includes us getting out of here alive?”
    Zipping up her purse and slipping it over his neck and through one arm to hold it to him securely, he shrugged. “Maybe.” He’d feel more positive about their survival if she hadn’t said she was dizzy and they weren’t five stories up.
    “‘Maybe’ sounds more promising than my idea.” She sighed. “What are you thinking?”
    “We’re going to jump over the outside wall before Stephen and Terrance shoot us.”

Chapter Six
    Shelley bit her lip and stared at Gavin. She must have heard wrong. “Did you just say we’re jumping off the building?”
    “Don’t worry.” He held his hand out to her. “There’s a small ledge, about four feet down. All you have to do is get your foot on that and duck so they can’t see you. I’ll shimmy to the next floor and then pull you inside.”
    He looked sane and sober. So why didn’t his words sound rational?
    “Did something happen to your brain when the car exploded?” she asked. “We can’t climb out there when we’re five stories up.”
    The dimple flashed on his right cheek when he grinned. “It’s okay. You can trust me. I promise to get you down safely.”
    “No man can be trusted,” she grumbled, “especially not one asking me to jump off a building with him.”
    Gavin stood and looked around, only to duck back down quickly. “They’re starting to search. We have to get over that wall before they realize we’re here. Don’t be afraid.”
    She wished he didn’t make so much sense. They had to at least try to escape. Falling five stories to her death sounded like a better alternative than whatever Stephen would do. While she had skills in karate, he was a third-degree black belt with no morals. The only way to win in a fight against him was with the element of surprise. She didn’t have that luxury today.
    “I’ll trust you, Gavin, but please don’t let me fall.”
    Using the help of his outstretched hand, Shelley stood. A wave of dizziness hit her again, causing her stomach to lurch. It frustrated her that she was now a burden for Gavin instead of offering him protection. He seemed confident he could climb down the building without a problem. The noble thing for her to do was send him ahead alone. She put him at risk in her current state.
    Gavin led the way to the wall, positioning them behind a cement pillar. Shelley hoped it hid their movements from Stephen and Terrance.
    He leaned in close and whispered, “Just climb over the top here and slide down. It’ll be scary for a sec until you find the ledge, but I promise it’s there. I’ll be next to you as soon as you have your