MAX PULLED THE VAN off the road into a small, empty parking lot next to a red brick building. He pulled around back and slammed on the brakes, exiting the vehicle while it still rocked from his abrupt stop.
Nita jumped out and started to run. Max caught the neckline of her coat and jerked her to a stop, smacking her hard in the kidneys. Breath stealing pain razored through her, bringing her to her knees on the crumbling asphalt.
Tears flooded her eyes as she tried to pull breath into her lungs.
“Don’t make this worse, Nita.” Max jerked her upright and dragged her over to a rusted metal door that was covered in peeling white paint.
He shoved her down to the ground and Nita leaned against the wall, holding her stomach and fighting the bright tang of nausea rolling through her.
Max inser
