Chapter 45

She sat pressed against the right-side door, her arm tight against the frame, even though she knew it wouldn't help because the doors were locked. Valeria didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the road outside was wide and empty, with only the occasional passing car. They were still in the northern outskirts, flanked by nothing but factories and dimly lit streets. It was quiet and remote. Her chest tightened as she tried to act like nothing was wrong. "It's only half past eight. It's not that late." "How could your man let such a pretty lady work? If you were my wife, I wouldn't let you out of my sight." The driver licked his lips as his eyes dropped to the curve of her pale neck. Valeria met his stare in the mirror. His face looked plain, almost harmless, but his eyes were anything but. Her pulse jumped. She slipped one hand into her bag, her fingers wrapping around the pepper spray. With the other, she pulled out her phone. Glancing out the window at the dark, empty road, sh