Begging for Extra Time

Jude shifted into drive and pulled smoothly onto the road, checking his mirrors before looking over. "You okay? Need me to take you to the police?"

Clutching her bag against her knees, she took a shaky breath and shook her head.

"No, no police," she said softly. "I just lost track of time. I was hanging out with friends, got lost in the side streets, and my phone died right at sunset. I was just looking for the subway when those guys started following me. If you hadn't come down this road, I don't know what would've happened."

"Good timing," Jude said, turning onto an open avenue. "I'm Jude Lawson."

"Luna Ning," she replied politely.

As the SUV hit a bump in the road, Luna winced, clutching her bag tighter. Jude noticed right away.

"How bad is the ankle?"

"Twisted it pretty bad on that drain," Luna admitted.