The heavy side door of the black van slid open with a sharp, metallic screech. Before Evelyn could even take a single step backward, two large men wearing dark clothes and black ski masks leaped out onto the pavement.

"Grab her! Fast!" a rough voice shouted from behind a mask.

The taller man lunged forward, reaching his thick, gloved hands straight for Evelyn's arms. Evelyn gasped in terror, her handbag slipping from her fingers as she tried to dodge out of the way. But the street was narrow, and the van blocked her path completely.

Before the attacker's fingers could touch her skin, a powerful force slammed into Evelyn from...