Page 15 of Run

“Kelly, what are you doing out here all by yourself?”

I peered inside, saw Tony behind the steering wheel, which gave me some measure of relief. Tony was behind the wheel chauffeuring Gage. Tony had his own motivations and interests, and I didn’t think I was one of them. Still, I trusted my instincts enough to know that this situation wasn’t great, and I knew I wouldn’t feel better until I was away from him. But, as long as I kept my distance, I thought I’d be okay.

I looked at Tony for a moment longer, then moved my gaze to the passenger side where Gage sat. He was eyeing me with that predatory gleam again. I couldn’t stop the thought of how ironic it was that Gage cornering me on a dark street was the least worrisome thing that had happened today.

“I was in the mood for a walk,” I said.

“You left without saying good-bye,” he said.

“Sorry about that. I was feeling a little sick, needed some air,” I said.

“You should’ve told one of us. We would have taken you home,” Gage said.

“I just needed a moment.” I didn’t say anything else, and neither did he.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you around,” I said, beginning to move. I wouldn’t see him, but now wasn’t the time or the place to tell him that.

“You need a ride?” he asked, his smile gleaming.

There was no way I was getting into that car. No way at all, but I didn’t tell him that, instead I smiled and waved, mixing flirtatiousness and firmness.

“No thanks. Wouldn’t want to cause you any bother,” I said.

“Oh it would be our pleasure, Kelly,” he said.

I smiled quickly and then started walking faster. “Thanks, but I’m good. See you at the bar, Gage.”

I turned away and kept walking, not moving nearly as fast as I wanted to, but hopefully fast enough to give them the message. I was on edge, hoping beyond hope that the car would keep going. I wouldn’t be able to breathe again until they’d left.

I kept walking as the tense moments passed, and when I finally heard the engine roar and the car drive off, some of the tension loosened in my chest, and I sucked in a breath.

They had always been aggressive, but there was something different about conference outside the confines of the bar.

It was probably just an illusion, the thinking that I had some level of control, but now, my heart pounded wildly. Maybe it was the wearying emotion of seeing Vincent and having to fend off the feelings that doing so brought, but this day had been taxing, and I needed somewhere to rest and come up with a plan.

I kept walking, grateful when I saw the looming shape of a hotel.

I’d carefully saved my money, always had a couple thousand dollars cash, just in case. My mother had taught me that, a lesson that I appreciated.

Then there was the fact that I never risked banks. I always made sure to get the best forged documents I could, but I didn’t want to leave a trail, so the rest of my money was back at my apartment.

I’d have to leave it.

That sucked, but I had rebuilt before and I would do it again. So I kept walking toward what would be my home for the night.

The lit door of the hotel was like an oasis in the desert, and I walked toward it, my heart finally starting to slow. I paused outside for moment and fixed my clothes as best I could. I didn’t look great, but I would be able to pull it off.

I breathed deep and went inside, and two minutes later I was letting myself into the hotel room. I closed the door, and then rested against it, finally feeling like I could breathe for the first time all day.

In fact, as I stood against the door, I marveled at what had happened.

I had seen Vincent.

He was here.

He was alive.

My mind snagged on that last thought more than the others, and I made no attempt at all to suppress the relief that I felt. There was not a day that went by that I didn’t think of him, wonder what was happening to him, what had happened to him.