Page 115 of Burning for You

“We’ll catch up sometime, Mr. Barnes. Right now, if you don’t mind, I need to speak to Levi.”

“Levi? Of course. But wouldn’t it be easier if you just call his cell?”

“I don’t think it’s active.”

“Oh, yeah. Reception here can be bad, and I think their landline is under repair. I’ll get one of my men to fetch him. It might take a while, though. I’ll ask Levi to call you when he gets here. What’s your number?”

I give the rental place’s number and hang up.

“Everything okay?” the lady at the counter says.

“I hope so.”

About half an hour later, after jolting at every ring, I finally get a call back.

“Levi?”

“This is Jesse.”

“Jesse, where’s Levi?”

“Finally you realize it was a mistake to dump my brother?”

“Jesse, listen to me. I’m at the airport, I’m on my way there.”

“Go back to that wanker Mendez, you whore! You’re not welcome here.”

“Someone’s after Levi. You’ve gotta—”

But he hangs up.

“Jesus, Jesse…” I sigh and call the number again.

“Stop calling, bitch!” he barks, then once again hangs up.

I bolt to my car and switch on the satellite navigation. There’s indeed a pre-programmed destination.

After following the directions for about two hours, I’m not far from the set destination and my mind flicks back to the moment leading up to my accident. Someone is tailing me, but this time the car doesn’t even wait for the suspense to build up.

The GMC truck overtakes me, and then swiftly turns and stops to block the road about fifty yards away. I slam on the brake.

Three men in army fatigue and balaclavas storm into my car, forcing me out.

“Let me go!” I say, kicking and thrashing about.

Without words, they drag me toward their vehicle.

When one of them starts to clutch at my arms and grip my neck, I stop my resistance. I can’t let any of them subdue me—whether it’s a punch, a stun gun, chloroform, or anything. I’m carrying a child. I can’t afford to get hurt.

Right now Jesse is my only hope. I’m sure he will see sense and tell Levi about my phone call. Whether they know where I’m being taken to, that’s another question.