chapter ELEVEN
Brian stormed around the warehouse. It took everything he had to not kick the lifeless body sprawled on the floor in front of him. He was losing it and he knew it. Those God forsaken demons needed to die! And that’s what he thought of all that came between him and the life he wanted.
“Maybe we need to regroup.” The man he called Lincoln said. “They got close enough to kill Jake.”
“Yeah,” another said. “Who are they?” He pointed this question toward Brian.
Brian didn’t answer. He walked up to the man, his pace slow, sure and grabbed the man around the collar, pulling his face flush with his. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is I’m working with a group of idiots who couldn’t see danger if it was standing two feet away.” He shoved the man away, causing him to stumble, fall. He righted himself and took several paces away.
“I will take no more.” Brian stormed away. His anger pouring off of him like putrid sweat. The anger so palpable he tasted it on the tip of his tongue. His heart pounded in his temples, shooting pain though his brain.
He turned, glared at the men staring at him then down at the crumpled mess.
“Clean this crap up.” He ran his hand through his hair. “One more.” He held up a single finger. “One more and it will be done.”
All he wanted to do was to get it over with and bury himself in the warmth of his wife’s body. Angela. He did it all for her, to remove the nightmares. The hurt. The past. He didn’t know they could be so strong. So flagrant, until…
Brian closed his eyes, sucked in a breath. The screams sliced through him. Even though it wasn’t his dream, his nightmare, he lived it every day. And until the cleansing was complete, there would be no peace.
* * *
Reed held the gun he still possessed next to his head and motioned for Denver to stand behind him. Magnimus’ house was quiet. Darkness shrouded it like a tomb. He tilted his head and sniffed the air. Nothing. He’d made it a point to imbed Maggie’s scent into his brain. He would never forget it. Maggie wasn’t here. Could it be possible that Magnimus wasn’t a traitor? He was sure he would have come back to his home, knowing they were dead or worse.
The side door slid open without sound. They stepped into the kitchen and stood in silence. Reed scanned the room searching for any signs of betrayal. The darkness cast ominous shadows on the wall, sending feelings of dread along his arms. Denver’s heart pounded so hard it resonated in his ears. He gave her a sidelong glance, attempting to calm her, assure her. He wasn’t sure if it worked or not. Her expression never faltered. Small beads of sweat peppered her forehead and the top of her lip. He mouthed the words, “Are you okay?”
A quick jerk of her head said yes but he knew otherwise. No she wasn’t okay. Wouldn’t be for a long time. It would take years for her to get over the fact, her best friend and mentor was a traitor, a killer. It would take her even longer to get over him killing Maggie. But he’d do whatever possible to ensure her safety, her life. Even if it meant destroying the one person she thought she could trust.
They stood in the center of the living room. Nothing had changed. The pristine furniture, the expensive pictures on the walls were all untouched, the knick-knacks unscathed. Denver’s breath hitched from behind Reed. Turning, he cupped her face in his hands, making her stare into his eyes.
“This doesn’t mean anything.” She tried to turn away. He brought her face back to his gaze. “We can’t stay here.”
“What about Maggie?” her voice wavered.
Damn him. “I don’t know, Denver.” He really didn’t know. Nothing made sense any more. The only thing that he was of sure was they needed to find a place to hide. God, he hated that word, hide. It made him sound weak. He wasn’t weak and he didn’t stick his head in the ground, hoping the bad guy would pass him by. No, he was a fighter, even if it meant to his death.
“I can’t do this.” Denver lowered her face into her hands.
Reed grasped her wrist, tugged her hands away. “Yes, you can and you will. We can’t stay here. The longer we’re here the more danger we’re in. We don’t know who the players of this game are, and frankly, Denver, I’m getting tired of running. I don’t know where we’re going or how we’re to get there but we’ve got two seconds to get out of here. This house is no longer secure.”
Shaking her head, she gasped for much needed air. The sobs broke though on a wave of air. There was nothing worse than a woman in tears, especially a strong woman. Reed would have rather had his leg twisted off or a knife plunged into his heart than to hear Denver cry. He grasped her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. His hands caressed up the length of her back with hopes to soothe, to comfort.
“Shh, baby. I know you’re afraid. It’s okay.” He pulled her tighter to him when she tried to pull away. “Denver, I can’t tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow but I need you to trust me to keep you safe. Can you trust me, baby?”
She nodded into his shoulder. Her breath hitched.
“Okay, we’ve got to leave, find another safe house. Can you do that with me?”
“Ye-- yes.” Her voice shook.
Together they moved through the house making sure there was no one there and gathering a few items into a duffle bag. He stood at the door and took one last glance around the living room.
“You ready?”
She nodded.
Reed cracked the door and peered out into the yard. Birds chirped at the barely risen sun. The salty sweet scent of the ocean assailed his nostrils and sent goose bumps along his arms.
“Wait,” Denver whispered and then turned and dashed back up the stairs leading to the master bedroom.
“Denver.” He cursed under his breath. What is she thinking? He turned and chased her up the stairs.
Denver was in the bedroom shoving the dresser over. It crashed to the floor. She kneeled, ripped the carpet up in the corner and exposed a hidden safe. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then reopened them and stared at the combination lock. Three turns and the safe popped open. She pulled out a satchel and tossed it to him.
The whirl of the zipper was the only sound in the room as he opened it. There had to be several thousand dollars in the bag and another gun. It also held several different credit cards, Visa, Master Cards and an American Express. Each with a fictitious name imbedded on the card. For a split second he liked Magnimus. Only now he prayed they weren’t stolen.
Magnimus may be a traitor but he had more class and clout than to use stolen cards. He’d been around a very long time and he must have had to make a great escape on more than one occasion. Thank God for that. Nodding he settled his gaze on Denver as she pulled herself up to stand.
“I figured he owes us.”
“Damn straight.” He grabbed her hand, tugged her toward the door.
His prayers had been answered. Well, at least one of them. All plans needed financing and there was no way he could use his own credit cards and the last of his cash was lost with the last fight. Not knowing everyone on the opposing team, he couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t track him. He wasn’t sure how much of his life was factored into the equation and didn’t want to find out. Now they had to find a place to stay. Some place out of the way, inconspicuous, hidden. And he knew just the place.
His heart a little lighter, he remembered a little hidey-hole he’d used before when he was staking out some potential prey. Now to get there without being noticed. That was a whole different battle.
***
Denver walked in silence. The distant sounds of waves crashing against the shore mingled with the freshness of the salty air. No matter what happened, if she survived, she would find another place near the beach, the sea even. She drew a breath, savoring the sensations around her. Her shoulders slumped at the thought she may never see the ocean again.
She wasn’t sure of the emotions storming through her mind and heart. Nothing made sense. She’d known Maggie for years, decades even. She gave him his nickname. It didn’t settle with her that he would sell her out the way he did. There had to be something fierce behind it. Something he had no control over. When her parents died he was the one who stepped up and saved her, held her when she cried because there was no one else. He was the one who taught her when there were no teachers. Crap, damn it all to hell. She wouldn’t believe it, couldn’t. There had to be something else.
She slid a sidelong glance toward Reed. None of this happened until he showed up. Her life was almost perfect. She was happy. She had friends. She had a life. Now it was all she could do to keep the tears at bay. She thought of her friend Laura. Too what extent had they tortured her?? Had she been raped? The disheveled hospital room sent a wave of anguish to her heart. The sob escaped her throat before she could stop it.
Reed slowed his pace, but didn’t stop. She was thankful for that. She didn’t want to have to explain to him the things going through her head, her heart. But didn’t he know already? She felt his energy and she smelled his emotions. He was as angry as her, if not more. He had lost more, seen more, survived more.
However, she couldn’t help but wonder how he played in this. Maybe he was the plant? Maybe he was sent to her hospital to draw her and Maggie out? Maybe she needed to keep a closer eye on him. She shook her head, not knowing where the doubt came from or where it needed to lie. She didn’t like the way it made her feel. Deep down she knew Reed wouldn’t hurt her. Not after the way he looked at her, touched her, filled her. But still, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled, the muscles in her stomach quivered. There was danger ahead and she didn’t know from which direction it came.
She shook her head as she swiped away the single tear that dared to leak from her eye. No, she would not add more confusion to the pandemonium battling in her head and heart. He. Was. Not. Bad. She’d hate to have to kill him.
“Denver.” Reed said her name a second time before she heard him. “Are you okay?”
How could he ask that? Hell no! She wouldn’t be for a long time.
“Fine.”
“No, you’re not.” Reed stepped up to her, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest.
She inhaled and captured the masculine scent that was his alone. Her lungs filled with air, uncoiled the knots in her stomach, and released the tension in her muscles. He settled her in ways she didn’t know possible. No, he couldn’t be bad. If he were, it would kill her as well. She wouldn’t want to go on if everything she believed was a lie.
“Look at me, Denver.” He pushed her to an arm’s length. She diverted her gaze to the ground. “Look at me.” Slowly she tilted her head up and settled her gaze on his face. “I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
Denver worried her bottom lip. What in God’s name was wrong with her? She knew that. She believed it. Bringing her to him and pressing her head to his shoulder he slid his hand up and down the length of her back, yet again in an attempt to comfort, to sooth. A shuddering breath escaped her lungs and she wrapped her arms around him, fisting his shirt in her hands. She just needed something to hold on to, if only for a little while.
“You’ve got to believe me.” He touched her forehead with his. “If I’d known this was going to happen, bring this onto you, I would have let them kill me.”
“I know.” Deep down it was there, the unbelievable belief that he would protect her, love her. “I’m just so tired.”
“I’ll get us to a safe place and then you can rest.”
She glanced into his eyes and saw the promise. She nodded and walked in the direction he pointed. Yes, after a little sleep it would be better. After her mind was clearer, she’d see things for what they were.
They’d walked for over an hour. Every muscle ached. What was wrong with her? She didn’t even have the energy to ask Reed where he was taking her. She followed him like a lost puppy. If she didn’t get it together, she not only was going to lose her mind but her life as well.
“Reed, wait.” She stopped, gathered herself and stared at him. “Where the hell are we going and why are we walking?”
A soft smile curved the corners of his mouth seconds before he spoke. “A place I know where you can get some sleep, and I truly tried, but the limo was occupied.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She glanced around their surroundings. “Can’t we grab a cab or steal a car?”
His right eye arched in curiosity.
“Hell, I’m either going to get killed or going to jail for something I didn’t do, might as well have a reason for the arrest that’s real.” Her mind floated back to Laura and the pain and anguish reopened like an infected sore. She waved him away when he took a step toward her. “Forget what I said.” She started walking again. “Let’s just get there, okay.”
“If I see a gypsy ca--”
Everything happened so fast. First there was the sound of tires spinning on asphalt. Next the discomfort of every drop of air being knocked out of her lungs when Reed lifted her off her feet and tossed her against the building next to them. Her body slammed against the brick bringing forth new pain to her tired muscles, just as the sound of metal crashing into concrete assailed her ears. Her senses stunned, she slid to the ground, rolled and ducked behind a parked car. What happened? Had someone tried to run them over? Where was Reed?
Did she dare look from behind the safety of her barrier? If she did, she could be killed. However, she didn’t have a choice. She crawled on hands and knees to the rear of the car and moved to the side facing the street.
“Reed,” she whispered. He didn’t answer.
She dared a peep. Every drop of blood rushed from her head and dizziness overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes and prayed she didn’t faint. Her breath left her lungs in a quick burst, calming the lightheadedness. The same tears she’d fought so hard to keep at bay dripped from her eyes when she settled her gaze on Reed, his body painfully pinned between the car and a large metal garbage dumpster next to the building. Wasn’t it ironic? She hadn’t even seen the bin or the car before it was too late. Reed’s body lay limp across the hood. Blood dripped from a deep laceration on his forehead.
“Reed!” She leaped to her feet and ran to him, not caring if they were there. She had to help him.
She stopped short of the driver’s side door and glared through the window. The driver, like Reed, was unconscious. He lay slumped over the steering wheel, the car reeking of old beer and cigarettes. She moved on to help Reed.
“Oh, God, Reed.” Touching his forehead, she slid her hand to his neck and checked his pulse. Yes! It was erratic and weak, but he had one. “Can you hear me, Reed? I need you to open your eyes, baby. Look at me.”
Tears stung her eyes and desperation wrapped a steel band around her chest, crushing her. A moan escaped his throat and it was music to her ears.
“That’s right, baby. Open your eyes.”
His lashes fluttered briefly. A short burst of air puffed between his lips. He opened his eyes and gritted his teeth. “Damn, that hurt,” his voice thick with pain. He tried to lift his body and the moan that shot from his mouth made her jump.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.”
“Don’t try to move.”
“Got to.”
“No. There could be internal injuries.” She leaned closer to him, stared into his eyes, her hands touching his face, his arms, and his back.
“Probably,” he said, his voice frighteningly calm.
“Listen, Reed. I’m going to push the car back, okay.”
He nodded, blew out a breath, and sucked one in. “Just do it. Slow.”
She slung open the driver’s side door, slapped the gear into neutral and pressed her body against the side of the door. “Okay, Reed. Here goes.”
She shoved. Sweat dripped from her forehead, plastered her shirt against her back, but the car didn’t move. “Damn it!” She glanced over her shoulder at Reed. His body lay prone against the car hood. He wasn’t moving. Had he passed out?
“One, two, three.” Nothing. “Oh, God, Reed. It won’t move. Something’s wrong.”
She moved back to the front of the car where he was pinned. He slowly lifted his eyes and stared back at her.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Shh. It’ll be okay.” He closed his eyes and laid his head back on the hood, blew out more air between his gritted teeth. “Don’t try to push it. Something may be wrong with the gear. I’m gonna try to help you.”
“No, stop moving. Just hold on, please.”
Reed lifted his head slightly, stared into her face, his eyes pleading. “Denver, listen.” He closed his eyes, opened them, pain radiating across his face, glistening in his eyes. “I--” his head bobbed and he snapped it back. Reed’s eyes rolled to the top of his head before he refocused on her face. “We’ve got to get out--” He shook his head in a motion she knew to remove the cobwebs that were probably weaving a fog across his consciousness.
Placing his hands on the hood in front of the grill, he closed his eyes again, drew in a lung full of air and slowly blew it out. She grabbed hold of the car next to the wheel well and pressed her body against the frame. She glanced over her shoulder and nodded. He swallowed and shoved. The muscles in his neck bulged with the strain. Sweat glistened on his forehead.
The sound of metal scraping metal fractured the air. The car jerked before it was lifted off the ground and moved back a foot. Smoke spewed from the front hood.
“Arrrgh!”
His moan chilled her to the bones. She swung around and caught a glimpse of him as his body slid to the ground in front of the car. He looked like death warmed over; all color had drained from his face leaving a grayish tint to his normally chocolate brown hue.
“Oh, God! Damn it, Reed.” She kneeled beside him, lifted his head to her lap and stroked his forehead. “Open your eyes, please.” She rocked back and forth. “I’m gonna have to call nine-one-one if you don’t talk to me.”
He coughed, his body jerked and he opened his eyes. “Don’t. I’m okay.”
“The hell you are.” He coughed again and she tried unsuccessfully to ignore the tiny bit of blood at the corner of his mouth. “Reed, listen to me. We’ve got to get you some help.”
“No.” He tried to yell but it had no punch when it was coupled with a groan. “Just give me a minute. Help me sit up.”
She did as he asked. Short erratic bursts of air puffed out between his gritted teeth. She felt as if his life was slipping between her fingers. “Damn it, Reed. Don’t you die on me.
“It’s gonna take more than a car running me over to make me do that,” he said as he rolled to his knees and pushed up to stand, Denver’s arm wrapped tightly around his waist for support. “Son of a bitch!” Grabbing his stomach, he went down to his knees.
She bent to meet his gaze. “Reed. We’ve got to get you to a hospital, please.”
“No.” He all but growled it and then spat blood onto the concrete.
“Let me get you in the car.” She heaved in a breath, blew it out. Tightening her grasp around his waist, she pulled up, bringing Reed to stand beside her. “You okay?” She paused, hoping to help him get his bearings.
“Peachy.” Reed laughed, grabbed his stomach.
“What?” She didn’t know what was funny. It was all too surreal to her, downright crazy.
“We’re being chased by some f*cked up people and I have a damn drunk driver take me out.”
She shook her head and smiled. Having said that, he slowly moved to the back door of the vehicle holding on to the roof for added support.
“What about him?” He motioned to the man slumped over in the seat.
“He’s drunk. I think.” She remembered she hadn’t checked his pulse. He could be dead, but right now she really didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was getting Reed to safety, to check out his injuries and pray he was going to be all right.
“So what’s your plan, Denver?” Reed asked from the back seat. She glanced in the rear view mirror, met his gaze.
“Hoping this piece of crap car starts, I figure we could find someplace to hide out for a day or two. Park this a*shole’s car right in front.” She cut her gaze to the man snoring in the passenger seat.
Reed rattled off the address of the hotel he had in mind, pressed his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. They’d have to be very careful now. The sun, high in the sky, burnt off any shadows that they may have hidden behind. Thirty minutes later, Denver shifted the car into park a block from the hotel. She cut a side-glance at her drunken passenger and in the rear view mirror. Neither man stirred.
Dragging herself from the vehicle, she grabbed the stranger’s arm, pulled him over to lean against the driver’s door and then stepped to the back of the car.
“Reed,” she whispered his name, not wanting to call attention to them. The street surrounding them was alive with commuters and pedestrian traffic. “Come on, baby. Let’s go get us a room.”
His eyes fluttered open, onyx; even the sclera, stared back at her. Her stomach clenched at the moan escaping his throat when he opened his eyes and shifted in the seat.
Gingerly they walked into the hotel, paid with cash and retreated to the room. One facing the front and close to the stairs.
Once in the room, Reed moved to the only chair and slowly lowered his battered body down. Perspiration soaked his shirt and peppered his forehead, his respirations rapid and shallow.
It was going to be frivolous to insist he get in the bed. She knew he wouldn’t close his eyes anymore until he thought she was safe. But, would she ever be safe again?
“I’m not going to rest with you sitting over there. You need to sleep more than I do.” The dark shadows carved around his eyes over the past hour were quite indicative of how he felt. “Plus, it’ll help you heal.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, laid down and reached out a hand. “Please, come and lay beside me.” He shoved up, moved over to the bed and dropped down. As soon as his head hit the pillow he sank into a comatose state, like a rock sinking into a pool.