Long Road Home (5 page)

What would it hurt? At least he would know she was safe. It wasn’t like calling Northstar, where he’d know where she was inside of five seconds. This was Manny. And it was killing her to imagine the agony he must be enduring. He’d already lost the Trehans.

She closed her eyes. She’d call him from the bus station. For now, she had to get going.

She put several blocks between her and the truck stop before stopping at a pay phone to call a cab. After fifteen minutes, the cab pulled up, and she instructed him to drive to the downtown high-rise apartment building she’d briefly stayed in.

Denver. The Mile High City. Even in her circumstances, she’d appreciated the beautiful city when she had first arrived weeks ago. It was a study in contrast. So modern and sleek against the backdrop of the rugged Rocky Mountains.

Something about those mountains called to her. They had told her she could hide in them and never be found. But they had lied.

She blinked when the cab came to a stop. “Can you wait for me? I’ll just be a minute.”

The cabbie grunted a reply, and she quickly got out. Though it appeared she stared straight ahead, she took in her surroundings, relying on her instincts.

She headed for the concierge’s desk. His eyes flickered in recognition when he saw her. She leaned in close. “The envelope. Do you still have it?”

His wary gaze went beyond her as he surveyed the room. Reaching down, he dug a manila envelope out of a drawer and slid it across the counter to her.

She thanked him then took the envelope and hurried out to the waiting cab. “To the bus station on Nineteenth Street,” she instructed.

She settled back against the seat and tore open the envelope. To her relief, everything she had put in it was still there. Money, multiple passports and, most importantly, the key. She wouldn’t feel totally safe until she had retrieved the contents of her locker.

Several long minutes later, she got out at the bus station and hurried inside after paying the cabbie. She shouldered through the people in the terminal and walked in the direction of the lockers. Two people were there storing away items, and so she waited until they were finished before she scanned the numbers, looking for fifty-four. She inserted the key into the lock and yanked it open. A large black bag hung from a hook. She glanced around again to make sure she wasn’t being watched then reached in and grabbed the bag.

She stuffed the envelope inside the bag, not taking the time to survey the contents. It was all there, and with the security cameras present all over the depot, she couldn’t afford to raise any suspicion.

Slinging it over her shoulder, she walked in the direction of the pay phones, warring with herself over whether to call Manny or not.

She stood in front of the booth holding the receiver in her hand. A few seconds wouldn’t hurt. Just enough time to let him know she was okay. And that she was sorry.

She punched in the numbers to a long-ago memorized calling card and waited with a sick stomach.

He answered on the second ring.

“Manny?”

“Jules. Where are you?” He sounded angry.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“I see. And what
can
you tell me?”

“That I’m sorry,” she said after a long pause. “I know you don’t understand, but I just wanted you to know…”

“What do you want me to know?”

“I love you, Manny, and I don’t want you to get hurt. And if you’re anywhere near me, I can’t guarantee that you won’t die just like…like Mom and Pop did.” She closed her eyes and bit her lip.

“Jules, baby.” His voice softened. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“There’s even more you don’t know about
me
. And I won’t be responsible for your death. You’re the only person I have left in this world, and if it means never seeing you again, then I can accept that. At least you’ll be alive.”

“Just tell me where you are, Jules. I’ll come and get you.”

“I’ve got to go, Manny. I love you.”

“Damn it, Jules—”

She hung up and leaned her forehead on the receiver.

She shuffled back to the ticket counter and surveyed the schedule. The next bus out was to Kansas City. She’d go there and plot her next move.

After purchasing the ticket, she walked to the correct terminal and checked the clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes until it departed. The bus was just pulling in and letting passengers off. Then she could get on.

She tapped her foot impatiently as the people swarmed off the bus. Again she glanced at the clock, irritated to note the departure was behind schedule. The fifteen minutes had stretched to twenty-five. Finally, the last passengers got off, and she started forward.

“Going somewhere, Jules?”

Chapter Seven

Jules froze then slowly turned around. Her face was ashen, her blue eyes large in her face. “Manny? How did you…?”

“The wonders of modern technology.”

“But how?” She looked at him in complete bewilderment. At least she wasn’t running. Yet.

“I was already in Denver when you called. I was able to keep you on long enough to pinpoint your location.”

“But I used a calling card.” She shook her head in disbelief. Not just any calling card, but a code that routed her call through half the freaking world. No way should he have been able to trace her call. “I don’t understand. How could you possibly trace my call? Who
are
you?”

Fear crept into her eyes, and his stomach turned over. The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of him.

“Do you really want to have this conversation here?” he asked, gesturing at all the people milling about.

Her eyes darted around, still luminous with fear. “You have to get away from me, Manny. If you’re seen with me…”

She trailed off, but her meaning was clear.

“Stop trying to protect me, Jules. It’s my job to protect you now.”

She blew out her breath in frustration. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand that you are going with me. Now.” He enunciated each word and stared intently at her, refusing to back down.

She shrank away as he reached out for her arm.

“Don’t make me pick you up and carry you out of here, Jules.”

“Don’t threaten me.” Anger flashed in her eyes. Her hands shook discernibly. She looked close to her breaking point.

Knowing he would win no arguments, he simply plucked her up and cradled her against his chest. She lay there stunned, her mouth open. Then she started struggling.

He tightened his grip on her. “You’re making a scene. Do you want everyone to notice you?”

She stilled instantly, but she glared up at him. “Put me down.”

“I’ll put you down if you agree to come with me.”

“Okay, damn it. Just let me go.”

He let her slide from his arms, but he kept a tight hold on her hand. “My car is outside. Let’s go.”

He pulled her along behind him and all but shoved her into the sleek BMW he had driven to Denver. “Put your seatbelt on,” he directed as he slid into the driver’s seat.

She glared at him again but complied.

“By the way, red isn’t your color.”

Her mouth tightened, and she stared defiantly out the window. Then she turned back to him, her eyes blazing. “How did you find me? How did you recognize me?”

Manuel keyed the ignition but didn’t put the car in gear. He glanced over at Jules. “Do you honestly think a little hair dye is going to make me not see you?” he asked softly. “When your face, your body, everything about you has been imprinted in my soul for the last three years? Did you think I’d forget?”

She stared at him, distress radiating from her like a beacon. She was obviously upset, not that he was here, but that he had found her.

“You can’t be near me, Manny. Mom and Pop died because they came to see me. You have to let me go.”

There was no way that was going to happen, but he wasn’t going to waste precious time arguing with her. “There’s a lot you don’t know about
me
, Jules. But what is most important right now is that you know
I’m not letting you go again
.”

Her intake of breath was swift. “Manny, I couldn’t bear it if I lost you too.” Raw agony infiltrated her voice.

“You aren’t going to lose me, Jules. Trust me.”

She looked startled, as if the idea of trusting anyone was anathema.

He put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space. Then he roared out of the lot en route to the interstate. He dug out his cell phone and punched in Tony’s number.

“Yeah,” Tony said in a distracted voice.

“I’ve got her.”

“Hey, that’s great. Is she okay?”

Manuel looked over at her. “Yeah, as well as can be expected. You got a safe house worked out yet?”

“Sure do. I’ll punch in the coordinates and upload it to your car’s navigational system. Just follow the directions, and you’ll be there in a few hours.”

“What would I do without you, Tony?”

“Die a fiery death, no doubt. I’ll check in with you later. I have some information about your girl I think you’ll find very interesting.”

Manuel sobered. “Tony, I need a favor. One I have no right to ask.”

“Shoot.”

Manuel sucked in his breath as he contemplated what he was about to do. “Don’t let Sanderson know I’ve found her.”

The phone went silent. “Any reason why?” Tony finally asked.

“He wants me to bring her in. I’m not ready to do that yet. There’s too much I need to know. Just give me a few days. Run interference for me.”

Tony paused again. “Sure man, you got it.”

Manuel let his breath out in relief. “Thanks, Tony. I’ll keep in touch.”

He shoved the phone back into his pocket and turned his attention to the road. What would Tony tell him about Jules? Dread curled in his stomach, spreading up into his chest. Was he prepared to learn what had happened three years ago? Would it change things between him and Jules?

When he glanced over at Jules, he saw that she was staring holes through him.

“Who are you talking about turning me in to? Or not turning me in to? Who the hell are you, Manny?”

“Funny, I was going to ask you the same question.” He pinned her with his gaze. “I think we both have a lot of talking to do. When we get to the safe house, I want answers. Until then, you need to get some rest.”

He said it in a way that didn’t offer her any alternatives. And either she was too tired to argue or she didn’t have a response, because she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.

Unable to help it, he reached over and curled his fingers around her hand. Warmth spread up his arm when her hand tightened around his.

For the first time, he allowed himself to think everything might be okay. Now if only he could convince her of that.

Jules stared out her window, the miles passing in a blur. She and Manny hadn’t exchanged words since they’d left Denver, but she knew he watched her. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to meet his stare.

They were heading south toward New Mexico, and with each mile her fear grew. Fear that she wouldn’t be able to protect Manny from Northstar. From what she’d become.

She sank lower in the seat, gingerly drawing her knees up to her chest. Her fingers stroked the duffle bag at her side, drawing assurance from the outline of the gun there. At least she’d have some way of defending them when—not if—they were tracked.

A sharp pain twisted through her chest and robbed her of breath. She sucked in air, determined not to panic as the scenery blurred before her. Damn, her ribs were on fire. She reclined the seat in an attempt to alleviate the growing pressure in her midsection.

The pain eased as she stretched out, and her breathing evened. She pressed her hands to her temples and squeezed her eyes shut. Her pulsed thudded incessantly against her fingertips.

“Speak to me, Jules. What’s wrong? Do I need to get you back to the hospital?” Manny’s concerned voice seared through her haze of pain.

“No,” she said faintly. “I’m all right. Really.”

“Where are you, baby? Because you’re miles away from here right now.”

She cringed, not wanting to voice what she had been thinking. It sounded pathetic and defeatist. But she blurted it out anyway. “I was thinking it should have been me who died. Not Mom and Pop.”

To her surprise, he slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the shoulder. He turned on her, his eyes blazing in the faint light offered by the headlights. “Don’t say that. Don’t
ever
say that. I thought I lost you, Jules. For three long years I lived with the awful reality you might not be coming home. And then I found you. Don’t you dare wish you had died, because I’ve spent the last three years praying you were alive.”

Before she could respond, he put his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to meet his kiss. Her mouth opened in surprise, and his tongue darted forward, gently probing her lips.

It was everything she had ever dreamed it would be. For a moment, she was in high school again, dressing for the prom, depressed because the one guy she wanted to take was eight years older and already out of college. She had closed her eyes and imagined it was Manny kissing her when her date had delivered her to the door with the prerequisite peck on the lips.

He was exquisitely gentle, his lips moving reverently over hers. His fingers worked slowly into her hair, kneading and stroking as he deepened his kiss.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it ended. He pulled away from her and ran a hand through his hair in agitation. “Christ, I’m sorry, Jules. You don’t need that right now.”

She stared at him in shock. With a trembling hand, she raised her fingers and touched her swollen mouth.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’m sorry, baby.”

He allowed her hand to slide from his, and she pulled hers away, cradling it with her other hand. What was she supposed to say? She was so damn confused she doubted she could recall her own name at the moment. For that matter, she really had no idea what her real name was. A hysterical bubble of laughter rose quickly in her throat, and she fought to choke it back.