Dead Running Page 15

  “Ready?” he asked. Terry nodded. Al hit send on the pictures and wiped away a trickle of sweat.

  An instant messenger popped up on his screen. Is Nathan dead already?

  Al typed quickly. Not dead, unconscious. As soon as I have confirmation of the first million in my account I will plug him and deliver what’s left to you.

  The words appeared on his screen. Check your account. The money is already there.

  “Terry,” Al’s voice pitched up several octaves, excitement coursed through him. “Is it true?”

  Terry moved into Al’s spot, punched some keys, and after a few seconds nodded. “One million dollars confirmed.” He pounded Al on the shoulder, backing away.

  Al grinned. He turned to type a response to their sponsor.

  “One million dollars,” Terry celebrated by his side, staring at the computer screen over Al’s shoulder. “And another mill once they get the body. Tell Mr. Ramirez that we love work” There was a loud thud.

  Al whirled. A black shadow hovered over his chair. He didn’t have time to raise his hands before a solid hit to his head let him know he had lostagain.

  Humiliation Galore

  I glanced at Damon, not ready to exit his vehicle. “Do we really have to go on a run with the whole group this morning? I thought it could just be you and me.” I’d actually prefer the large numbers, especially since Muscle Man and Greasy Beanpole could be coming for me and this setup made Nana worry a lot less, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Hot Redhead when I was so worried about my dad.

  Damon covered my hand with his. “What are you afraid of? You’re running great. You can keep up with anybody here.” He gestured to the half-dozen runners milling about the parking lot at the base of Logan Canyon. What was it with runners and canyons? Did they enjoy running straight uphill?

  Damon gave me a quick peck on the lips, released my hand, and jumped out of the car. His door slammed, but I needed a minute. I took a couple of calming breaths, told myself my dad was going to be okay, then forced myself to jerk the handle and swing my door open. The heavy metal thumped into something, followed by some muttered curses.

  My eyes widened. I jumped out of the vehicle and grabbed Damon’s arm. He was bent over, clutching his abdomen.

  “Oh, Damon. I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” I stroked his arm consolingly.

  He didn’t straighten, but glanced up at me, acknowledging my words with a shake of his head and a forced smile.

  “Are you all right, Damon?” Hot Redhead asked, coming level with me. “I can’t believe Cassidy would do something like that to you. That must really hurt.”

  I didn’t give her the courtesy of turning around, but kept patting Damon’s arm and muttering useless, sympathetic words.

  “It was just an accident,” Damon said from between clenched teeth. “I’m fine.”

  The entire group was upon us now.

  “Girlfriend just take you out?” Joe asked.

  “I think he was begging for it,” Trevor said. “I saw him cop a cheap kiss a couple of seconds ago. You were totally justified in slamming the door into him, Cassie.”

  I shook my head. “Thanks, Trevor. I feel so much better now.”

  Damon straightened, ignoring his friends. “Let’s run.”

  Slowly everyone turned away and started jogging up the path. Everyone but Hot Redhead. She couldn’t miss such an opportune moment. The three of us formed the rear of the pack.

  Elizabeth slithered next to Damon. “Are you sure you’re okay? That was a hard hit Cassidy put on you.”

  Damon rubbed at his lower abdomen. “I’ll be fine, thanks Elizabeth.”

  I shook my head. “I am so sorry.”

  Damon grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to him. “If you say that one more time, I may not forgive you.”

  “Say it again,” Elizabeth muttered.

  “Thanks for being so great,” I whispered, squeezing his hand before focusing on my stride.

  The first of the run was a lot less demanding than I’d feared. Trees, shrubs, and wildflowers lined the trail on one side and The Logan River flowed down the other. It was picturesque and Damon was a champion. The time flew as we chatted and laughed. Even though Elizabeth insisted on staying close by Damon the entire run, we had a good time. My legs were just beginning to tire when we reached the turn-around point.

  I flew back down the trail. Elizabeth ran ahead so we got to enjoy uninterrupted talking and companionable silence. The birds chattered to us and the river added its rushing happiness. I just hoped Damon wasn’t watching Hot Redhead’s perfect backside in those miniscule shorts.

  We made it to the parking lot and were milling around stretching and sharing funny running stories when Hot Redhead unleashed her claws.

  “So, have any of you ever urinated on yourself during a run?”

  One of the girls shrieked, “Ew. Are you serious?”

  Several of the group exchanged glances. Damon looked at Elizabeth like she was a weirdo. I liked that, but knowing what was coming had my gut twirling. I pulled my foot behind me for a quad stretch and studied the leaves of a towering cottonwood tree.

  “I haven’t.” Hot Redhead tossed her long hair. “But I know Cassidy urinated down her leg during Hyde Park’s 10K and I just wondered if anyone else could claim such an honor. How did it feel, Cassidy?”

  I held myself back from tackling her and peeing in her face. See how she’d like that. “You know it was kind of warm, a bit sticky. Just the usual urine.” I bent into a hamstring stretch and avoided looking at anyone.

  Silence scratched through the park for a second before a loud chuckle broke the most awkward moment of my life. Another laugh joined it milliseconds later. When Damon’s throaty laughter complimented the other two, I allowed myself to stand up and face everyone. Joe and Trevor were exchanging looks with Damon and all of them laughed uproariously.

  Hot Redhead faked a laugh. “Pretty funny, huh? Cassidy has bladder issues.”

  I didn’t see anything funny about it.

  Trevor walked over and clapped me on the back like a football buddy. “Cassie. I have to say you are the rockingest girl I’ve ever known. What kind of a girl runs so hard she passes out and then races so hard she pees on herself? That is tough.” He winked at Damon. “If my buddy ever gets tired of dating you. I’m in line.”

  Joe nodded. “I’ll fight you for position, Trev.”

  Trevor and Joe walked off to Joe’s truck laughing and talking.

  Damon smiled at me. “Trevor’s right. You’re the toughest runner, girl or boy, I’ve ever met.”

  I gave him a shy smile. “You don’t think I’m disgusting?”

  “No. I’ve heard it happens. Never personally experienced it, but you know . . .”

  I smacked his arm. “I know. You’re perfect.”

  The rest of the group dispersed, muttering quick goodbyes. A tall blonde named Jocelyn walked up to us. “It happened to me last year during the Park City Marathon. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  I gave her a smile. “Thanks. It’s not something I usually brag about.”

  Jocelyn laughed and gave Hot Redhead a scathing look. “I don’t believe you brought it up.”

  All of us turned to Elizabeth. She planted her hands on her hips. “I didn’t do it to be mean.”

  “Uh-huh,” I said.

  Elizabeth whirled and stomped away. I could hear her muttering to herself all the way to her car.

  Damon turned to me. “I’d better get you home. I want to make sure you’ve showered before our date tonight.”

  * * *

  Nathan and Sham ducked into a crowded shack at the market. Wind chimes and colorful wraps floated around them. Nathan grabbed his friend and held tight, partially for support, mostly because of his gratitude. After Sham had rescued Nathan yesterday afternoon he’d hidden him at a friend’s house and watched over him throughout the night. This morning Nathan had awoken with a tremendous headache and
a determination to get to America.

  “Once again you save my life,” he said to Sham as they threaded through the overcrowded tables. “Where would I be without you?”

  Sham’s handsome ebony face split into a grin revealing straight, white teeth. “Dead. Over and over again.”

  “Thank you, my friend.”

  Sham directed Nathan towards the back of the shop where a connected run-down building boasted a friend’s living quarters.

  Nathan grabbed at his head as they started moving again, hoping the headache would settle soon.

  Sham glanced at him and ground his teeth. “I should have killed those men,” he said.

  Nathan shook his head. “There wasn’t time. Besides, you know more will come. Always more.”

  Sham grabbed a brightly-colored scarf off one of the tables and tossed it to Nathan. “Wrap that around your head. We’ll get you some clothes and find a spot to hide out until tonight. Then we will go back to the village.”

  “No," Nathan said. "I'm done hiding. Ramirez and Panetti have discovered I’m alive. They've threatened my daughter. I’m going to America.”

  Sham stopped next to the shack’s door and stared. “America? What’s that going to accomplish, besides you dead for good?”

  “I have contacts in the FBI. People I trust. They would love to bring Ramirez and Panetti down. It’s got to be those two.”

  Sham pushed the swinging door aside and ushered Nathan to a chair. “You’ve freed many. It could be another slaver.”

  Nathan shook his head, gratefully sinking into the wooden seat. “No one else would’ve made this connection. No one else has the resources to hire killers like those two.” He exhaled slowly. “I’ll be the bait to bring Ramirez, and hopefully Panetti, down. My life would be well worth it if I could stop them.”

  “No.” Sham’s skin stretched taut across his broad cheekbones. He grabbed onto Nathan’s forearms and begged him with his gaze. “Please, my friend.”

  Nathan studied a worktable overflowing with wooden flutes and toy drums. “I have to do this. I can’t risk them killing my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, or grandson. Did I tell you? I’m going to be a grandfather again soon.”

  “Congratulations.” Sham’s tone was flat. The sparkle had left his eyes. “It seems you are decided. I will come with you to America.”

  Standing, Nathan wrapped his arms around his large friend. “Someday soon I will take you to America, but not this trip. You protect the children here and I’ll protect mine at home.”

  Sham’s bright eyes conveyed his frustration but finally he nodded. “Let’s gather what you need. I will pray for you until you return safely.”

  Nathan forced a grin, squeezing Sham’s broad forearm. “I am protected already.”

  Week Nine

  I signed the credit card bill and shoved it into the plastic holder. “Fifteen dollars for a meal at Café Sabor?"

  Tasha chuckled. “You’ve never gotten a real meal before. Costs a bit more than a salad. How was the pasta?”

  “Wonderful. You should try it.” I glanced discreetly around the restaurant. Nana had gotten word that my dad survived Muscle Man’s latest attack and was on his way, which meant Muscle Man was also en route. I couldn’t let him catch me unaware.

  “Yeah, right,” Tasha said. “When I start running marathons maybe.”

  “Man, I love this carb-loading stuff.”

  “I’m jealous.” Tasha sighed and shoved away her plate of salad. “But I won’t be jealous in the morning when I’m sleeping and you’re running twenty miles. Speaking of running, I’ve got to sprint to the bathroom, I’ll meet you up front. You still want to go to Cold Stone, right?”

  I smiled. “I’m not sure if ice cream works for carb-loading, but might as well try it out.”

  “Oh, good, I was afraid you’d get all nutrition religious on me and refuse ice cream.”

  I placed my hand on my heart. “I would never betray my ice cream addiction.”

  “That’s why I love you.” Tasha grabbed her purse and scurried off.

  I walked through the restaurant and out into the warm summer night. There were small gatherings of people waiting outside for a table to open up. None of them looked like the two I feared, but I had to check. I also constantly searched for my dad. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

  A young family waited in the balmy summer night air. The mother chased the two-year old while the father swung the baby seat like it was a carnival ride. A group of elderly couples returned my smile. There was a tall, attractive man standing off by himself. My eyes brushed by him and returned quickly. Damon?

  What was he doing here without me? I crossed the distance between us. He looked amazing in a dusky button-down shirt and khakis.

  “Hey, hey hey,” I said. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  Damon turned to me. His eyes widened. He offered me a smile, but it didn’t carry the usual dazzling power. “Cassie. I should’ve known . . .” His voice trailed off. His smile tried to grow. “You look fabulous, as always.”

  I did a little twirl. “I guess the running really is working. I bought new clothes to show off.” Was I making him uncomfortable or was it just the fact that I’d caught him at Café Sabor without me. “Who are you here with?”

  He shifted his weight from one foot to another and looked over my shoulder. “A friend.”

  “Sweet.” He was here with a buddy. Thank heavens. “Maybe your friend and my friend could hook up. We could all go to Cold Sto . . .” Words failed me. Hot Redhead strutted around me and sidled into Damon’s side, looking for all the world like she belonged there. I think I needed to be sick.

  “Sorry,” she said, gazing up at Damon with adoration. “Didn’t mean to leave you alone so long.”

  Damon gave her an uneasy half-chuckle, his gaze still fixed on me. Elizabeth slowly followed his eyes. “Hello.”

  “I, um," I stuttered, "this is a bit awkward.”

  Elizabeth smirked at me and looped her arm through Damon’s. Her French manicure trailed across his forearm. “Only for you.”

  Damon’s gaze swiveled to her. He seemed surprised that she dared touch him. Or maybe I was dreaming up meanings to make myself feel better. At least Damon had the good sense to step away and gently remove her fingers from his skin. Smart thing too, I was about to utilize the tackles I learned watching college football with my dad.

  “Would you excuse us for a minute, Elizabeth?” Damon asked.

  Her perfect pout deepened, she reached for his arm again. “If I have to.”

  Damon extracted himself from her. “I’ll meet you inside.”

  Elizabeth smiled at him. “Don’t be long.” She slithered away, giving him one more sultry look before sliding through the restaurant doors.

  I fought it, but couldn’t stop the grimace that distorted my face. “Nice friend.”

  Damon reached for my elbow. I shook him off and stomped down the sidewalk.

  As soon as I was far enough away that none of the spectators could hear my rampage, I let loose. “How could you? I mean. You can date anyone you want, but . . .” I gestured at the wooden door that Elizabeth had disappeared through. “Hot Redhead? The crazy woman? You’ve seen the way she acts around me. You do realize she has some psychotic obsession with you? Are you completely dense?”

  “Cassie.” He reached for my arm and put such sensation into the speaking of my name I almost folded.

  Jerking away from his warm touch, I snacked on the inside of my lip to keep under control. I wasn’t going to cry, that was for wussy chicks, but I couldn’t deny the risk of turning into one of them was huge.

  “Cassie,” he tried again, this time without the touch, “Elizabeth called and asked me to dinner. She’s been begging me to help her for weeks. I knew we were going out tomorrow night so I didn’t think you’d mind. All Elizabeth wants are some training tips. She’s a nice girl.”

  I just stared at him. He was an idiot. Did I really like this guy
? I studied those dark blue eyes and thought about how much I’d enjoyed being around him. His good qualities almost overpowered his stupidity.

  “Cassie, it’s not like you and I are dating exclusively.”

  That did it. The tears I had been fighting for the past twenty-three seconds squeaked over my bottom lids and rolled traitorously down my cheeks. Was I really this upset or just prideful? I brushed at the right side angrily. Damon reached up and gently lifted the drop off the left side of my face. “I guess you were under the impression we are dating exclusively?”

  I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around my stomach. “Whatever.” For weeks I’d been trying to banish Jesse from my mind and remain faithful to Damon, but did he care? No. He had the nerve to take out Hot Redhead. “I’m on a date myself.”

  Tasha ran down the sidewalk screaming, “Cassie, are you okay? I overheard this redhead telling the hostess to get a table for two under Damon’s name. No. You wouldn’t . . .” Her voice trailed off as she noticed my stance, my red eyes, and Damon’s confused face.

  “Here’s my date now,” I announced. “You ready to go, sweetheart?”

  Damon ignored Tasha. He crossed the distance between us, wrapped his arm around me, and whispered harshly in my ear, “I had no idea, Cassie. I thought you were just playing with me. Just having fun. You never said you wanted to be a couple.”

  “I shouldn’t have to say it,” I muttered. I’d kissed this jerk. Multiple times.

  Damon’s lips caressed my earlobe. “You should’ve told me. I couldn’t have imagined that someone like you would feel like this for me. If I had known . . .”

  He left that hanging there. How could he not have known? And how could he not think he was worthy of me? Definitely a line to get himself out of trouble. I pulled from his grip, two more fat tears creeping onto my skin. Dang, my emotions. “Yeah, well you should’ve known. But too bad for you,” I said. “Now you’ve driven me to the other side.” I grabbed at Tasha’s arm but instead of her skinny forearm I connected with broad muscle.

  I looked up and sighed, “Jesse.”