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THE BEACH WAS LOVELY, the view heaven.
My stock of seashells was out of this world and for the first time in my life, I actually had a good tan. But after three days, I wanted to change things up. This was my make believe vacation. I wanted to do something other than swim in the ocean or sit on the beach all day.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the ocean, but I have to admit I’m starting to miss the mountains and the cool air. I could put on more clothes if I was too cold, but unless I walked around naked I was doomed to sticky, sweat soaked clothes.
Today I didn’t even bother changing out of my bikini. It was too freaking hot to think about anything more covering my body.
Not to mention I was bored out of my mind.
“Can we please go to the nearest town and do something?” I couldn’t keep the begging out of my tone.
“No,” he grumbled not looking up at me.
It was the fifth time I had asked and his answer was still the same.
“You don’t understand. I need another swimsuit, maybe more sunscreen so I don’t end up with skin cancer. Not to mention I need to go somewhere with air conditioning for a little while. I don’t know about you but I need a break from this constant sweating.”
He didn’t bother answering this time.
“Come on, mountain man.” He continued to ignore my pleas, so I stomped my foot and headed toward the door. “Fine! If you don’t want to go, then I am perfectly happy going alone!”
To hell with him.
“Fuck, you’re whiny,” he groaned, striding past me. He moved so soundlessly and quickly, I hadn’t even heard the chair move back. He snatched the keys from the hook before I could get to them. “Throw something on over your suit at least.” Was his parting comment as he walked out the door.
A squeal of joy escaped me as I rushed to find something to put on. We were actually going out. I would get to see someone other than Shade. Not that I minded only seeing Shade. It wasn’t like I was itching to talk to people I didn’t know, but I was I used to being around a variety of people when I worked at the diner. It was odd seeing only Shade every day.
The sound of a horn honking had me tossing a little black dress over my bikini. I slipped on my flip-flops and was out the door, jogging to the truck. The fear of him changing his mind spurred me on faster.
When the town came into view, I sighed in relief then grinned at Shade.
“We’re a lot closer to town here than we were in the mountains.”
It had only taken us twenty minutes to get to the nearest town here. The shack in the mountains took at least one hour to get to the nearest town.
“That’s why I don’t stay here often,” he murmured. “I don’t like being this close.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh come on. No one knows we are here.”
This town was obviously a tourist trap. People milled around the shops that lined each side of the street. Seafood restaurants were everywhere and I made a mental note to talk Shade into taking me to one. It would be nice for me or Shade to not have to cook our dinner for once.
He parked in front of the nearest clothing store and I hurried him inside. They had a few cute bikinis and maxi dresses on display. I couldn’t wait to see what else they had inside.
“Oh, look at this one!” I cooed, pulling a suit off the rack. I held it up in front of Shade. “ What do you think about this one?” It was a one piece, black number that dipped dangerously low in the front. The strips of fabric bared skin in all areas, only covering the essentials.
Shade eyed the garment. “What is it?”
A grin spread across my face. I turned toward the fitting room. “I’ll show you.”
When I walked out, I thought Shade’s eyes were going to fall out of his head. It took all I had not to burst out laughing at his expression. When I turned in a circle for him, I could have sworn I heard him suck in a sharp breath.
“Damn.” Someone swore from across the store giving me unwanted attention.
Shade stepped in front of me shielding me from my many spectators. He glared down at me, putting his hands on my shoulders to turn me.
“Go put some clothes on,” he growled, pushing me toward the room.
Did I detect a hint of jealousy?
“Fine, but I am definitely getting this one,” I called as I pulled the fitting room door behind me.
* * *
SHOP AFTER SHOP, I dragged Shade around. He never seemed impatient or ready to go. He let me look and bought me whatever I wanted without complaint.
“You know, you’re the perfect sugar daddy,” I commented as we headed back toward the truck. “You get me whatever I want and don’t expect any of the sugar part.”
“Well, I am planning on endangering your life,” he pointed out.
“I volunteered.” It was true. I mean, did it matter that he intended to even before I offered to help? “Let’s get a drink?” I nodded toward the bar a few buildings from where we were parked.
He stared at me for a long moment and I was sure he would decline, but he let out a sigh and nodded.
“Just one.”
After shutting our purchases in the truck we headed to the bar. I was a little worried about leaving my things since we acquired the truck by illegal means, we didn’t actually have a key to lock it. We would have to leave them and hope no one stole them.
“I’ll have a jack and coke,” I ordered while Shade had water. “That’s not what I meant when I said we should get a drink.” He just shrugged and scanned the room.
When my drink arrived, I knocked back half before turning to look at Shade.
“Tell me, how did you become a hitman?” I didn’t bother keeping my voice down.
The people surrounding us weren’t listening or were too drunk to understand what I had said. Shade just stared at me for a moment. I knew I had taken him off guard but until this moment I hadn’t thought to ask.
“It’s not an interesting story, darlin’,” he said, taking a drink of his water.
“I still would like to know,” I insisted.
“I had to die.”
I gave him a dubious look. “You look pretty good for a dead man.”
He rolled his eyes. “The person I was before had to die.”
“And who were you before?”
“Zeke Ellis, Sniper for the United States Army.” He said it with a nod like he was introducing himself to me for the first time.
My mind raced with so many questions. I had a hard time deciding which ones to ask first. Not to mention I had lost my voice. This information was unexpected. My brain couldn’t seem to process it.
“Wait,” I said, holding up a hand. “Your name isn’t actually Shade then?”
“Yes, it’s my name.”
“But you just said your name was Zeke Ellis.”
“Zeke Ellis is dead. I am Shade Mason.”
I was so confused.
“Okay. How did you die?” How could someone die but not actually be dead.
“I was the top in my field. The best sniper the army had seen in years and because of that other people sought my set of skills. People who would do anything to get it. To the world, I was killed by an IED, but in reality I made it out with minor injuries. They took me and inducted me into my new life.” He didn’t sound any particular way about this revelation.
I couldn’t understand it.
He’d had a bright future, a real life and they, whoever they were, took that from him because he excelled at what he did. They abducted him. Forced him into being part of their twisted work. It was awful, and I hated it for him.
“Are you still a hitman for them?”
“No.”
“How did you get out?”
“There are only two ways out, death or a small fee. I paid the fee.”
“What’s the fee?”
“Five million dollars give or take.” He shrugged as if it were five dollars.
I choked on my drink. “What? That is not a small fee!”
“It bought me my freedom. I would have paid double to be free.”
“Then why are you still a hitman? Why not find a new career or seek out the family that you had lost?” That would’ve been the first thing I would have done.
“That’s the thing, darlin’. The pay off is easy. Took me ‘round three years to get out plus have enough money to survive. Once I was out, I was technically a dead man. My family thought I was dead. I couldn’t go back to them with everything that I had done. There’s no going back.”
It was the saddest thing I had ever heard. My heart broke for the life he had lost. I just hoped that one day he would be able to get that life back.
“Who contracted you to take down my father?” It was a question I had been wondering about for a while now.
“I’m not being contracted. It’s more of a favor for... an acquaintance.” That sounded vague.
“That’s a pretty big favor for just an acquaintance.”
“He’s the closest thing to a friend a person can have in this world. We met when I was made into hitman. We’ve been in and out of touch ever since. Only contacting each other if we need a hand with a job. He’s known in the sex trade and was having a hard time finding an in with your father’s business. He called in a favor. It was pure luck when your father called me to take out a contract.”
Why would this person want to take down my father? Is it a contract for him or is it personal?
I opened my mouth to ask but Shade leaned into me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. I started to object but the way he felt rigid under my touch kept me from speaking.
Instead, I let him draw me in as I tried to fight back the effect he had on me. We will pretend that my body didn’t give an involuntary shiver when his lips pressed to my ear.
“Take another drink and excuse yourself to the restroom. Wait two minutes, then meet me at the truck.” When he pulled back, he gave me a lopsided, sexy as hell grin. I let out a breathy laugh and grabbed my drink from the bar.
I took a long gulp, then sat the glass back down and grinned up at him.
“I need to visit the ladies room,” I smiled, running a finger along his front. “I’ll be right back.”
When I turned away from him, I schooled my features into a shy smile as I tried to remain calm. My shoulders felt like they were up to my ears. I had to will myself to relax.
By the time I made it to the restroom, my chest was heaving like I had just ran a mile. This would be the longest two minutes of my life. I wanted to know what had spooked Shade. Thoughts of my fathers men swarming the bar to take us down played in my head causing my stomach to knot up.
With a deep breath, I exited the restroom. I didn’t bother glancing toward the bar. I knew Shade wouldn’t be there. I made my way to the door and out onto the sidewalk. The truck was just down the sidewalk but I couldn’t see if Shade was there from here.
My steps quickened and just as I reached the truck someone stepped in front of me.
“Miss Costello,” the man said.
Everything in me screamed to run but I wouldn’t. I was tired of fearing my father’s men. If he thought he was going to take me then he was in for one hell of a fight.
“Stay away from me,” I growled, standing my ground.
“Your father insists you return at once,” the man said. “Your fiance misses you.”
“You can tell my father and Isaac that the only way I’ll be returning is when my body is dead and cold.” They were brave words. Braver than I felt.
Where the hell was Shade?
The man was obviously done talking. He reached out to grab me and I let him. As soon as I was close enough, I kicked him in the shin before head-butting him in the nose, rocking him back. He released me and I struck out again, kicking him in the balls. He let out a screech and fell to his knees, hands going to his crotch. My foot drew back and I kicked him in the face with everything I had. This time blood spurted from his nose and his eyes rolled.
Chest heaving, I looked around but there wasn’t anyone in sight and still no sign of Shade. I started to move around my attempted captor when a hand grabbed me from behind.
I moved to free myself, but a familiar voice spoke.
“Ever.”
I turned to stare up at my mountain man. With all the adrenaline pumping through me, it took me a moment to shake off the instinct to defend myself. When I did, I launched myself at Shade. He caught me in a hug and I squeezed him to me.
“Shade.”
“Come on, darlin’. We gotta go.” He released me and led me toward the truck.
I waited until the town had disappeared behind me before I spoke.
“What happened? How did they find us? Where were you?” So many questions and he didn’t answer a single one.
“We can’t return to the bungalow. Its location may have been compromised. I can’t risk an ambush there,” he muttered more to himself than to me.
“Shade, talk to me,” I pleaded.
“I don’t know how they found us. The only other person who knew about the bungalow is Niko, the acquaintance I told you about.” That name rang a bell, but I couldn’t seem to place where I had heard it before. “There’s no way he would have given us up. It would ruin everything we’re trying to do. We’ll find somewhere to lie low for a while, then head back to the mountains.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled his cell out. Rolling down the window, he tossed the device out.
“Why did you do that?” I asked.
“They could be tracking it from when I contacted Nate.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to defend Nate and say that he wouldn’t betray us like that but it wasn’t true my mouth stayed closed. Nate already had once. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do it again?
“How did you know they were here?” I asked.
“I clocked them as soon as the first one entered the bar. He may have looked like any other patron but only a hitman can recognize another hitman.” His voice was a growl.
I could see the anger boiling up inside him.
“My father sent more hitmen after me?” I choked out.
“At least four. I took down three behind the bar. That’s what took me so long to get back to the truck, to you. Nice work on the other one.” He shot me a grin.
I didn’t have it in me to return it. My hands were still shaking from the confrontation.
“I can’t believe I did that,” I mumbled, gripping my hands in front of me.
Maybe if I gripped them hard enough, the shaking would stop, but it felt like it was climbing up my arms. Soon my whole body would be moving.
Shade cast a wary look in my direction, then took the next exit.
“You did what you had to do. It was him or you.” He drove us toward a nearby parking garage. Once we were inside, he parked in a dimly lit area. We climbed out and I surveyed the lot, looking for our next ride.
Shade walked around the truck and pulled me into his arms, taking me by surprise.
“Are you okay?” he murmured.
The way his voice went soft made my whole body melt into him. It was so gentle and so unexpected. Something deep inside me soothed and I felt at ease.
“I’m so tired of being scared, Shade.” I hadn’t meant to say it out loud but it just fell out of me in a breath.
It weighed heavy on me. I hated it. Having confessed it outloud seemed to lift some of the weight off of me.
“I know, darlin’.” He rubbed my back. “You did good. You did me proud.”
I breathed out a chuckle. “I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry you had to defend yourself. I should have been there.” That he cared enough to worry about me made me happier than it should have.
“You taught me well.” I pulled back to look up at him. “Thank you. Without your training he would have taken me.”
“Not a chance, darlin’. I wouldn’t have let it happen.” I wanted to believe him.
To believe that he was capable of protecting me. I was touched that he cared that much to try but when it came down to it, he was a hitman. A hitman only looked after themselves. I was playing with fire by letting him use me as bait. We would have to see how badly I got burned.
Pulling away, I cleared my throat. I had to shut down the feelings before they got out of hand. Things between us seemed muddled enough. The goal was to take down my father and finally be free. Having feelings for Shade would only complicate things. I didn’t have time for distractions.
“We should get out of here before someone shows up,” I said, reaching a hand up to hold onto my necklace.
“Right,” he said, strolling toward the nearest vehicle.
It was a newer model suburban. It would blend in well enough. Thank God I had bought new clothes while we shopped earlier. Shade was out of luck because I didn’t get a single thing for him.
* * *
WE HAD BEEN ON THE road for a few hours and because of the stress and the late hour, I was out of it. I could use a bed but I knew asking to stop would be useless. Shade would insist we continue driving to whatever destination he had in mind. The fewer stops the better.
My eyes drooped and my head nodded forward. I jerked to attention. Looking around, I found that we were pulling into a hotel parking lot. It wasn’t a rundown motel which was Shade’s usual MO. This one was nice and looked clean like the one we didn’t get to stay in Moab.
“Where are we?” I yawned stretching.
“New Orleans.”
I had always wanted to visit the Voodoo city, but given that I wasn’t really allowed to leave the house the first eighteen years of my life, I never had gotten the chance. Maybe we would stay awhile and I would get the chance to look around.
“Why are we stopping? Is this where we’re going to hideout?”
Not that I was complaining. It just didn’t seem far enough considering we were running again. The last time we went from Utah to Alabama.
“You need some sleep. This is far enough for now.” He shrugged as if it was nothing but it felt like he wasn’t telling me something.
Something my exhausted brain couldn’t seem to wrap around. Maybe I would ask him about it later when I was more alert.
“That’s nice,” I mumbled as I stumbled behind him.
He slowed, wrapping a supportive arm around my shoulder. I appreciated the gesture. I could use the extra support right now. My legs were having the hardest time keeping me up. As I leaned into him, my eyes fluttered closed. I had to fight to get them to reopen.
Shade booked a room quickly, never taking his arm from around me. By the time we reached the elevator my eyes refused to stay open. Shade supported all my weight now and gave up on trying to help me walk. He swept me up into his arms, carrying me to the room.
Once we were inside, Shade lay me on the bed and tugged my shoes off. I curled on my side, hugging a pillow to my chest. I thought I heard Shade say something, but it sounded far off. The darkness was dragging me under again. I didn’t fight it. I was too tired, and I needed sleep.