Long Road Home(12)

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.”