Long Road Home(32)

Jules went pale. Her eyes flickered, and she shuddered uncontrollably. He frowned, wondering what private hell she was enduring now.

“That’s it,” she whispered.

“What’s it?”

“A tracking device. I’m so f**king stupid. God.” She spun around and stalked back to the car, shaking her head the entire way. He followed her, perplexed by her bizarre behavior.

She wrenched open her door and began to dig furiously in her bag. With a muttered curse, she threw the bag onto the seat. She turned back to him. “Do you have a knife?”

“What? No knife in that arsenal?”

“This isn’t the time for your attitude,” she snarled. “Do you or do you not have a knife?”

He reached down and rolled up the cuff of his pants. Secured beside his spare pistol was a pocket knife. He pulled it out and handed it to her.

She shoved it back at him. “You’re going to have to do it. I can’t reach.”

“What are you talking about?” He ignored the outstretched knife.

She shoved down the collar of her shirt.

“Nice tattoo,” he remarked, noting the small serpent on her shoulder blade.

She flipped the knife at him, forcing him to catch it. “You’re going to have to cut it open.”

“You want me to do what? Are you insane? I’m sure there are safer ways of getting rid of a tattoo.”

“Not the tattoo,” she said through gritted teeth. “The tracking device implanted in the tattoo.”

Chapter Fourteen

Jules watched the disbelief spread across Manny’s face. She sighed. He was going to want a long, drawn-out explanation, and the truth of the matter was, she didn’t have one. But she knew without a doubt, the haunting memories she’d been experiencing had everything to do with the way they were being found out at every turn.

“You want me to slice open your shoulder? Are you nuts?”

“That point’s debatable,” she replied. “But yes, you’re going to have to dig out the tracking device unless you want the bad guys to keep turning up everywhere we go.”

“You’re crazy. No way I’m cutting you open with a damn pocket knife.”

“Don’t be a wuss, Manny. I’ve suffered a lot worse. You know it’s the only option we have, so just get it over with.”

“I am not slicing you open in a public parking lot,” he growled.

“Then let’s find a place you will. And quickly, if you don’t mind. I’d rather not deal with more attempts on my life today.”

He looked horrified by the notion, but she also saw the realization in his eyes that she was right. Still, his distaste was evident.

“Get in,” he said shortly. Then he strode around to the driver’s side.

Jules slid into the seat and looked over at him. “Should we find another hotel? We’ll have to make it quick if we don’t want to be ambushed.”

“No. I don’t want to box us in. We’ll find an open area. God, I hope you’re right, Jules. I don’t want to be cutting you up for nothing.”

“I’m right.” She knew it without a doubt. She could still feel the searing pain of the knife as it sliced her back open. The fingers parting her flesh. They had planted the device then given her the tattoo to cover the scar. The bastards had always known where she was. She never had a chance. Mom and Pop never had a chance.

So as it turned out, she had in fact killed them with her carelessness.

“Why did you only now realize you were being tracked?” he asked.

She closed her eyes. She knew how damning it looked. Someone wasn’t likely to forget they had a piece of metal in their back. She’d effectively blocked the events of that day from her mind until it had been time to tell Manny what had happened. “I don’t expect you to believe that I didn’t know until now. The important thing is for us to get rid of the device.”

His lips thinned but he remained silent. She could see a slight tic in his jaw, though. He was angry. He had reason. She couldn’t fault him for that.

He drove through the crowded streets, and she kept careful watch for suspicious activity around them. After several city blocks, the buildings gave way to a large, grassy park. She nodded approvingly. The area was wide open. No one would be able to sneak up on them.

After parking in a place easily departed from, he switched off the engine and turned to her. “Can we do this in the car? I’d rather not chance you attracting attention with any hollering.”

She stared steadily at him. “I’d prefer to do it outside.”

He studied her for a moment then apparently decided she could handle it. Wordlessly, he opened the door and got out, taking the pocket knife with him. She opened her door and stepped out, her stomach lurching at what was to come. But she wouldn’t let him see her fear. She’d braved worse. She wasn’t going to make an ass of herself in front of him.

Manuel watched as she slowly stood up and shut her car door. She shrugged out of her jacket and threw it over the hood. “Where should I stand?”

He glanced around their surroundings. This was absurd. He couldn’t cut open her shoulder in broad daylight in a public park. Discounting the fact that he had no desire to hurt her, if they drew attention again, it was going to be damn difficult to extricate themselves.