Whispers in the Dark (KGI #4)(31)

Shea held her breath again until black dots swam in her vision and her chest burned. As the sounds of them hurrying away reached her ears, she slowly let out her breath and then slumped against the tree in relief.

Wait it out. It could be a trap. Nathan’s soft warning slipped into her mind. Just stay there a few minutes. Listen for any sounds. When you crawl out, head the opposite direction they went. Then turn west to the ocean again. Be careful, Shea.

She stayed there like he directed, because she was afraid to move. She was terrified that if she left the safety of her hiding place, they’d be waiting for her. She closed her eyes, wanting, needing the rest. Holding Nathan to her was exhausting.

Get moving, Shea.

She jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion into her mind. She hadn’t realized she’d kept him so tightly bound to her. She’d thought he was slipping away, but he was there, as strong as ever, as if he were the one holding the connection and not her.

Come on, I need you moving. We need to get you someplace you’re safe and well protected.

She pushed herself from the interior of the tree, desperately trying to ignore the exhaustion creeping through her veins. Holding her breath, she slipped from the confines of her hiding place and glanced frantically in all directions for her pursuers.

Not seeing or hearing them, she turned and hurried in the opposite direction.

Impressions from Nathan confused her. He was thinking about a jet and flight plans, how his family was going to worry and think he’d finally, truly gone over the edge. But the overriding thought that bombarded her on every level was his determination to get to her. To protect her.

That gave her the strength to forge ahead.

After thirty minutes of keeping up an exhausting pace, she came to an abrupt halt. She strained to hear. Faint but it was there. The sound of the ocean. And then a vehicle, louder and closer.

Nathan, I’m close to the highway or at least a roadway. And the ocean. I can hear it.

Okay, I don’t want you on the highway. I don’t want you visible. You can parallel it and follow it into a town. You need to be in a place where they wouldn’t have such an easy time coming after you. But you also have to stay low.

She didn’t offer that she had no money, no identification. Nothing. Everything she had was in her pursuers’ hands. Anxiety ate at her. She worried for Grace. Worried that she would be unable to maintain the block that would prevent Grace from sensing the danger that Shea was in. If Grace knew, if she even suspected, she’d swoop in like an avenging angel and then they’d have her. Shea wouldn’t allow it.

She topped a slight rise and there was the highway, curving around the edge of the ocean. She picked up her pace, careful to remain beyond the cover of the trees as she followed the highway north.

Traffic increased the farther north she walked. She was beyond exhaustion and had no recollection of the miles she’d already traveled. She concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and remaining upright.

Then in the distance she saw a road sign and her breathing sped up. Finally she would be able to tell where she was. Something to tell Nathan. He could come for her.

Her pulse rocketed and she broke into a near run, her focus on being able to read that sign.

She nearly tripped over a fallen log and stumbled to regain her footing. Finally she was close enough to see the sign.

Crescent City city limits.

Crescent City, she said to Nathan. I’m in Crescent City, California.

Already on my way, baby. Find a place, lie low. I’ll be there as fast as I can.

CHAPTER 14

“WE’VE got a serious problem,” Sam said.

The Kelly family was gathered in the living room of Marlene and Frank’s home. Marlene wrung her hands repeatedly despite Frank trying his best to calm her.

Ethan sat between Rachel and Sophie while Sarah stood across the room next to Garrett. Donovan and Joe were positioned by the fireplace, arms crossed over their chests, and Swanny stood alone, bewilderment and worry etched into his tired features.

Marlene had tried to foist baby Charlotte onto Rusty so the teenager would be removed from the conversation, but Rusty had flatly refused to leave the room. She was upset and thought that her inviting Nathan to her graduation had prompted his meltdown.

They all looked to Sam for information, but he wasn’t sure they were prepared for this.

“Nathan took off in one of the Kelly jets an hour ago.”

Not surprisingly, the entire room erupted in chaos. Donovan put two fingers to his mouth and emitted a shrill whistle then he held up his arms for quiet.

“What do you mean took off? As in had the pilot fly him somewhere?”

Sam shook his head, knowing Donovan already suspected what Sam was about to say. “No, he flew himself.”

“Christ,” Garrett muttered.

Joe swore. “What the f**k is he thinking?”

“Do we know where he went?” Ethan asked.

Sam ran a hand through his hair. Fuck, but he was tired. “He filed flight plans for Crescent City, California. Is that where he’ll end up? Who knows? Who the hell knows what he’s thinking right now? Anyone have any idea what’s in Crescent City?”

“This is crazy,” Joe said. “I thought…Hell, I don’t know what I thought. One minute he and Van are laughing and horsing around. The next, he’s on a plane to Crescent City? I think it’s time the gloves come off. He obviously needs help beyond whatever self-healing bullshit he’s attempting.”