I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(46)

“Excuse me,” she whispered, grabbing her purse and walking away from the table.

“Riley? Wait!” Miles sounded pissed, but she kept walking. She heard him say, “Sorry about this, I’ll be right back.”

Lucy was tempted to run, but forced herself to walk elegantly out of the food court and towards the escalators. That’s what Riley would do.

Miles captured her elbow before she made it.

“What the hell is your problem?” He leaned into her ear, whispering fiercely. His grip was tight and cutting. She tried to wiggle her arm free, but he held fast.

“I have to go.”

“Not before you meet my dad’s friend. He’s an important business associate. You can’t be rude to him like that.”

“Look I don’t care who he is. I want to go. I’ve got a headache and I don’t feel like meeting some old fuddy-duddy businessman.”

“Bullshit you’ve got a headache. Now come back and meet him.”

“No.” Lucy heard the tremor in her voice and hated it. She couldn’t afford to give herself away. She peeked over Miles’ shoulder and saw the man slowly approaching them. Her insides buckled, her heart rate accelerating so fast she thought she might pass out. What if he recognized her suddenly? They’d met once before and she wasn’t in disguise either time. Would he remember Sorrento’s?

She stole one more peek and the way his eyes were narrowing made her think he did.

Shit. Shit! She had to get out of there.

“I’m sorry to be rude, but you’ll just have to apologize on my behalf. I’ll meet him another time.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll meet him now.” Miles’ jaw was clenched tightly, his anger matching the grip he had on her arm. She winced as he tried to yank her back, unable to hold back a small cry of pain.

And then it happened.

Something she never expected.

Something she never would have asked for.

She caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and felt a figure charge past her, crashing into Miles with unbidden rage.

At first Lucy was frozen, until she saw Marlin raise his first and pummel it into Miles’ face. Miles swung back, catching Marlin in the jaw. As he rolled over his grey eyes caught Lucy’s bulging stare. His look told her to get the hell out of there. She couldn’t leave him. How could she run when the guy who killed her parents was now hustling through the crowd towards him? He’d take Marlin for sure.

“Help! Help! Police!” Someone in the crowd started yelling.

The tall, pale-eyed guy was nearly at them now, his gaze locked onto her face, his eyes flashing with something she feared.

Recognition.

She didn’t know how or why he’d been able to recall Sorrentos, but it was enough to make her stumble back. His look was murderous and felt like a blow to the stomach.

She tore her eyes away from him and looked back to Marlin, wanting to step in and rescue him, but she couldn’t even yell the word, “Stop.” She was locked in a silent storm of panic and it wasn’t until she was bumped by mall security that her brain found the ability to function.

The second her parents’ killer looked from her to the boys tussling on the floor, her legs took off. She rushed down the escalator, bolting across the mall to the exit. She wasn’t sure if the guy had noticed her, she was too afraid to turn back and look. As soon as she hit the open air, she fled down the street, back towards their place. Shorty would be waiting there. He’d have to help. He’d figure out a way to get Marlin free.

Marlin.

Agony rounded over her like a crashing wave. She slowed her frantic pace and doubled over, wondering if she’d ever be able to breathe again.

Marlin.

What would that man do to him?

Would he shoot out his kneecaps? Would he watch Lucy’s only friend writhe on the floor as he tortured him for information?

The images came in rolling waves, each more sickening than the next. Panicked breaths shot through Lucy’s system as she scrambled across the road.

Shorty would get him out. He had to.

Lucy couldn’t cope without Marlin. She needed him.

Tears threatened to devour her as she puffed her way up the next hill, the sickening knowledge that she’d already lost him making her want to crumble into a heap.





Chapter 22





ZACH


May 2014





We found a few teenagers loitering near George Washington High, but none of them recognized Dani’s picture.

“Maybe she didn’t go there.”

“Maybe.” Uncle Alex shrugged, pulling me into a nearby diner. “We need a break. You look ready to pummel something.”

I slumped into the booth with a heavy sigh and rested my head in my hands. “I don’t want to believe it, but I know it’s true. It’s so obviously true.” I wrenched the picture from my pocket. It was getting tatty having been handed around so much. Seeing Dani’s sad face looking out into the distance made my heart crumple. How could she be this girl?

It felt like she was real around me, totally genuine, but maybe it was all an act. The idea made me sick, my stomach coiling into a tight knot.

“What can I get you guys today?” A pretty Latino girl stopped at our booth, a pad in her hand.