Part 223 (1/2)

know and love.” Her lips curved automatically. ”That's a good girl. Now

don't forget to mention the benefit to any reporters,” he instructed as

they walked downstairs. ”Make sure you tell them how committed I am to

raising money to research a cure for this horrible disease.”

”I will, Drew. I won't forget.” She was terrified her knees would

buckle. Maybe it was best if she didn't go. Drew had told her again

and again how helpless she was without him. ”Drew, I-” But he was

opening the door, and Johnno was standing there.

”h.e.l.lo, baby.” He put his arms around her, as much to comfort as for

comfort. ”I'm so glad you're going.”

”Yes.” She looked dully over his shoulder at Drew's face. ”I want to

go.”

She fought demons during the flight. He was going to come after

her. He had found out she'd taken the fifteen dollars and would come to

punish her. He'd read her mind. He knew she wasn't going back.

So great was her fear that she clung to Johnno's arm as they deplaned

and searched the crowd at the gate for Drew. She was sweating by the

time they reached the limo, and shaking, and struggling just to breathe.

”Emma, are you sick?”

”No.” She moistened her dry lips. There was a man by the curb, lean,

blond. What was left of her color drained. But he turned and it wasn't

Drew. ”I'm just upset. Can lan I have a cigarette?”

Drew wouldn't let her smoke. He'd dislocated her finger the last time

he'd caught her. But he wasn't here now, she reminded herself as she

pulled on the cigarette. She was alone in the limo with Johnno.

”Maybe you shouldn't have come. I had no idea it would upset you this