Part 14 (2/2)

The sound of footsteps in the hall made her move away from the window. By the time Jeff knocked on the door, she was sitting on the bed, checking the suitcase for the last time.

”Come in,” she called.

He opened the door. ”You almost ready?” he asked, stepping into the room.

”Yes.” She zipped the case shut.

He closed the door behind him and approached the bed. He, too, had dressed for their escape, although instead of dark clothes, he wore the camouflage uniform she'd first seen him in. His short blond hair gleamed in the overhead light. Blue eyes met her own. She studied his face, memorizing individual features so that years from now she would be able to recall what he looked like.

”I appreciate everything you've done,” she said as he sat on the other side of the suitcase.

”Save your thanks until you're off the island,” he said, then handed her a pistol. ”I want you to take this.”

She stared at the handgun. Except for when Kray had shot that man, and the one Jeff had pulled on them when they'd first run into him in the jungle, she'd never seen a pistol close up.

”No.” She shook her head. ”I can't.”

”You won't. There's a difference.”

He grabbed her hand and forced her to take the gun. It was heavier than it looked. Instinctively her fingers closed around the steel. ”Do you expect me to shoot someone?”

”If you have to.”

She glanced up at him. He was serious. ”That's ridiculous. I've never fired a gun in my life. I don't know how to use it and I don't want to know.”

He took the gun back from her. ”It's simple to use. Here's the safety.” He flicked a small lever on the left side of the gun, just above the grips. ”If you don't release the safety the gun won't fire. This b.u.t.ton here drops the magazine.” He pushed the b.u.t.ton. The clip fell out onto the suitcase. ”It holds fourteen rounds. Pop it in like this.” He pushed it back in place, then handed her the gun. ”Now you do it.”

”I can't,” she said. ”This is too scary. I don't want a gun.”

He leaned close and took her face in his hand. His expression was hard, his eyes glinted like ice. ”Kray wants you dead. I'm going to do my d.a.m.nedest to get you off this island, but I need your cooperation. If something happens, you may need to protect yourself and Bobby. If you don't care about yourself, at least think of the boy.”

Her son. She would do anything for her son. Slowly she took the pistol,then wrapped her fingers around the handle. She pushed the b.u.t.ton and the clip dropped onto her lap. She replaced it.

He showed her how to work the action,then explained which position activated the safety. When she understood everything, he handed her a second clip of ammunition.

”Just in case,” he said.

”I feel like you expect me to take out an entire regiment.”

He smiled. ”It won't come to that. Stand up.” She did. He rose also and pulled the hem of her s.h.i.+rt out of her jeans. ”You're going to have to sacrifice fas.h.i.+on for safety. This is the best place to keep your pistol.” He moved behind her and raised her s.h.i.+rt, then slid the gun into the waistband of her jeans, against the small of her back.

The pistol was cold and hard against her skin. He dropped the s.h.i.+rt back in place. ”No one can see it,” he said. ”You've got easy access to it. Keep the spare clip in your front pocket.”

She did as he asked, then looked up at him. The handsome man who'd listened while she'd confessed her secrets last night was gone. The pa.s.sionate stranger who'd kissed her, the friendly guy who'd played ball with Bobby, all those men disappeared. In their place stood a warrior. Emotionless, unafraid, determined.

”What else do I need to do?” she asked.

”When you dock inMiami, leave the gun and the extra magazine on the boat. Take a cab to this street.” He handed her a small piece of paper. ”There are about two dozen small hotels and motels stretched for a mile. Pick one and register under a false name. Don't use Smith or Jones, though. It's too obvious.”

She frowned. ”You want me to stay inMiami? Isn't that going to be the first place he'll look for me?”

”Yes. But he won't know when you're arriving and he'll check the large hotels first. He can't be everywhere. It's just for one night. You leaveMiamion Sat.u.r.day.”

”Why?”

”The cruise s.h.i.+ps dock then and the airport is jammed. Take any flight going to a major city. Change planes. About three flights should be enough. Wait about four days, thendo it again, but this time go to smaller cities.”

The pistol poked into her back. Her heart was beating quickly and they hadn't even left her bedroom. It was overwhelming. ”I don't know if I can do this,” she said. She regretted the confession as soon as she'd made it and waited for Jeff to make some snide remark.

Instead, he placed his hands on her shoulders. ”I know,” he said. ”Worry about one step at a time. Don't think about too much at once, or you'll go crazy.”

His voice was gentle and encouraging. She wanted to throw herself against him and cling forever. Instead, she forced herself to smile and step back. ”Good advice.”

”One more thing,” he said, reaching in his front pocket. ”You'll need this.” He pulled out a wad of bills.

”I can't take your money.”

”You're going to need it to stay away from Kray. Hiding is expensive. Believe me, I know.”

She shook her head. ”I don't need it. I got a large settlement when Kray and I divorced. I've never been one to spend lavishly, so Bobby and I have been living off the interest. I've got cash stashed in safety-deposit boxes all over the country. We'll be fine.”

He thrust the bills at her. ”Just in case. You can pay me back later.”

He waited. Finally she took the money. The bills were all hundreds and fifties. There had to be at least five thousand dollars there. ”How am I supposed to pay you back? I don't even know your last name.”

He smiled. ”I'll find you.”

She hoped he would, when this was all over. Maybe they could have a second chance. ”I wish we'd met under other circ.u.mstances,” she said, then cleared her throat and stuffed the money in her jeans pocket, the one without the extra ammunition clip. ”That is, I wish I was someone else so you wouldn't-” That wasn't right, either. ”What I'm trying to say is-”

”Hush,” he said, then touched her face. The brush of his fingers against her cheek was gentle. ”I know what you're saying, Andie.”

His blue eyes were dark and unreadable. She wanted to see a flame of desire flickering there. She hoped he would kiss her, but in the end, all he did was tap the brim of her baseball cap and step away.

That was it then. This was goodbye. No mention of missing her, or the fact that he didn't really mind who her ex-husband was. Nothing about forgiving or liking her. Jeff would get them off the island,then go back to his men and his mission. It made sense, she told herself. She didn't really matter to him not like he mattered to her.

She pushed away the ”ifonlys ” and forced herself to concentrate on the moment. A quick glance at her watch told her time was slipping away from them.

”We have to leave,” Jeff said, confirming her thoughts. She picked up her purse and slipped it over her head so it hung across her chest. She wanted her arms free. Jeff grabbed the suitcase and walked to the door.

”Wait,” she called.

He paused,then turned toward her. He raised his eyebrows expectantly.

”If anything happens to me, you've given your word to look after Bobby.”

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