“You going to bury me next to Mom and Dad?”
Kyle chuckled at the gallows humor.“Not yet.”
It turned out that Kyle had made an arrangement with Warren Hobbs, the neighboring rancher who’d bought their parents’ land.Warren had agreed to let Paul stay in the old bunkhouse by the stables.The historic adobe building had no electricity or modern conveniences, but it was perfect for laying low.
“I considered this place last time,” Kyle admitted as they exited his car.
“Why didn’t you mention it?”
“Too many memories.Also, it’s rustic.”
Paul entered the building, which boasted Spartan quarters.There was a single bunk in the corner, next to a small desk.The bed appeared freshly made.Kyle carried in Paul’s duffel bag, which he’d picked up in Lost Lake.
“You’ll have to go to the new stable house for meals,” Kyle said.“It’s not far.You can shower and do laundry there, when you’re able.”
Paul didn’t mind the accommodations; it was the idea of hiding he objected to.He’d told Vanessa he would wait forever, but the truth was, he didn’t want to.He wanted to live his life.“How long do you expect me to stay?”
“However long it takes.”
“I can’t agree to that.”
“It’s not up for debate.You’re safer here.”
“I don’t care.”
“She’ssafer with you here.”
His stomach clenched with unease.“They won’t go after her.”
“Is that what your new best friend, the assassin, told you?”
Paul narrowed his eyes in irritation.
“Don’t be obtuse, Paul.The problem is Miguel Mendez and you know it.You killed his firstborn son.You caused a rift between him and the only son he has left.He’s not going to stop looking for you.”
“I won’t hide like this forever.”
“I understand that, but right now you don’t have a choice.You can’t be with your girlfriend in Lost Lake.She doesn’t want you to risk your life or hers, so you might as well sit tight and let your goddamned shoulder heal.”
Paul lay down on his back with a low groan.“Where are you going?”
“To a secure location.”
“Not your apartment in Houston?”
“No.”
The self-righteous anger drained from Paul.His brother was in danger because of him.Now they both had to go underground to escape the Mendez family.The FBI hadn’t offered protection because Paul’s testimony was worthless.They had to survive on their own and lay low until it was safe.
Kyle promised to send some provisions before he left.Paul fell into a coma-like sleep and didn’t wake for twelve hours.
He didn’t see his brother again for two months.
Paul adjusted to life on the ranch with relative ease.He watched the men work cattle every day.It was back-breaking labor in sweltering heat, set against the scenic backdrop of the open prairie.He wished he could ride out with them.
He didn’t mind the weather, though there was no air conditioning.He didn’t mind the solitude, or the quiet.He didn’t mind the long afternoons on the bunkhouse porch, sitting in a rocking chair and reading a book like a goddamned old-timer.It was the nights he suffered through.His dreams consisted of marathon swims and slicing bullets.He dreamed of Vanessa, which was a different kind of torture.When he roused, he was covered in sweat, his chest aching with longing.
Two more weeks passed, then four, with no word from Kyle about the Mendez family.No updates about Vanessa.
