Page 6 of Till Death Do Us Part

She had long, brown curls that fell just past her shoulders, big blue eyes that looked at me with wonderment even in the midst of everything.

“You… saved my life,” she said.

I dusted my shoulder. “And not a moment too soon. Elaine?”

She swallowed, looking between me and the cat that was needling its little claws into her chest while she picked the mats out of its fur. “That’s… that’s right. What’s happening?”

“Do you know Robert Gabor?”

Mutely, she shook her head.

“Then I won’t offer condolences. Your mother’s uncle. He passed a week ago and left an inheritance to you.”

“An inheritance?” She shook her head, wide-eyed. “That can’t be right. I never knew him.”

“That’s probably why. He wanted it to disappear for a while. But they found you sooner than expected.”

“I don’t… understand.”

“There’s no time to explain now. Get in the car. There’s a safehouse I know nearby.”

“A safehouse? Who are you?”

I smirked. “I’m a problem. But right now I’m someone else’s problem.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

“My name’s Vera. I’m here to keep you safe. Get in the car. Leave the cat.”

“I’m not leaving the cat.” She held it closer to her chest. “It’s hurt.”

“The assassins planted it there to distract you, Elaine.”

“What?”

I sighed. “Fine. Bring the cat. Just get in the car. We don’t have time to argue.”

She stepped towards the car, but she hesitated there. “Vera… how do I know I can trust you?”

“You don’t.” I climbed in the car. “So decide how you want to take your chances. I think the guy in the dumpster is going to climb back out soon.”

She hesitated a long time, but finally, she opened the passenger door, and she sat next to me.

“All right,” she said quietly. “Just… promise me you’ll explain.”

I shut the door, locking them. “I’ll explain everything. Now buckle in, before—”

A gunshot rang, an ear-ringing sound as it plinked off the side of the car. Elaine screamed, jumping and ducking her head, and I threw the car into reverse, slamming the gas.

“Before that!” I shouted, and Elaine screamed something as she buckled her seatbelt, but I tore out of the lot and hit the road as I heard another pair of engines revving after us.

Pursuit.

Chapter 3

elaine

I clutched the kitten close to my chest while Vera gripped the wheel white-knuckled with both hands, the speedometer pushing eye-popping numbers as the acceleration pressed me back into the seat. I saw the two cars in the rear-view mirror, streaking in from two different directions and matching us on the road.