Page 38 of Two Favors Repaid

“Come on, slowpoke you’re not going to train dressed like that.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “That dress just makes me want to take it off.”

#

Rob

Emma’s curves made it hard to concentrate. She was dressed much like she had been the last time they’d trained together, but now that he knew what lay under her clothes, he was having trouble keeping his thoughts straight and his hands to himself.

He tensed his stomach muscles just in time to deflect a punch to the gut. They’d practiced the same few moves again and again, and each time she became more technically proficient and more confident.

“Looks like I’ve found my mojo,” she said. They circled each other while she looked for another chance to land a blow.

“Will you ever tell me what the third thing was?”

“The third thing?” she asked, uncomprehendingly.

“On your plan.”

“I’ll give you a hint … We’ve already done it.”

His eyes went wide and all blood flew south. She brought her face closer to his.

“And I’d like to do it again,” she said.

Something in his pocket buzzed. Distracted, he looked down at the exact moment Emma stomped on his foot.

“Damn!” he said, hopping from one foot to another. The pain made his eyes water.

Emma laughed, her eyes shining with happiness. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I thought you’d see it coming!”

“That was a good move,” he acknowledged. He looked into Emma’s eyes and almost forgot the phone still buzzing in his pocket. Then he realized Susan might need something and quickly sobered up.

“Hope,” he said into the phone, still smiling at Emma.

The smile froze on his face when he heard Lorraine’s voice on the other end, uncharacteristically sharp and out of breath, as if she were running hard.

“Ford escaped from prison sometime during the night,” the FBI agent said without preamble.

Rob went very still.

“How did this happen?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. James and I are flying back now.”

Emma had stopped her moves and was now staring at him. He hated the cautious, frozen expression on her face. Just hearing his side of the conversation, she already knew it was bad news.

“They found a postcard inside one of Ford’s books. It’s a photograph of a Mexican town. They think he might be headed there.”

“He’s not headed to fucking Mexico, Lorraine. You and I both know that.”

“Unfortunately, I agree with you, Rob.”

“You think he’s headed our way.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Lorraine said. It sounded like she’d stopped running. “Listen, we’re on the plane. I need to hang up. I’ll call you as soon as we’ve spoken to the warden.”

“Thanks for the heads up, Lorraine.”

Emma’s features had become drawn, and she looked pale.