AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The old man is still sitting in the corner when I get up to leave, and he looks up as I near his table.
“It hurts to see such a pretty little thing looking so sad. How about a smile, you know, make an old man happy?” he rasps out, a wide, almost toothless grin on his face. I bite back the snarky reply itching to break free. I simply smile and keep walking. Just as I pass him, he murmurs, “Running is never the answer.” I stumble at his words but keep walking. I wish that were true, but I don’t have a choice.
If I want to survive then I need to run and never stop.
My walk back to the B&B is much quieter as most of the commuters from earlier are home in their cosy little houses with their lovely families.
Then there’s me. I used to have that but not since I was a kid, before dad died. How many times over the years have I wished to turn back the clock? Quite honestly, I’ve lost count.
Clearly from the old man’s comment my face must be really telling. Guess I better up my game and perfect my poker face.
The following morning, I set out to meet Rick, Tyler’s contact, who’s hopefully going to help me with a new identity.
Short on cash, I have no other option but to walk the three miles to where Tyler told me I would find this Rick guy.
After an hour walk, I finally arrive at the address Tyler scribbled on a scrap of paper and palmed to me.
The house sits on a quiet, well maintained and, surprisingly, wealthy well-off road. Hardly the type of road you’d expect a person involved in criminal activity to live, but what the hell would I know, right?
As I approach the door, I can hear a voice inside, a child’s excited voice. I pause to listen and am surprised when the front door springs open. I don’t have time to breathe let alone move before a small boy barrels into me, almost knocking me off my feet. The only reason I don’t hit the deck in a crumpled heap is thanks to the hand that grips my forearm like a vice and propels me forward into a rock-hard chest.
“Whoa there, darling. I got you.” His voice rumbles through his chest. I should know, seeing as my face is smashed up against it. I push back, and he releases me.
My eyes widen as a tremor of fear runs through me, and my heart beats manically inside my chest. I take a couple of deep breaths to stave off the panic slowly rising in me. I tune out the worried voice of the boy who ploughed into me, who is currently clutching onto this guy’s leg. Instead, I focus my attention on inspecting the—Wow! Big guy. I mean, I’m no dwarf, and with heels I wouldn’t be far off his height, but this guy has muscles in all the right places.
He’s wearing a pair of black ripped jeans and a black tee that does nothing to hide the muscles underneath. One arm is alive with swirling black tattoos that continue way beyond the cuff of his tee.
My eyes rake over him, and when they reach his face, I’m met with a chiselled jaw covered in scruff that my body would love to feel brushed against my cheek. Woah. Where the hell did that thought come from. I’ve not felt an ounce of arousal in a long time, but I can’t help looking at his mouth and the perfect cupid’s bow and full biteable lower lip. Unable to take my eyes off his lips, I watch as one side kicks up in a devilish smirk. When his lips start moving, I’m so mesmerised I don’t even hear what he’s saying. The sudden click of fingers brings me out of my reverie.
“Uhm. Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, shaking my head and looking up at him. I’m met with a pair of aviator sunglasses.
“I said, see something you like, sweetheart? But I guess from that little display, verbal confirmation is not required,” he states with a chuckle, as he removes the glasses. He drops his head slightly making his browny-blond hair flop forwards. I feel a blush rise in my cheeks, and the blood in my veins begins to heat at the utter gall of the man.
Yeah, I mean I was totally checking him out, but talk about ego the size of Everest. Before I can cut him to size, the boy, still clinging to his leg pipes up.
“Can we go now, please? I’m real sorry, I didn’t mean to knock into the lady.”
“Sure we can, and I know you didn’t. It’s all good, little man. I just need to talk to….” he pauses, waiting for me to give him my name. Ah, shit. I don’t want to give him my real name. Come on, think Kasey, think, but I don’t get a chance to reply as he answers for me.
“Bambi here, then we’ll shoot, okay?” The boy nods. “Why don’t you go back inside, and I’ll come get you when I’m done, alright, bud?” Turning to me, the boy drops his chin and apologises before running off back into the house.
“Bambi?” I look at him questioningly, his eyes light with humour. Sensing he’s not going to answer, I get back to why I came here. “I’m looking for Rick, is he here?” At that he grabs his chest in mock pain.
“And there was me thinking it was my lucky day.” Noting the serious look on my face, he laughs. Dropping his hands, he turns back towards the house calling out for someone inside.
This guy exudes danger, and alarms bells should be blaring in my head, but they’re not. I look him over, this time pausing on his arse in the tight black jeans that hug his figure. Not wanting to get busted checking him out again, I quickly look away down the road. I don’t think I was as subtle as I thought when I feel eyes burning the side of my face, and I nervously bite the inside of my cheek.
Relief floods me when I hear footsteps coming down the hall, and a few seconds later a guy, a few inches shorter than ‘pretty boy’ here, appears.
“Blue. What’s up? I thought you and Max were heading to the park to…” the guy cuts off when he spots me. “Oh, man! I thought we talked about you bringing your latest fuck buddy round when Max is about.” His brows pull together in a fierce frown.
I snort with disgust. Seriously. What in the hell kind of place has Tyler sent me to? I’m starting to think I don’t want or need this guy’s help. Turning around, I head back down the path and away from them. I can hear their muffled voices as I reach the gate.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, is a total man whore, and the other one, well, he helps people disappear. From the looks of him, literally and metaphorically. This might be a nice neighbourhood but these two, look like a kind of trouble I don’t need.
Feet pound the pavement behind me, but I don’t stop. I don’t falter, just keep walking. I need to get out of here and find another way to disappear, screw the new ID.
I do, however, almost fall flat on my face when the guy behind me calls out my name.
