Could she have lost them that easily? Even if shehadleft them behind for now, Tony wouldn’t give up. He wasn’t a forgiving man, and he wouldn’t like his plan being disrupted, especially by a woman. She had to get off the street, somewhere he’d never think to look for her. Someplace dry and quiet, where she could figure out what came next.
With one last look behind her, she darted into the closest casino and scurried through the crowd at a half run until she found an exit on the opposite side of the building. In the rain again, she slowed to a walk, casting an anxious glance toward each stranger she met.
She hiked a half dozen blocks or more, leaving the bustling activity of the Strip behind. Finally, convinced she wasn’t being followed, she stopped in a covered doorway, where she could see both sides of the street, pulled out her cell phone and made the only call more important than her own safety.
First ring…Come on.
Second ring…Please pick up, Pop.
Third ring…Could Tony have gotten to him already?
Fourth ring…“Hi, sweetheart.”
Tears of relief stung her eyes, love making her weak in the knees. She swallowed hard and struggled to steady her voice. “Where are you, Pop?” There was nothing she could do about her trembling lips or the angst that made her bite off each word.
“I was just about to call you. I’m fixing your mom’s spaghetti and meatball recipe. I know you said not to expect you home for dinner, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to really talk.” Pop’s voice was upbeat and hopeful, but she heard the underlying sadness that seemed to always be present since her mother died.
“Please listen to me, Pop. There’s no time to explain, but I need you to pack a few things, take Chip and get in the car.” At least he had Chip. The faithful border collie would sound the alarm if anyone tried to break into Pop’s house.
“Meet me at the place we used to spend our summers when Mom was alive. Remember?” The crystal-clear lake, the grandeur of rugged mountains and the sigh of the wind through the tree tops—Kellie remembered as though it were yesterday. She hadn’t been there since her mother passed away, but now her family’s cottage on Lake Coeur d’Alene called to her. No one would find them there.
“What are you talking about, Kellie? What’s wrong?” Concern colored his voice, which no doubt meant he’d detected the anxiety in hers. That was okay—she had to warn him.
“I’ve done something stupid, Pop. I promise I’ll explain everything when I see you. Please trust me. We’re both in danger if we don’t disappear right now—today.”
If Tony or his henchmen got there first, Pop wouldn’t go down without a fight. A shiver of trepidation coursed through her body.
“I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that, honey.”
An exasperated sigh escaped. “Listen to me, Pop! Itisbad, and I need you to get in the car and drive…now. And take that mangy dog because you won’t be coming home for a while.” Kellie hadn’t intended to raise her voice, but she had to make him take her seriously.
Her stepfather’s silence shamed her. He’d obviously heard the disrespect and frustration in her words.
God, please let him do this one thing.She should have gotten him out of town the second Tony threatened to incriminate him. Instead, she’d tried to fix things. Her specialty. Except, this time she’d made it worse, and now even Chip would be lucky to escape Tony’s wrath.
Kellie resisted the overwhelming urge to apologize. Pop deserved an apology, but not now, when he’d likely take it as a sign of her weakening. Neither of them had time to argue.
“Please. Just meet me. Don’t say where you’re going—not to anyone and especially not over the phone. Okay, Pop?”
The only sound she heard through her cell phone was a disdainful harrumph, and she hated herself for not telling him—for keeping her plan a secret. But that didn’t change what had to happen next. “Do this for me, Pop. Please? I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. You know that, right? Leave in the next five minutes.” She issued a silent prayer that he reallyhadfive minutes.
His wounded sigh lashed at her conscience “All right, Kellie. Against my better judgment, I’ll go, but that explanation better be good.” His disapproval stung. Anger would have been easier to take. “Kellie?”
“Yeah, Pop?”
“Be careful.” And then he was gone…and she’d missed what might be her last opportunity to tell him how much she loved him. What if neither of them made it to Coeur d’Alene?
Kellie stumbled onto the sidewalk and continued aimlessly, blinded by the rain and the tears that refused to be ordered away this time. The street was much less crowded. In fact, she hadn’t seen another pedestrian in a while. The drenching rain muffled the sounds of traffic—or maybe she was too far from the Strip to hear.
How long had she been walking? She’d left the posh and glamour behind, trading it for the seedy section of downtown Vegas. Not the best neighborhood to be traveling alone. Several businesses along the street were boarded up. Others were open, but dark and quiet, hidden behind tinted glass with bars over the windows. She hurried by a tattoo parlor with a half dozen motorcycles parked out front.
Wrapping her arms around her waist, she tried to combat the chill that had settled in her bones. October was still considered the rainy season, and with the sun hidden by a thick veil of clouds, the day was surprisingly cool. But the cold that was making her whole body tremble wasn’t from the rain.
Suddenly, the note Jerry had shoved in her hand slipped from beneath the cell phone she still clutched and dropped to the broken and decaying sidewalk. Stopping, she eyed the folded paper already beginning to soak through. She should leave it there—keep walking. It wasn’t like she could take a chance on Jerry being a friend as he’d claimed, but she was curious.
Cautiously, as though the paper was a rattlesnake, coiled to strike, she picked it off the ground. Smoothing the creases, she pulled it closer and concentrated on the handwritten message.
Go to Wally’s Tavern, 14th and Fremont. Someone will meet you. Anna says hi.