The man was out cold, but people were honking and yelling, some getting out of their cars to gawk.
Kylee made it around to the driver’s side, staring down at the man in horror. Chandler reached back in, grabbed his phone and pocketed it, and fished out a Cannons’ hat from his lacrosse bag. He shoved it on. Luckily, he had sunglasses on from driving. Leaving his gear bag that wouldn’t do much more than slow him down, he sheltered Kylee with his arm and ushered her away from the scene.
People started yelling louder, especially the jerk from behind him, who’d jumped out of his car and looked ready to fight.
Chandler looked back and pointed. “This man just tried to kill us, and he’s got friends coming to finish the job. I’d suggest you get back in your car and call 911.”
The guy’s mouth flopped open. He scrambled back into his car and slammed the door.
Chandler walked quickly away and into the car rental terminal with Kylee pressed close against him, hoping nobody was taking pictures to show to the cops or the news if they showed up, but they probably were. Ty’s car and Chandler’s gear bag would trace Chandler to the scene. He hoped the hit man had a rap sheet and the police would know Chandler wasn’t the bad guy, but it was never great to flee a scene. He also wished he would’ve questioned Creepy Eyes before knocking him out cold. Aiden would’ve gotten the truth out of the guy and somehow secured the scene as he rescued the girl and got a long kiss. Chandler was only grateful they hadn’t been shot.
The farther they got into the covered parking garage, the fewer people were gaping or saying stuff to them. He hurried to the far end where cars were lined up, all ready to go. He reached a silver Toyota Camry that was close to an exit and had the keys in it. Looking around, he was relieved there wasn’t an employee close.
Kylee glanced up at him. “What are we going to do?” she asked. Her dark eyes were anxious, but she was impressively not flipping out.
Chandler stared into her deep-brown eyes and for a brief second, all the questions didn’t matter. He would do anything to protect her and to have her look at him with trust and appreciation in those beautiful eyes. If only he was better at the military op stuff. He should’ve brought his lacrosse stick. He could take somebody down with that easily.
He smiled as he ushered her around the car and opened her door. “We’re going to borrow this car for a short time and we’re going to get somewhere safe.”
Her eyes widened. “Borrow?”
“I promise I will make it right once your life isn’t in danger.”
She stared at him and then she nodded. “I trust that you will.”
That was all Chandler needed. She trusted that he’d make it right, not just for the rental company, but for her. He would. He was bluffing his way through this, but so far he’d at least reacted decisively when the guy came to shoot them, twice now, and kept her safe. Sadly, his friend Ty was going to be in a mess when the police figured out whose car had a comatose hitman’s body lying next to it.
But Ty would be more upset about the bullet holes in his baby.
ChapterFive
Chandler Delta had been Kylee’s superstar crush for quite a few years, but being around him and watching him react so unwaveringly, bravely, and impressively to take out Creepy Eyes took him to an even higher level in her already too-infatuated mind.
He charmed the woman manning the gate, flirting with her and distracting her to the point that she waved him through without even thinking to look at their paperwork. It should’ve been impressive, but only confirmed what a ladies’ man he was.
They got out of the airport without anything else crazy happening. They drove straight into downtown Boston, neither of them saying much, almost in silent agreement to wait to talk until they got somewhere safe. Chandler did call Papa, but he kept it short, telling him Kylee had found him, sharing the information she’d gleaned in a concise manner, telling him they’d borrowed a rental car, were headed into Boston, and did he know of any hotels downtown that would take cash without I.D.?
Papa took all the news stoically, promising he would intensify security around the secret and get the information into the right hands. He’d do all he could to stop Frederick from nuking the U.S. Then he cautioned them to be careful, said he’d find them a hotel or safe house in Boston soon, and hung up. Kylee could only imagine the mayhem at the Deltas’ homes, but at least they had the information now and at least it sounded like Fredrick wouldn’t proceed with his evil plans until he had the Delta weapon in hand. She’d keep praying Frederick’s timeline didn’t change and the Deltas could keep the secret weapon safe. The thought of America being hit by nuclear weapons was horrifying.
Chandler pulled into a Hertz rental car place and Kylee wondered if he was insane. “We’ll be out of here in a second,” he said confidently.
She hoped he was right. He parked the car in the line of returns, put two hundred-dollar bills in the cup holder, and then climbed out. Kylee followed his example, sliding out of her door as he came around to assist her. She had her purse, but her bag had been in her car back at the stadium and Chandler had left his large bag with the two lacrosse sticks hanging out of it in the Porsche. Were they going to hide out without even clean underwear? She rolled her eyes at herself. She was alive and Chandler was watching over her. That was all that mattered right now.
Oh, and praying Papa Delta’s expertise and connections could stop Mimi and keep the United States from getting nuked.
It was a relief not to be carrying the burden of Mimi’s secret conversation alone any longer, but sharing it also made it feel too real, as if the bombs were soaring through the sky toward them. She looked up but could only see a crisp, blue sky over Boston’s downtown section.
Chandler wrapped his arm around her and cuddled her against his chest. A thrill went through her and she forgot about the worries and stress for a moment. Even though she knew he was only trying to shelter her from any prying eyes, she savored the feel of him close.
They walked up to Quincy Market, the famous brick hall full of food places. Chandler led her around the outside of the building, where there were various street vendors selling tourist apparel. He quickly tucked a red Boston Redsox hat on her head and then bought her a white sweatshirt to match, helping her slide into it.
With her somewhat covered up, he wrapped her up close again and they walked to the southern end of the building. Unfortunately, they didn’t stop to watch the street performers performing aerial tricks over the bald head of a man who flinched every time. The crowd was cheering and laughing, and she felt like it was almost a different world. She and Chandler were running from Mimi’s or Frederick’s man, or maybe men at this point. They could also be in trouble with the police or a rental car company enforcer. And overshadowing those minor concerns was the fact that the world might be about to end. It all felt surreal and crazy.
At the same time, being close to Chandler was as safe and yet thrilling as she’d felt since yesterday. No … it was the safest she’d felt since her parents died and the most thrilling since the last time he held her close when they were only dumb, innocent teenagers with no clue how hard and lonely life could be. At least for her.
Chandler walked her into the middle of Quincy’s market, tucking his sunglasses in his shirt. It would probably be more obvious to keep them on as the interior was much darker than outside with no windows and harsh overhead lights. The long corridor was busy and loud and delicious scents of greasy pizza, sweet breads, chocolate, and seafood all wrapped around her. She was starving, and then she saw the gelato.Sim!
“Are you hungry?” Chandler asked. “I’m starved. I usually eat right after my games to replenish my protein stores.”