First Light (24 page)

I hadn't really given much thought to what Adam meant to me, but something stopped me from just pretending it didn't matter now because of how much I'd missed Kalen. Kalen had left me – he'd hurt me, but Adam had been nothing but great since the day we met, how could I ignore that? ‘I’m seeing someone now,’ I whispered.

‘I know,’ he said, lowering his eyes. ‘I’m sorry I scared you earlier. I was just, over excited. You’re tough for such a small person, you caught me off guard.’

‘Ha! That’s rich! God, you’re a nightmare!’

His eyes glinted, ‘Shame, I was hoping to make your dreams.’

‘Get out now, please.’ I said with mock authority, my heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.

Just before he turned to leave the way he’d come in, he looked back. ‘Ronnie, your hair – it was beautiful the way it was.’

‘You know, you could leave through the front door.’ I grinned.

‘Where would be the fun in that? I wouldn’t be able to show off then, would I – all those years of training gone to waste.’

He took my hand and kissed it, then sprang through the window and ran down the slanting roof. As he reached the edge he jumped, his arms latching onto the tree opposite. I giggled, watching him swing into a flip and land smoothly on the grass. He looked up and gave me a little bow, then sprinted off through the back garden, scaled the fence and disappeared.

New Orleans – October 2005

The city looked perfect from the rooftops – a far cry from the turmoil and strife of the fighting that had taken place below. He stopped to catch his breath, knowing it would be a short moment of respite. Soon enough they would be on his tail again and the helicopters would drive him from the rooftops. He needed to find cover – quickly.

Kalen looked around and listened for the tell-tale sound of the chopper. Nothing. Could he have finally outrun them? Unlikely. As his heart rate slowed he prepared for another burst of energy, knowing that to linger or rest would be fatal. He sprang into action once more and as he reached the edge of the building, threw himself from it. His legs flailed through the air. His heart missed a beat; miscalculation meant death. But he landed smoothly on the neighbouring roof and continued his sprint. The speed allowed him to move in a way many others couldn’t, running up walls, flipping and somersaulting over stairwells or any obstacle blocked his path. Parkour had always been one of his favourite things to do – the closest a man could get to flying. That day, however, not long after he’d said goodbye to his only friends and the day he had truly begun to run for his life, it wasn’t fun any more – it was terrifying. He continued to leap from building to building until finally a chasm below was far too vast to jump. Instead, he fled down the wall, using guttering to aid his descent, and found himself in a dumpster-lined alleyway.

Ahead of him, K could see the main road. He breathed out. He had made it to where he needed to be, just in time to hear the helicopter approaching in the distance.

Took them long enough
, he thought, almost smiling. He pulled the hood of his black coat up to conceal his face and slipped casually from the side road onto the bustling street. The parade took place throughout the streets of New Orleans every year at the same time – it had been a lucky coincidence. Now, because he was amongst what was one of the largest crowds he could have hoped for, he regained his swagger and caught his breath, heading for the water’s edge with confidence.

There he would begin his journey to the other side of the planet; as far away as he could get from the United States and the people who wanted him dead. K had no idea what he would do with himself once he arrived in Europe – if he wasn’t an assassin, he didn’t know what he was. He was sure of only one thing: he wanted to live. For now, that was enough.

26 – Lie To Me

At work, I decided to tell Alexandra he was back
. I made tea for everyone in the office. As the new girl, it was an unwritten rule that tea making was part of my job when there was no temp around, until someone newer than me started at least. But I didn’t mind doing it – time in the kitchen was time to dream. As I placed everyone’s cups on their desks and approached Alexandra’s, I couldn’t hide my smile. I put her drink down last, next to mine. She stared at me intently.

‘What’s going on with you, chick?’

‘What do you mean?’ I asked innocently.

‘I mean normally you seem to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders until I force you to snap out of it – yet today I can barely cope with your excitement. The sun is shining outside and we’re working. What could possibly be worth smiling about?’

‘Oh yeah, because there are so many other things to do in Clanots.’

‘Hey, anything’s better than being at work.’

‘I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, Fusco!’ the voice of our manager boomed behind us. She beamed up at him and he walked away with a coy smile. Another affirmation that they were more than work associates. I raised my eyebrows when she looked at me again.

‘Oh no you don’t, you have to answer my question before I answer any of yours.’

‘He came back,’ I said before I took a sip of my scolding hot drink.

Her eyes grew large. ‘No way!’

I grinned, quickly turning my attention back to my computer as Damien looked over in our direction again. An email popped up on my screen.

From: Alexandra Fusco

Subject:
Tell me everything right now!

I typed back, stifling a laugh.
He turned up last night – at my house

What did he say? Where’s he been?

I don’t know where he’s been, as usual he doesn’t tell me much… but he said he missed me. That’s why he’s back

OMG! What about Adam?

Well, I guess nothing changes… Kalen and I were never dating anyway, we still aren’t.

Oh yeah you’re just friends right? Pfffft!

What does pfffft mean?

It means you’re full of sh!t, Rose... you love him!

No I don’t!!!! Honestly you don’t know what Kalen’s about – he’s not the sort of person a girl should love. Adam is good for me.

Yeah but babe – since when has anyone loved what’s good for them?

My work phone rang at that point, bringing me back to reality. A woman wanted to take her husband and three children on holiday to Benidorm. I was pleased for the distraction because, honestly, I didn’t know how to answer my friend.

***

I walked into the bar with Adam. Nestled below White Lies it was the only pub in town with a poolroom. Inside, the old red carpet and teak wooden bar made for the sort of pub you’d expect to find an older crowd of men playing darts, but because of the location it was the most popular place in town without even trying. I saw Mae immediately and waved over. She came running, leaving Cheryl and Toni at the bar. I noticed instantly the three of them were all wearing similar outfits. Strapless dresses, in varying bright colours. I’d kept on my black work trousers and changed my shirt for a bottle-blue spaghetti-strap top.

‘Ommigod, Sally Cartwright has just thrown a drink in her boyfriend’s face. You missed it.’

I smiled. I knew of Sally, but not well enough to care all that much. ‘Taz is coming tonight, right?’ I asked.

‘I hope so,’ Adam said looking around. ‘I don’t want to be the tag-along guy on a girls’ night.’

‘It’s not a girls’ night,’ said Mae with a giggle. ‘Taz should be here soon so you'll have someone to chat to.’ She squeezed between us, linking her arms through ours to direct us to the bar.

‘I take it you know they’re back then?’ she whispered to me while Adam got our drinks. My stomach tightened. Quickly I tried to decide whether or not to play dumb.

I chose not. ‘How do you know?’

‘Because he’s here,’ she said flatly.

I felt like I’d been hollowed out, my heart rate accelerated as I scanned the crowd.

‘Where?’

She eyed me furiously. ‘I knew you’d seen him!’

‘He’s a friend, Mae, I’m not gonna ignore him just because all of you seem to hate him for no good reason.’

‘Whatever,’ she said with a flick of her long dark hair. ‘Just remember he left you in pieces. I’m not gonna pick up the pieces a second time.’

‘Where is he?’ I asked, trying to keep my voice level so she wouldn’t know how much her words hurt me.

‘Here you go, ladies, one vodka cranberry and one Sauvignon Blanc for Veronica.’ Adam handed us our drinks, cutting our conversation short.

‘Ergh, can you believe those idiots are back in town?’ Cheryl whined loudly as she joined us. She noticed Adam and stuck one hand out. ‘Hi, I’m Cheryl.’

‘We met, in Cowford,’ he grinned.

‘Oh, yeah, Ronnie’s birthday, that’s right!’

‘What idiots?’ he asked.

The girls all stared at me.

When I didn’t answer, Cheryl stepped in. ‘Oh, just some friends of Ronnie’s. You should be careful Adam, this one likes to walk on the wild side.’

Rolling my eyes, I let the sounds of their chat fade and turned as casually as I could to scan the room. I saw him instantly, over by one of the pool tables. Dressed in black jeans, a grey fitted tee and leaning casually against the wall, pool cue in hand. He was speaking to someone… Denver! I recognised his height instantly. As if Kalen felt me looking at him, his dark eyes lifted and met mine. A small smile formed on his lips, but he didn’t let it all the way out. A shiver ran through me. Denver glanced over, giving me a polite nod and leaning across the table. He sunk two balls with one shot.

Kalen dropped his gaze to take his turn. As he moved I noticed Laith standing close behind him, glaring at me venomously. I looked away.

‘You gonna drink that?’ Adam asked, turning to see where I was looking. I flipped my head back around to face my friends, ignoring the look I knew Mae was giving me. I wished Alexandra were here.

‘I’m going to the bathroom,’ I put my glass down and walked away from them. Suddenly they all felt incredibly close. I needed space.

The toilet seat fell down with a thud. I sat and rested my head in my hands. My mind was reeling. He was here. He was here and I was with my boyfriend. Why did that feel so wrong? I sat for as long as I could without my presence being missed in the bar, then got to my feet, took a deep breath and left the bathroom.

A large hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me under the stairs. Kalen was looking down at me, a smile in his eyes. He smelled of fresh air, salt and wind – if wind had a smell.

‘He seems, nice,’ he said in a low voice that caused a twinge behind my navel.

‘He is,’ I hesitated. The proximity of his body meant I could almost feel his heartbeat. Or was that my own? Everything in my mind was a blur as I looked up at him.

‘What are you doing here?’

He laughed.

‘What?’

‘You ask as though you think I’m following you.’

I lifted my chin. ‘Are you?’

Lightly, he trailed one finger down the side of my face. ‘Not this time,’ he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. ‘The boys wanted to play pool. This, is just a happy coincidence.’ He stared at me for a long moment. ‘I’ll come say hi before you leave,’ he said, and in a blink he was gone. The door to the main pub swung closed behind him.

I let out the breath I’d been holding, wanting to leave through the side door and escape into the night. Instead, I straightened and headed back into the main room. I stole a glance in the direction of the boys as I passed. A group of girls were talking to Denver. I watched as one of them broke away and stepped towards Kalen. His eyes flicked to mine and I quickly looked away. My insides twisted.