Hunted Love (A Dangerous Kind of Love Book 2) (32 page)

Jamie pressed back against the wall and waited until Fletcher came into view. Realizing he had no choice now, he raised his gun and took aim just as Fletcher’s cell phone went off. He watched as Fletcher lowered his gun and reached into his pocket, muttering a string of curses as he lifted the phone to his ear. “I told you,” he started to say angrily but then stopped. “She’s where?”

Jamie stiffened.

“How do you know that . . . Oh, that’s just wonderful,” he said sarcastically. “No, I’ve just been talking to myself. I’ll be right there.” He blew out his breath in frustration. “Don’t worry,” he said in a placating tone of voice, “sweet little Sarah will be dead before the night’s over. Is Murphy with her?”

Jamie silently crept along the wall while Fletcher spoke, but stopped when the man went silent for a long stretch of time.

Suddenly, Fletcher’s voice exploded in anger. “Hey, you know what? Forget it. Kill her yourself.” More silence, and then, “Yeah whatever. When she gets there, I’ll take care of the rest,” he said turning toward the door.

Jamie quietly stepped out of the stall and crept closer.

“You just keep Murphy out of my way.” There was another second of silence and then a sharp, “I’d be careful if I were you. I just might add you to my list.” He stuck his phone back into his pocket and took a step toward the door.

Jamie took another step closer.

Suddenly, Fletcher stilled. He cocked his head to the side as he started to lift his gun up.

Jamie pressed his gun to the back of Fletcher’s head. “Drop it.”

Fletcher gritted his teeth together as he let his gun fall to the floor.

Jamie kicked it aside.

The gun slid across the wooden floor to land inside one of the horse stalls. “Turn around,” he ordered.

Holding up his hands, Fletcher slowly spun around. He looked at Jamie in confusion. “Why am I still alive?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be dead soon enough.”

“Oh, come on, I heard you’ve turned over a new leaf, but I doubt you’ve changed for the good that much. Why haven’t you shot me yet?” A smile crossed his face as comprehension dawned. “Oh, I know. You need me alive, don’t you?” He started to laugh. “You can’t kill me.”

“Don’t be so certain.”

“If you kill me, you won’t know who’s after Sarah.”

Jamie held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

“Now why would you want my phone?” He dropped his hands. “I bet you want to see who just called me. Well, that would be a violation of my client’s privacy and mine. I’m afraid I can’t let that happen. It would be unethical.”

Jamie’s finger tightened on the trigger.

“Besides, you can’t unlock my phone without the passcode and there’s no way I’m giving it to you.”

“Who hired you?”

“Yeah, I’m not telling you that either.”

“I could just shoot you in the leg.”

“That wouldn’t be enough to make me talk and you know it.”

“Maybe not,” Jamie said, smiling grimly, “but it’ll make me feel so much better.”

“Yeah, but you could hit an artery. I could bleed out and time is of the essence. If I don’t show up for the appointment that I just made, my client might decide to take matters in their own hands. You think I’m crazy. I’m the picture of mental health compared to my client. At least I planned to kill Sarah quickly and painlessly. If I don’t show to finish the job, Sarah’s in for a very nasty time.”

Jamie felt his mouth go dry. He could shoot the man anyway and hope for the best, but if he did, he would still be taking a chance. There was no guarantee Fletcher would talk. In fact, it would be even less likely he’d spill what he knew. Fletcher had a stubborn streak a mile wide. If Jamie shot him, it might just make things worse.

“It appears you have quite the dilemma, Murphy.”

“How much are you getting paid to kill me and Sarah?”

“Kill you? Oh, Murphy, you’re way off. You were never the target. Don’t you get it yet? I’m getting paid
not
to kill you. And believe me,” he said with a snarl, “it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I almost had you at the stables last night. There was a moment where I seriously considered putting you out of your misery, but I didn’t.”

“You’re lying.”

“No, unfortunately, I’m not. My contract is very clear. I’m to kill Sarah but not touch a hair on your worthless hide.” He glanced at his watch. “I was given a deadline to finish the job. Midnight. If I don’t kill Sarah and a few others my client wants dead by midnight, my client will finish the job and I’ll lose out on a lot of money.” He made a face. “It’s a completely arbitrary deadline. Everyone’s too impatient nowadays.”

“How much are they paying you?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I’ll double it.”

“You don’t have that kind of money.”

Jamie jerked his head toward the back of the stables. “There’s a cellar underneath here. More than enough hidden away. Ten times as much in the bank. I’ll give it all to you. All you have to do is tell me who hired you.”

Fletcher looked as if he was considering Jamie’s offer for a moment before shaking his head. “You know, for some reason, I have this feeling you don’t plan on keeping your word. Perhaps the gun you have pointed at me makes me think that. Throw it in that stall over there,” he said jerking his chin toward the stall next to him, “and I’ll tell you. After you show me all this money you have hidden away.”

Jamie pursed his lips together. It was a horrible deal. Jamie knew that, but out of all of Fletcher’s vices, greed outranked them all. “Take your coat off. If you’ve got any other weapons throw them to the side. Turn around and lift up your shirt too. Then your pant legs.”

Fletcher slipped off his jacket and let it fall to the ground at his feet. Then turned around, lifting his shirt high enough to show that he had no weapons hidden underneath his waistband before moving to his pant legs. When he was done, he said, “Satisfied? Now show me the money.”

Jamie tossed the gun over the door before walking toward the other side of the stable. He took a diamond shape block off the stall, opened the back and took out a small key.

“What’s that?” Fletcher asked over his shoulder.

“The key to the door,” Jamie said crouching down near the hidden door. He reached for a crowbar lying nearby and pulled the door up. Another door lay underneath. He started to slip the key in the lock when Fletcher spoke up.

“Thank you, Jamie. I really appreciate this.” Fletcher reached an arm up underneath the back of his shirt, reaching for the knife hidden high between his shoulder blades. The knife made a scratching sound against the sheath as he brought it out. He pressed the tip of the knife to his fingertip as he grinned down at Jamie. “I know I’m not supposed to kill you, but since you’re going to pay me to betray my client anyway, I might as well do as I like.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ashton checked her reflection in the mirror while Sarah once again checked Casey’s cell phone for a message from Jamie. She glanced down at the cell phone in Sarah’s hands. “Anything yet?” she asked, digging out a tube of lipstick from her purse.

“Not yet.”

“He’ll call when he gets a chance,” Ashton said pressing the lipstick to her mouth. When she was done, she popped the gold cap back on the tube and threw it into her purse. “He could be busy.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Ashton gave her a chiding look. “He could be out of cell phone range. His battery could have died. Maybe he fell asleep. It hasn’t been that long since you’ve spoken to him.”

Sarah sighed as she swiped her finger across the screen and tapped in Jamie’s number. “You’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right.” Ashton reached out and took the phone out of her hands.

“Hey.”

She held the phone out of reach. “You need a break from this thing.”

“Ashton.”

Ashton brought down the phone and glanced at the screen, her eyes widening as she scrolled through the text messages and number of calls her sister made. “Well, that’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“Here I was worried that you were making a mistake by encouraging a relationship with the hoodlum, but I see I needn’t have worried.”

Sarah crossed her arms. “And why is that?”

“You’re clearly going to scare him off,” she said, slipping the phone in the side pocket of her purse. “You know Casey is awfully sweet to let you basically commandeer his phone. He seems like a good man.”

“Don’t start that again,” Sarah asked turning to the mirror. She straightened her white eyelet blouse over her jeans before reaching for her pink raincoat.

Ashton looked at her in surprise. “Don’t start what?”

She next turned her attention to her hair, running her fingers through the ends. “Casey’s nice but I love Jamie.”

“Well, I know that.” Ashton said opening the bathroom door. “Everyone knows that. Lord knows you haven’t exactly been discreet with your emotions.”

They stepped into the gym hallway.

“Let’s see if we can find Casey,” Ashton said. “Hopefully, he’s found his passport by now.”

Sarah glanced toward the end of the hallway where Rory lay next to the door to Casey’s apartment. She called his name and patted her leg. As he ran toward her, she said to her sister, “Explain to me again why he’s coming with us.”

“You have a psycho hit man after you and we need protection.” She smiled. “Just think. Tomorrow we’ll be on a beach somewhere without a care in the world.”

“Uh huh. What’s the real reason you want him to come along?” Sarah asked pushing open the door to the gym and stepping inside.

Suddenly, she was pulled forward with such force she was thrown down on the floor. She twisted around just as Moose barricaded the doors, keeping her sister and Rory out.

Ashton banged her fists on the door and screamed for Casey while Sarah scrambled to her feet.

“Moose, what are you doing?” she asked taking a step forward. Suddenly, her arms were pinned to her side and she was pulled back.

She glanced over her shoulder as Danny held her close. Her gaze moved up to the black knit cap covering his hair. “We’ve been looking for you all afternoon.” He slung an arm around her shoulder. “What was your sister saying about a beach somewhere?” He leaned his head against hers. “You’re not planning on leaving us, are you, Sarah?”

“What do you want, Danny?”

He leered down at her. “You see—” His breath came out in a whoosh as Sarah elbowed him in the gut. When he bent over, clutching his stomach, she swept his legs out from underneath him before turning and racing for the front door. She got there just as Casey ran around the side of the building and up the front steps.

He quickly stepped through the doors and in front of Sarah as Moose and Danny ran after her. “Perhaps you missed the sign, but we’re closed.”

Danny peered at the door. “Closed? Moose did you know they were closed?”

Moose didn’t answer or acknowledge Danny choosing to keep his eyes on Casey.

“I had no idea,” Danny continued. “Well, that’s okay because we didn’t come to work out anyway. We’re just going to take our friend Sarah here for a ride. Now, why don’t you be a good boy and step out of the way.”

Casey shook his head with a smile, seemingly amused by Danny’s tough guy act. “Yeah, dude, that’s not happening.”

Danny looked at him in surprise before bursting out in laughter. “That’s funny,” he said running a hand over his mouth before reaching underneath his coat and bringing out a gun. “I think it’s happening,
dude
.” He took a menacing step forward. “In fact, I think—” A sharp jab to Danny’s nose cut off the rest of his sentence.

Danny’s eyes crossed as he fell back, blood spurting from his nose, the gun clattering to the floor.

Moose glanced down at his friend with a sigh before stepping over him and approaching Casey.

Sarah backed out onto the sidewalk as Casey and Moose began fighting with one another.

Rain struck her face and her eyes as she looked around the deserted street. She was just about to run to a small all night diner down at the end of the block when Danny appeared at her side. She gasped in surprise as he lifted his gun and pointed it at her head. She raised her hands up. “What do you want, Danny?”

He wiped the blood away from his mouth. “I already told you. Move.”

“Where?”

He pointed to the street where a long dark sedan sat. “Come on. We don’t have all day,” he said pushing her forward when she slowed her pace.

She slid into the backseat and watched as Danny ran around to the other side of the car and got behind the driver’s side. He pressed two fingers on the side of his nose and let out a painful yelp as he put it back in place.

Sarah grimaced as he reached for some tissue and stuck a few pieces up his nose. While he was distracted, she slid to the door.

“Hey!” He turned and pointed the gun at her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She held up her hands. “Nowhere.”

“Yeah, right.” He glanced back towards Moose. “What is taking him so long?” He pressed down on the horn.

Hearing the sound of Rory frantically barking, Sarah turned her attention back to the street.

Ashton was standing outside in the rain, near the side of the building, holding onto Rory’s leash as he pulled against the restraint, his paws scraping against the concrete, trying to run towards the car.

She turned her attention from the front of the gym to Rory and then finally the sedan. She pushed her hair off her face and tilted her head, trying to get a look in the car window as she neared.

“Is that your sister?” Danny asked, before letting out a low whistle. “She’s hot.” He raised his eyebrows. “It looks like she’s going to be coming with us,” he said as Ashton stepped off the curb and slowly started toward the car.

Sarah clamped her hand down on his arm. “Please don’t hurt her.”

Danny’s brows drew down. “Who said I’m going to hurt her? The only one who’s gotten hurt around here tonight is me.”

Sarah glanced back just as Casey and Moose came crashing through the window. They rolled on the ground for a moment, causing Ashton to turn around and face them.

They all watched as Casey grappled with the big man for dominance until he was on top, smashing his fist into Moose’s face.

Danny wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Come on, Moose,” he whispered.

Casey lifted Moose up by the front of his shirt, preparing to deliver another blow, but stopped as Moose’s head rolled back. He roughly pushed the man back on the ground before turning his attention to the car.

“Uh oh,” Danny whispered, hurriedly putting the key in the ignition. By the time he got the engine started, Casey had his hand on the back door.  He opened it just as Danny pulled away from the curb.

Sarah reached for his hands but found herself being jerked back by Danny who was holding onto the back of her shirt with one hand while pressing down on the accelerator.

She bounced around the car as they hit the curb and jumped up on the sidewalk, narrowly missing a lamppost, as Danny tried to drive one handed.

Sparks flew as the car scraped along the building next to them. Danny let go of her shirt just long enough to yank the wheel to the left, sending the speeding car down a narrow alleyway.

The open car door slammed shut as it hit a fire escape.

Heart pounding, Sarah turned to stare out the back window. She watched as Casey chased after them on foot until the car burst out of the alleyway and careened out onto another street, leaving him behind.

*  *  *

Jamie swung the crowbar across Fletcher’s ankles as the man lifted up a knife, preparing to stab Jamie in the back. He was too close to put a lot of force behind the blow but he was still able to hit Fletcher’s ankle hard enough for Fletcher to scream in agony and stumble back.

The knife clattered to the floor.

Jamie lunged himself at Fletcher, throwing him up against the wall. He pounded his fist into Fletcher’s stomach, just as Fletcher brought his own fists down on the middle of Jamie’s back.

Jamie ignored the pain as he continued to fight. Fletcher grabbed Jamie’s hair, jerking his head back and then hitting Jamie’s jaw with enough force to push Jamie back.

Stars burst behind Jamie’s eyelids and his vision swam as he fell back against the floor. He blinked up at the gaping holes in the top of the stables, momentarily stunned. Suddenly, Fletcher was straddling him with the knife in his hands. “I still haven’t thanked you for your little impromptu cosmetic surgery the other night.” He raised the knife above his head. “No time like the present.”

Jamie caught at Fletcher’s wrists and held on tight as Fletcher brought the knife down towards his chest. He kicked and struggled until the point of the blade had shifted enough that it was pointing up towards his head. Letting his arms slacken a bit, he jerked his head to the side just as Fletcher brought the knife down and into the wooden floor next to Jamie’s head. Jamie kicked out then, sending Fletcher over his head and onto the floor.

Fletcher jerked the knife out of the floor and scrambled to his feet, lunging at Jamie with the knife.

Jamie jumped back at the last second, wincing and grunting in pain as the knife slashed at his shoulder. He spun around, grabbing at Fletcher’s arm with his left hand and pinning it down at his side while striking out with his left elbow. Fletcher’s neck snapped back as Jamie’s elbow struck him across the face. With his heel, he struck out against Fletcher’s already injured ankle, smiling as Fletcher screamed in pain.

Jamie reached for the knife in Fletcher’s hand. He grabbed the other man’s wrist, twisting it towards Fletcher just as Fletcher’s ankle gave away and he stumbled forward, driving the blade into his own chest.

Fletcher gasped in surprise as his knees buckled and he slid down Jamie’s body to the floor.

Cursing, Jamie knelt next to him. He pressed his hands to Fletcher’s chest trying to stop the flow of blood.

“Too late,” Fletcher gasped. “You’re too late. You can’t save her. Nothing’s going to change. Your girl’s still going to die.”

“Who hired you?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He coughed. “Not before Sarah dies though.”

Jamie’s jaw clenched. “Why Sarah? Why does she have to die?”

Fletcher chuckled and then coughed, spitting up blood as he did. “Because you love her.”

Jamie’s brow furrowed. “Revenge? Is that why? Who wants to hurt me that much?” He grabbed Fletcher’s shirt as the other man began to laugh at him. “Who?”

More blood came up and Fletcher’s laugh turned into a strangled cough. There was one last gasp of air and then nothing.

Jamie stood up, breathing heavily, watching as Fletcher’s eyes eventually lost focus and his head lolled to the side.

*  *  *

“Wow, that went bad real quick,” Danny said. “Did you see Moose? I’ve never seen him like that before. I hope he’s not dead.”

Sarah closed her eyes as Danny continued to chatter.

“Stupid moron. I don’t know why he didn’t just run when he had the chance. There was a moment back there when he could have gotten away. Stupid idiot.”

“Where are we going, Danny?”

“You’ll see. Just sit back and relax, Sarah.” He turned on the radio. “Do you like country? Rock?”

“I’d like to know why you just kidnapped me.”

He snorted. “Kidnapped? You’re so dramatic.”

“You’re the one with the gun.”

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

She crossed her arms and sank back against the seat. “Is that what you told Robin before you killed her?”

He readjusted his rearview mirror to look at her. “Robin? What are you talking about?”