“How did you find me?” I ask. It’s a long shot asking a monster his tricks for the hunt.
His gaze falls to the heart-shaped locket around my neck. I rarely take it off. “I’ve known exactly where you are the entire time, Honor. I waited until you stopped running so I could collect you in the manner you deserve. Like an animal.”
In other words, he wanted to make it hurt, but in his pained state, he’s shown his hand. I resist the urge to tear the necklace from my throat. It’s better if he thinks I’m still wearing it.
“My patience is running out, Honor,” he snaps.
Icy fingers skitter along my spine as my hand grips the handle of the door. “You wouldn’t know patience if it slapped you in the face, Gideon.”
Then I’m out of the door and running in the opposite direction of the reception area. I don’t spot Mike and make it to thebus station in under five minutes. I buy a ticket to Cincinnati which leaves in a few minutes, and make my way to the bus, launching myself onto it. I tug on the necklace and drop it down the side of a chair before racing back off the bus and disappearing into the darkened streets of Lexington. I have to hope Gideon is arrogant enough to follow that false trail, unless he’s dead. Then I’ll be free of his control, but wanted for murder.
CHAPTER 10
HONOR
Kindness is found in the smallest of acts and in the most unassuming of people.
Three days later, I arrive in Knoxville with Louise’s number in my hand. My resolution to not leave any trail is wearing down. I need help. But is this the right decision? To call or not to call. If anyone caught up to Mel and questioned her, she would be the only one to know where I might be heading. But I’m exhausted and the pain inside my body is getting worse. I left the bottles of pills on the bedside table at the motel. So I’ve been in pain and a growing worry that something is seriously wrong is gnawing at my insides. If I keep going like this, I’ll fuck up and make a mistake. I have to take some risks to avoid creating even bigger ones. Like Gideon tracking me down again.
I drag my dry bottom lip between my teeth and press the number into my phone. My heart races inside my chest as the call connects and starts to ring. I glance at the sky, then at the clock on my phone. It’s 11 p.m. Like normal folks, she’sprobably fast asleep. I eyeball the hard plastic bench. I can wait until morning.
“Hello?” a sleepy voice drawls.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize the time.”
“Joanna?”
I squeeze my eyes closed. “Yes.”
“Hold on, honey, are you at the station in Knoxville? I’m coming to get you. Don’t bolt, okay, I’m forty minutes away.”
“Okay.”
“See the man at the ticket counter?”
My gaze flicks to the heavy-set bald guy covered in tattoos. He looks like he moonlights in a biker gang. “Yes.”
“His name is Tony. Go to the desk. Tell him Louise is coming for you.”
My gaze flicks to the cameras in the corners of the waiting room. “There are cameras. I can’t risk it.” I release a breath, and my shoulders droop. “I’ll wait for you out here.”
The rumble of an engine echoes down the phone, and her voice becomes tinny as she swaps to the speakerphone. “The camera feed isn’t live, and he will wipe it.”
I chew my bottom lip as I study the street. There are plenty of people hanging around. I need to not be out in such a busy public place, and it’s pretty cold out here. “You’re sure?”
“One hundred percent. Go on, I’ll wait on the line.”
I drag in a small breath, making my ribs creak. I’ve not had the tools, the help, nor the privacy to get rid of the damn trainer. I tried at the last station and ended up crying for twenty minutes.
I push open the glass door and walk up to the ticket desk. Tony raises his gray bushy eyebrows at me, and his ice-blue eyes almost have me bolting out of the door. “Where to?” he growls.
“Louise is coming for me.”
His eyes crinkle, and his mouth pulls up in a genuine smile. At least, I think he’s smiling. He rises out of his cracked leather seat. Jesus, he’s tall. I shuffle back a step as he unbolts the heavy door between us.
“Come on in. Joanna, right?” Well, my hiding is going so well. Everyone who sees me knows who I am, or at least my alias. Ugh, no turning back now. He tilts his head. “I don’t bite.”
“He doesn’t.” I blink at my phone. I forgot Louise was still there. “Deep breath, you got this. I’m thirty minutes out. Go sit with Tony.”
