Page 5 of Chasing Kaylee Kringle

“Hello, Kaylee.”

Chapter Four

Kaylee

This couldn’t be happening.

Kaylee wanted to blink, but she was afraid to take her eyes off him. Enrique Diaz hadn’t changed much. He still had that arrogant tilt to his full lips. The dark slanted brows.

Only there was something in his gaze she’d never seen before.

Satisfaction.

Her cheeks warmed as that last night between them flashed through her mind. She’d definitely left him hanging when she’d snuck out the front door while he was in the can. Rick was one of the reasons she’d never stayed in one place too long, because she’d assumed once he’d recovered from his bout of diarrhea, he’d come looking for her.

Unfortunately, it seemed getting too comfortable was her undoing.

“Kaylee, hon. Are you okay?” Dana asked.

Kaylee cleared her throat as she backed away from the row of drinks she’d been working on.

“Yeah, just a little dizzy.”

“You wanna take a break?” Dana’s gaze zeroed in on Rick, and she frowned. Her eyes flicked back to Kaylee before she crossed to her side, a friendly but firm tone in her voice. “Excuse me, sir, is that your coffee?”

Rick flashed a smile in her direction, but his gaze remained on Kaylee. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Then you’re good to go.” Dana lifted her chin. “Door’s that way. Have a nice day.”

Rick didn’t flinch or lose his smirk. “Of course.” He lifted his cup to his lips and took a long drink. “Hmm, that’s delicious. See you again soon.”

The last was directed at Kaylee, and her stomach rolled in protest. Bile climbed up the back of her esophagus, burning the lining of her throat and leaving a vile taste on her tongue. She didn’t take another breath until he disappeared out the door. Her chest heaved as she sucked in air, her body trembling in terror.

When Dana took her elbow, she jumped, and her boss stepped back, her face pinched with concern.

“Do I need to call the cops?” Dana asked.

Kaylee almost laughed, but it came out in a choked sound. “No, I’ll—I’ll be fine.”

Her stammer didn’t convince Dana, and she jerked her chin toward the back of the shop. “Kaylee, go to my office and call Gillian. You aren’t well.”

“I just need a moment. We’re slammed. I can’t—”

“Don’t argue with me. Get out of sight.” In a gentler tone, she added, “I’ll be fine.”

Kaylee didn’t bother protesting again. She stumbled down the hallway to Dana’s office. Once inside, she locked the door and hurled the contents of her stomach into Dana’s black trash can. She’d need to take that out with her, but at least her vomit didn’t end up on the carpet.

She got hold of Gillian, who sounded less than thrilled about getting called in on her day off. Gill swore she’d be right in, and Kaylee hung up. Rocking back and forth in Dana’s leather chair, she tried to control her panic.

He’d found her. There was nothing else she could do but run again. She couldn’t go back with him. Rick needed Kaylee Marie Taylor, but she was gone. Kaylee had destroyed every trace of the girl she used to be. Cutting ties with her family. Leaving school. Using her tuition money to buy several fake licenses, Social Security cards, and everything she needed to keep going. To make sure no one could find her.

Obviously not, or he wouldn’t be here.

How? She was so careful. No social media. Never have her picture taken. How in the name of all that was holy had he figured out she’d been hiding out in Eastern Idaho?

Her body stiffened as she realized …

If Rick had found her, then the devil wouldn’t be far behind.