Being Free

Victor walked in and interrupted their conversation. “Ready to go, Anna?”

“I can take her, Vic. I have food to buy, too,” Blake said in a hurry. He felt jealous of Victor getting to spend time with Anna. “Don’t you have a date to get ready for?”

Victor must have caught on and just gave his brother a smile. “Um yeah, I do so I’ll get out of here. See you both in the morning.”

Victor waved cheerfully and went to his car, getting in and driving off.

“Are you sure, Blake? I don’t want to be a bother.” Anna gave him a worried look.

He kissed the crinkles in her forehead. “It’s not a bother, honey. You need food. I need food. Come upstairs with me while I shower. Then we’ll head out to the store. I usually hate grocery shopping but tonight I’ll have company.”

Anna followed him around the back of his shop and up a flight of stairs to his place. He opened the heavy wooden door and she followed him in, closing the door behind her. The windows were large and let the natural light in. She stepped into the living room and saw a long black couch with a huge flat-screen TV in front of it. She smiled. Men and their TVs.

He grabbed the remote of the coffee table and turned the TV on for her. “I’ll be right back, honey. Make yourself at home.”

He wandered off down a dark hallway and Anna sat down. She looked behind her and saw the kitchen. There were no walls. It was separated by a breakfast counter with two barstools in front of it. He had furniture but not many pictures. There were only two hanging on the wall and her curiosity got the better of her. She walked up to them and saw one was a recent picture of him with his two brothers and the other was Blake and some men all dressed up in army gear. She smiled at the pictures. Why was Blake so attractive? She needed to remember she would be on the road again soon. The thought was totally depressing.

She heard the water running and was tempted to join him. Would he reject her or welcome her? She went and sat on the couch before she gave in to temptation. She leaned back against the couch pillows and found it soft and cushiony. She yawned as the news came on and she tried to pay attention but she was so tired still from her late night with Blake. Her heavy eyes had been closing slowly when she heard the announcer say the name, Ben Matthews.

Anna sat up, the feeling of exhaustion leaving her body in an instant. She scooted closer to the TV.

The news announcer was asking anyone if they had any information on Anna Marie Lopez from Reno, Nevada. She was a person of interest in the murder of Benjamin Matthews.

Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Oh God, she had to get out of here and now. How many people in this town had seen her and were probably picking up their phones right this minute? Santiago would soon know where she was and he had no desire to question her. Only to kill her.

Her breathing was rapid and she couldn’t think clearly. Her chest felt tight with fear. She looked around for her backpack and felt a little dizzy, seeing spots in front of her eyes. She wouldn’t be able to get her clothes from the motel room and she didn’t care but she needed her gun.

“You’re hyperventilating, Anna, or should I say Anna Marie?” Blake said, coming into the room, freshly showered and dressed in jeans and a snug black T-shirt. Obviously he had heard the news. What if he called the police, too?

She turned and ran for the door in a panic but he moved like lightning and grabbed her around the waist before she even reached the door.

In her panic she screamed and started kicking out at him.

“Stop it, Anna. I am not calling the police. Calm down now!” he yelled, his voice deep and firm. That alone got through to her and she fell against his body.

Sobs wracked her, shaking her body, but Blake held on, not letting her fall to the floor. He stroked her hair and said, “Come on, take a deep breath, baby. It’s okay.”

She kept on crying. It was as if now that the floodgates were open she could no longer contain her tears. Blake patiently held her and rocked her on his lap until she stopped. She wiped her red, swollen eyes and looked around. They were sitting on the couch with her on his lap but she didn’t remember getting there.

“I’m too heavy,” she protested but he held her tighter.

“Oh please, you’re a lightweight.”

“Did you hear?” She felt him nod his head as she leaned against his chest. “I didn’t kill Ben.”

“I know that, baby. I heard the love and sadness in your voice when you spoke about him,” he assured her, using his hands to rub her back in a circular motion. “But you know who did?”

“Santiago, my ex,” she whispered softly and full of fear. She felt cold and goose bumps arose on her arms. “Well, one of his men did the actual shooting.”

“Will you tell me the truth now, Anna? Or do you want to be on the run and alone forever.”

Anna let out a tired sigh and confessed. “I’m so tired of running, of being scared and alone. Some days I want to give up and just let Santiago catch me. At least it will be all over once and for all.”

> But you’re too stubborn to just give up like that.” Blake said it as a statement and not a question.

“It is my fault Ben died. I have to live with that guilt. All he wanted to do was protect me from Santiago. He told me Santiago was bad news but I was so wrapped up in what I thought was true love I ignored his warnings over and over.” She stood up, getting agitated at thinking of his death. He had had so many dreams he never got the chance to fulfill. “Ever since we were little he protected me. He died protecting me. How can I sit down and give up and make his death worthless?” She wiped her eyes with her hands.

Blake stood up and pulled her back to the couch to sit next to him. “Will you trust me with the truth?”