Being Free

Blake said some explicit words under his breath and Anna couldn’t help but smile.

“Andrew taught me self-defense and helped me gain muscles and not just lose weight. He said one day I would find the strength to de

fend myself and he was right. When Santiago sat there smiling that Ben was dead and said Kyle deserved a bonus for ridding our lives of that pest, I lost it. He actually thought I would stay with him and continue our life as if nothing happened. I got up and asked him where Kyle was. He smiled and said he sent the men downstairs so we could have a romantic night. He promised to try hard not to cheat on me.”

She felt the anger rise again as she remembered how he had hugged her and squeezed her ass. She remembered his unfeeling words as if hadn’t just hurt her. “You are sexy, Cara, but a man has needs for variety once in a while. But if it upsets you that much I will do my best to be a faithful husband.”

“We’re not married.” She was still in shock and couldn’t think clearly.

“I have decided we should get married. I have never wanted that with anyone else. You can plan it. Money is no object.” He smiled as if giving her a great honor.

Anna shook her head and cried loudly. “You are crazy, Santiago. You just had my best friend killed. You always cheat on me. You threw me down the stairs and broke my ribs and you talk marriage!”

His eyes narrowed angrily and he slapped her across the face. “Watch your tone, Cara.”

Anna took a deep breath, coming back to the present. She told Blake and Victor with satisfaction. “That night I finally fought back. I couldn’t save Ben but I finally fought back. I just started hitting out at him. I’m sure I broke his pretty nose and I kicked him hard in the balls. I heard his screams as I ran out to the elevator. My duffel bag was still on the floor so I grabbed it, took a cab to an ATM machine, and got on a bus going out of town. I didn’t care where it was headed as long as it was away from Reno.”

“How long ago was that?” Blake wanted to know.

Anna had to think for a minute. “Maybe six or seven weeks ago. I took a bus going to Utah. I met a couple of college girls on the bus. I crashed with them for a few days then I bought a used car and I drove and ended up in Colorado, I think. For about three or so weeks I thought I was safe, but Kyle found me and ran me off the road. I got a little banged up and bought this truck. I was hoping to make it to Phoenix and change my look and move on from there.”

“Make a stand, Anna. Don’t you want your freedom?” Blake suggested. He held on to both her hands as if trying to give her some strength. “I have a buddy in the FBI and he works in that area. Let me contact him and see what he can find out off the record. Maybe he can help.”

Anna gave his hands a squeeze in silent thanks. It would feel good to have someone in her corner. She was tired of fearing for her life and she didn’t want to spend the rest of her days looking over her shoulder. “Okay but in the meantime what if Santiago sends his men here? A lot of people saw me at the diner and the bar. You know someone called it in by now. Hell, Blondie probably was the first caller.”

“Blondie?” Victor asked, looking confused.

Blake chuckled and looked at his brother. “We ran into Jenna at the steakhouse and Anna had a few words for her, pissed her off good.”

Victor laughed. “Good job, Anna. Jenna is a stuck-up bitch.”

Blake wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into his chest and closed her eyes. For just this one minute she felt safe and secure. “Trust me, Anna. I’ll protect you.”

She felt secure with Blake but she also knew Santiago was no easy adversary. Could she take the chance and stay here in Shady Grove? “I’m scared, Blake. Santiago has no honor.”

“I can fight dirty, too,” Blake assured her, looking grim and scary for a moment. His eyes narrowed in determination and he looked cold and hard.

Anna looked up at him. “Thank you, Blake. Your offer means a lot to me but we agreed to not get involved with each other. Why would you want to risk your life and help me? I’m just nobody to you.”

Blake turned to his brother. “Can you call Sam and ask him to go with you to get Anna’s stuff? Check her out of her room but don’t say where she is. Tell him to pack heat.”

Victor agreed and went outside to make the call, giving them privacy.

Blake led Anna to the couch and sat with her. “Forget all that stuff I spouted last night. I do care about you, Anna, I can’t help it. I didn’t plan it but the feeling is there. Let’s put the serious discussion of us on the back burner and get you out of this mess. Later we can talk about our own plans.”

It was so hard to put her trust in Blake. Ben had been her only ally her whole life and now he was dead. What if Blake or Victor got hurt? She’d never forgive herself. But what would it feel like to be free of Santiago once and for all? She could go home or anywhere she wanted. She took a deep breath and let it out. Everything in life was a risk so she just had to take her chances and hope for the best. Even if this didn’t work, she would know Blake had tried and that he cared about her. She knew she had deep feelings for him, too, and she wanted a chance. Santiago had always told her. “Everything in life is a gamble, Anna Marie. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t. It’s that simple.”

That had probably been the only true statement he had said to her.

She grabbed Blake’s hand and gripped it tightly. God she hoped she was doing the right thing. If she made a mistake they could all die. “Okay.”

That one word wasn’t loud or full of confidence but Blake was willing to take it. It was a start.

Chapter 9

Sam and Victor came with her black duffel bag less than an hour later. She had been on pins and needles worrying about them even though Blake told her Sam was a hell of a shot and Victor could fight his way out of anything.

Anna was nervous when they finally walked in Blake’s front door but they both looked unharmed. She felt a little more at ease now that they were here. Sam set her bag on the floor carefully and gave her a reassuring smile. Victor must have filled him in on what was going on. “Did you get my guns?”