Free Moonlight by Lisa Kessler Page A

had to make my own plan. There was no one to rely on but myself, and being on my own was my way of life. I could figure something out.
    Creepy cat man’s threat to track me down echoed through my mind, and a chill crept down my back. I’d never been on the run from an actual murderer before. I’d been on the lookout for the gray riot gear, sure, and they definitely weren’t thrilled with me, but a tall, exotic-looking man with heightened senses who killed in cold blood? That added a whole dimension I wish I’d never confronted.
    Actually he confronted me, but either way, now that I knew he was out there, waiting for me, it made it much tougher to devise a plan and force myself to go outside again. Knowing the Starbucks was about to close was an effective impetus though. I needed to get back to the hotel.
    I wasn’t sure if Gabe’s killer knew which hotel I was staying in. He’d caught up with me at the library, but I didn’t have a clue how long he’d been following me. What if he was back at the hotel waiting for me to arrive? Adrenaline lit up my bloodstream.
    When my cell phone rang I almost fell off my chair. Yeah, I was the picture of calm and cool.
    I flipped open my phone, grateful to hear Adam’s voice. “Lana? Tell me how you found this guy. Are you all right?”
    “I’m okay, but don’t go to the hotel. I’m not sure it’s safe.”
    I could almost hear him frowning through the phone. “Where are you?”
    “I’m at the downtown Starbucks on Virginia Street.”
    “Good. Stay there. It’s well-lit and public.”
    I rolled my eyes. Why did he think I came in here in the first place?
    “They’re about to close, so hurry.”
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he said.
    I closed my phone and got up to throw away my cup when a thought struck me. If the creepy cat man was the one who attacked Gabe and then dumped him at the lake so we would find him, just how long had he been following me? What did he know of Adam?
    A cold chill shot down my spine.
    I collapsed back onto my chair, trying to make some sense of the jumbled facts floating around inside of my head. By the time the door opened, I’d lost all track of time. My gaze shot to the entrance, and my heart jumped at the sight of Adam. It was like all the problems plaguing me vanished for a split second when I saw him walking toward me. At that moment, I was incredibly grateful he couldn’t read my mind.
    Adam came to the table, walked right past the other chair, took my hand, and tugged me straight up into his arms. Instinctively, my own slid around him and my hands grazed up his back. While my brain was reprimanding me that I was already getting way too attached to this man, I couldn’t stop myself from accepting his comfort. Knowing I had someone in my corner was a new sensation. When he finally drew back, his voice was rough with emotion, and his gaze burned into mine. “I’m glad you’re all right. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
    My hold on him loosened as I took a step back. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I didn’t realize this guy was following me or I wouldn’t have left the hotel.”
    “We knew someone dumped Gabe off at the lake so we would find him,” he said. “I should’ve realized he’d still be following.” His hands clenched into fists at his side. “So who is he? Do you know—”
    “I’ll tell you everything I know,” I said as I grabbed my cell from the table and slid it into my pocket. I scanned the coffee shop. “But let’s get someplace safe so we can make a plan.”
    He nodded. “First we’ll find another hotel where he won’t find you.”
    “He claims he can track me anywhere.”
    Adam’s brow shot up. “I can track you too, but it’s tougher if we stay in crowded places. Too many scents to isolate a trail.”
    “I need to go back for my bag and my laptop.” Adam’s shoulders tensed up. I shook my head. “Don’t start. I need my laptop. All my work is in it. No