Free Accomplice by Kristi Lea Page B

of his complexion had a pale undertone. His linen
blazer was wrinkled and dirty. She wasn’t sure whether to run towards or away
from him. It was him in the alley just now.
    “We need to get off the streets.” He took her by
the elbow.
    The stoplight went green, and he led her calmly
across the traffic lanes. With a glance over his shoulder, he pushed open the
glass door to a drugstore and ushered her inside with his palm on the small of
her back.
    “Did you know that man?” His whisper from over her
shoulder low and his breath tickled her ear. It sent a shiver down her back
    “Shouldn’t you read me my rights first?”
    An older woman pushed past them with a miniature
shopping cart.
    Jessica pulled free from Noah’s grip. He let her
go immediately, and she nearly stumbled backwards into a display of shampoo
bottles. “What is going on, Grayson?”
    He crossed his arms over his chest and said
through gritted teeth. “That was my question.”
    “I don’t have to tell you anything. Not without my
lawyer.”
    He looked at something over her shoulder, then
grabbed her by the arm and pulled her farther into the store and away from the
front windows. “Fine. Don’t talk. I don’t care if the man from the alley is
your long lost love or a gang banger. But he won’t be happy to see me again,
that’s for damned sure.”
    She opened her mouth, but he pulled her around
behind one of the end caps that held a display of university logo merchandise.
He dug through the hangers of shirts.
    “Aren’t you going to arrest me?”
    Noah shoved a bright red shirt and a baseball cap
at her. “Not yet. Let’s go.”
    He headed for the cashier carrying a sweatshirt of
his own.
    Jessica glanced towards the front door. She
thought she saw a glimpse of light blue car amble slowly past. Whoever the goon
worked for, it wasn’t the FBI. Federal prison might be safer than visiting the
‘boss’. She hurried after Noah.
    “That will be twenty-two ninety-six,” said the
lady behind the counter. She had kind eyes and enough beard to make a teenage
boy jealous.
    Noah handed over some cash and shoved a shirt and
hat at Jess.
    She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
    “Those are yours.”
    “Um, I’ll pass.”
    “Just put them on.” At the door to what looked
like a rear parking lot, he quickly removed his jacket.
    Jess caught a glimpse of a leather gun holster
before he shrugged on a sweatshirt that was far too heavy for the hot day. The
sight of the gun made her stomach flutter. She followed suit and put her new
shirt and baseball cap on.
    Neither of them said a word as she followed him
down the street. The crowd was picking up now that church services were done
for the day. Jess startled every time she saw a man in khaki pants with a black
shirt.
    Finally, Noah pulled her close and wrapped a firm
arm around her waist, pulling her close against his tall, lean length. The
contact sent a thrill of something down her that she didn’t have time to
analyze.
    “Cut it out.” He whispered down into her ear. His
breath was warm and gentle on her neck. It felt like a lovers’ caress, not like
the words of a federal agent to a suspect.
    “Cut what out?” she said, trying to put space
between them.
    “Looking over your shoulder like you’re afraid
someone is following you.”
    “I am afraid someone is following me. Someone
attacked me in the alley just now, remember?”
    “I was there, remember?”
    “Not really. I was too busy running for my life.”
She tried to shrug off his arm again, but he kept a firm hold on her.
    They turned a corner. The street looked more
residential, with Victorian-style homes with round turrets and wide front
porches and manicured gardens with tiny gates. It was the kind of neighborhood
she had always loved looking at when she was a kid. The houses always looked so
clean and happy and welcoming.
     He paused in front of one with a Bed and
Breakfast sign over arched trellis that led to the front door. He