Free Worth Dying for (A Dying for a Living Novel Book 5) by Kory M. Shrum Page A

swears. “We shouldn’t have gone there. When he didn’t answer my call this morning, we should have moved right on to plan B.”
    “You mean our $3500 wardrobe was all for naught? $6000 if you count the loss of my dress.”
    He doesn’t even smile at my humor. I don’t know if it’s because he saw a dead body, if Luca was a friend, or because he’s frustrated by our lack of progress this morning.
    “Who are they?” I ask, my breath still hitching in my throat.
    “I can wager a guess or two.” He runs a hand through his hair and flashes me a lopsided grin.
    There’s something different about his face. It takes me a minute to realize it’s bare. “Your scarf!”
    “Keep yours.” He stops me from removing it by placing his hand over mine. “Your face is more recognizable than mine.”
    “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
    “The absolute best.” He glances over his shoulder. “I think we are in the clear.”
    I look back too, but see only power walkers with their paper cups of coffee marching in all directions. Most on cell phones. “They knew who I was. Why should I even wear this thing?”
    Gideon points at a woman in a black mink coat walking a Pomeranian. “She doesn’t know who you are. And she might have watched the news last night or this morning. Leave it on.”
    “Fine. But what’s up with the MIB?” I’m pleased he isn’t yelling at me for using my power this time.
    “They had American accents, so let’s cross off the long list of international agencies who are hunting me. That leaves us with CIA, FBI, the Secret Service, Caldwell’s lackeys, or perhaps the underling of some minor lord or another that I’ve offended. Perhaps even a businessman I’ve swindled or a drug boss with a particularly beautiful daughter.”
    I glare.
    “I see those brown eyes smoldering in their sockets.” Gideon flashes a tight smile. “I never claimed to be a saint, my love. In fact, I’ve often protested the notion.”
    “Your point?”
    “I have no idea who they were and what they want. They could want only me, or they could be after all of us. They knew your name and that is my only clue.”
    We round another corner, and I realize we are only a few blocks from the hotel.
    I place a hand on his arm. “We can’t go straight to the hotel.”
    “You’re right,” he says and casts a look around.
    A sharp pinch hits me in the middle of my back. “Ow!”
    I stumble forward and Gideon grabs one of my arms. “Are you all right?”
    “I got bit by a really big bee.” I try to turn and see what got me.
    “Hold still.” Gideon’s fingers smooth over my coat. “Fuck.”
    The drug hits me. My limbs thicken and mind slows. “Gideon—”
    I stagger.
    Gideon hoists me up and ducks into the nearest building. “Fight it, Rachel.”
    “I’m trying,” I slur. “I really am trying.” Gideon tries to carry me somewhere, but he doesn’t get far.
    More men in black—at least seven or eight—rush us. Gideon is forced to lay me down on the frosty ground and raise his hands over his head as they order. All I can make out are the dark shapes swelling and swallowing him whole. He’s being arrested, carted away, and I’m just laying here like an absolute twat.
    “No,” I murmur. I try to flick my wrist, to break Gideon free, but nothing happens. “No.”
    Someone bends down, peering into my face but I don’t recognize him. The room grows darker, falls quiet and I am helpless to resist.
    “Sweet dreams, Ms. Wright,” a pitiless voice says. “Sweet dreams.”

Chapter 10
    Jesse
    “ A nything?” I ask Ally as she comes into the lounge, her laptop under her arm.
    I’ve been laying on the stiff sofa contemplating my life since she left me to make the phone call. I’m doing my best to examine my options but I’m not getting very far.
    “Gideon is in custody, but Gloria doesn’t seem worried about that. She thinks he’ll be free soon. Rachel is M.I.A. Caldwell is busy.”
    “Busy with