Free Nowhere To Run (To Protect And Serve) by Mary Eason Page B

stumbled over the admission.
    Riley didn’t answer. “Did you recognize the man? Perhaps he’s someone you’ve met in the past. ”
    “No, I’ve never seen him before, I’m sure of it. But there was something familiar about him. When he brushed against me, it gave me the creeps. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me go.”
    “Would you recognize him again if you saw him?”
    She hesitated then shook her head. “Yes, I think so.”
    “What happened after he let you go?”
    “There were two men other with him. Standing next to a dark limo parked just a little ways from us. The man spoke to the others – not in English but Spanish.”
    “Did you understand what he said?”
    Jordan hesitated long enough for the detective in him to become suspicious. “No,” she said at last. “Not really, but I did get the license plate on the limo.”
    “You did? That’s good. “He jotted the number down. “I’ll check it out. Hopefully I’ll be able to find out something about the man, but don’t get your hopes up.” He warned.
    “Why? You think he wouldn’t have used his real name to reserve the limo?” 
    “I think there’s a very good chance of it, yes .”
    “ There’s something else. The man spoke Spanish to the others. But it wasn’t so much the language that bothered me, but some of the terminology he used. I’ve heard Caesar say the same things when he’s spoken to his family.”
    “ It’s not that uncommon, you know. Lots of people in New York come from Columbia.”
    “Yes. But how many of them would know our names. And not everyone has Caesar’s family…”
    “ His family history?” He finished for her.
    ***
    Riley’s sultry gaze slipped over her. Blocking him out was impossible. She couldn’t concentrate with him near. His presence seemed to fill every spare inch of space around her.
    He’d seen something in her that troubled him. He stepped closer, invading her personal space.
    “ I need to get you out of here.” He’d moved closer. His nearness caught her off guard. Her breath stopped as did the protest she’d been about to make.
    After Caesar’s indiscretions – the callous disregard he’d showed for her feelings, Jordan thought she’d lost the ability to feel anything for another man. Much less desire. But she’d been wrong.
    Her ribcage tightened and adrenaline rushed through her body when Riley’s warm breath fanned her cheek.
    She closed her eyes, her stomach plummeted and she fought to appear unshaken. “ No. I’m fine. I will be fine.” She amended
    “ No, you won’t,” he insisted. “Your life’s in danger every second that you’re with him. You’ve seen what he’s capable of doing--”
    “ He won’t hurt me.” A tiny fissure of apprehension moved along her spine. She wasn’t sure of that. She squared her shoulders and tried to appear strong. “He wouldn’t risk the public scandal that would cause.”
    “Are you willing to bet your life on it?” He slid his hand around her wrist holding her there when she tried to move away. “Because I’m not. And unless we can come up with some hard evidence proving Santiago responsible, he’s going to walk away from Jeremy’s death scot-free.”
    “What do you mean?” Suddenly, she dreaded his next words.
    “What I mean is , so far, nothing about your brother’s life or death adds up.”
    While her thoughts still reeled with implication, he continued in a voice so low she almost didn’t catch the words.
    “D id you know Jeremy was arrested six months ago for possession?”
    ***
    “I beg your pardon…” The disbelief in her voice could’ve been faked, but the body language wasn’t. Jordan had no idea what he was talking about. At least not consciously.
    Riley put his hands on her shoulders and started to work on the tension she didn’t realize was there. “You didn’t know, did you ?” he answered for her.
    “ No -– that can’t be.” she denied vehemently. “I was never notified