“She was his instructor.”
“Really? The Olympic goddess? I’m impressed. Tell me more of the story.”
“Jamal’s brother was heavily involved with the Eighty-Sixers and was trying to recruit Jamal. Peyton was determined that wouldn’t happen. We took him to his apartment to grab his belongings when his brother appeared. He’d been shot in a gang war. He planned on taking Jamal out with him and aimed his gun. I covered Jamal and took the bullet. His mother heard the shot and thought I was trying to hurt Jamal. She came at me with a baseball bat.” He rubbed his head.
“Oh my God. Were you hurt?”
“In a coma for a few days. Bullet in the hip. But I’m fine now.”
“Good.”
He didn’t want to talk about his injuries any longer. “You said swimming was Jamal’s second favorite topic of conversation. What’s his first?” He’d need to learn all his likes and dislikes, favorite foods, colors, the whole nine yards.
“You.”
That humbled him. To know he’d made that much of an impact on the boy’s life was deeply rewarding. They were silent for a few minutes. “What brought you to Detroit from New York?”
When she didn’t answer, he pushed to his elbow. She was sound asleep.
Lying back down, he contemplated their next move. After they visited the police station, he’d take Jamal back to Chicago with him. Kenzie probably had somewhere she’d need to be, like a job. She mentioned being a New Yorker, but he knew next to nothing about her. He planned on finding out soon.
Declan woke up when someone slammed a door outside. He glanced at his watch to see he’d slept most of the day away. Kenzie and Jamal were still out. They wouldn’t make it to the police station today. He fired off a text to Detective Fuller informing him they’d be in tomorrow.
Fuller replied quickly that he’d see them then.
Jamal shot up and frantically searched the room. “Declan?”
He rolled off the bed. “I’m here, bud.”
Jamal’s small shoulders sagged as he plopped down on the edge of the mattress. Jamal launched himself into his arms and he hugged the boy tightly.
“I dreamed that Jamarcus shot you again and I couldn’t wake you up.”
“I’m fine.”
“Declan?”
“Hum?”
“I don’t want to live with my mom again.”
Declan didn’t have the heart to tell him about her yet. Jamal needed time to process his aunt’s death first. “What would you say about living with me?”
Jamal jerked back to search his face, his eyes wide with hope. “Really? You’re not punking me?”
“Nope. I’m not punking you. I’m serious.”
“You’d let me stay with you?”
“Absolutely.”
Jamal let out a cry and hugged him again, his arms squeezing so tight Declan was having trouble catching his breath. A sniffle had him turning to see Kenzie awake and watching them and he lost his breath again for a totally different reason. Even with bedhead and crease marks on her cheeks, she was stunning. He couldn’t look away. Her long, thick hair was the shiny black of a raven’s wing, her eyes a light gray inside a heart-shaped face. He hadn’t had a chance to check her out before. He was looking now. He wanted to breach the distance and cover her lips with his. She’d taste like the richest honey, all succulent and—
“Kenzie, did you hear that? Declan’s letting me live with him.”
“I heard. That’s exciting.”
He turned back to Declan with a hopeful look on his face. “Can I call Peyton and tell her?”
“How about we surprise her instead. We’ll be living close to her and Noah and Ethan.”
“What? Seriously?” Jamal spread his arms wide and dramatically flopped backwards to the mattress. “I’m so happy!”
That’s all Declan ever wanted for Jamal—for him to be safe and happy.
Chapter Seven
While Declan left the motel room to find them something to eat, Kenzie removed her computer from her bag to check her email. Jamal had begged to go with Declan but they both nixed that quickly. If the gang members were after him, it was better if he stayed hidden. She was glad Declan postponed their trip to the police station. Jamal needed the rest, as did she.
Jamal showered and she could hear him singing horrendously off-key. It brought a smile to her face. Ah, the resilience of children. Despite all that had happened, he was overjoyed to be living with Declan, whom he clearly idolized. It was equally obvious Declan cared deeply for him, too. It was such a special relationship.
Once her laptop booted up, she connected to the motel wi-fi and opened her email. Several messages were from Bernadette Weldon asking if she’d made her decision yet. Kenzie ignored them. She opened one from Sue Li, one of her former assistants. Management reassigned Sue Li when Kenzie was fired—no matter how they tried to spin it, that’s what happened. She scanned the message, trying not to be too delighted to discover her entire client list had jumped ship. Wow. They were all moving to other agencies, many waiting to see where she ended up. No wonder Bernadette was so anxious for her response.
She sent a quick reply to Sue Li to let her know she was dealing with personal issues regarding her aunt’s death. She didn’t elaborate but told her she’d be back in touch when she could. Scrolling through her email list, she found messages from Stuart Ellis and Sissy Carrington, her two biggest authors, as well as ones from many others. They all wanted to know what really happened and where she was headed next.
Good question. Right now, she had no answers, nor the energy to deal with the masses. She closed the laptop and slid it back inside her bag just as Jamal emerged from the bathroom wearing one of the cheap t-shirts they picked up at the department store. “Don’t you look dapper, all shiny and clean.”
Jamal’s brows crinkled. “What does that mean?”
She smiled. “It means you look very nice.”
He ducked his head with embarrassment. “Thanks.”
He was too cute. His reaction was the same when she complimented him during their first meeting. She wondered if his mother had shown him any affection at all growing up.
There was a light knock on the door and Kenzie reached for the gun. She didn’t like having it out when Jamal was around, but she needed to be able to protect him. Her reaction spurred his and he hurried to her as a key slid in the lock. The door opened to reveal Declan and she sighed in relief and stashed the weapon on a shelf in the closet out of sight and Jamal’s reach. Jamal ran to help carry bags of food that smelled delicious. He’d requested macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets. Declan found a place that served both, along with green beans, mashed potatoes and hot rolls. He’d even thought to grab plates, plastic utensils and napkins. They spread the containers on the small table and filled their plates. After they ate, she and Jamal watched television while Declan showered. He’d stopped at a store to purchase a change of clothes and toiletry items for himself.
She tried to focus on the cartoon animals Jamal was laughing along with, but when the shower kicked on, all her thoughts were on the man inside the stall. Naked. She tried to stop the images from forming in her brain, but they popped up unbidden. She didn’t even know him. Why was she picturing ripping the curtain back and running her hands all over his slick skin? She knew he’d be shredded with muscles and the picture of male virility, but she had no right to lust after him. He could be married with fifteen kids for all she knew.
Jamal laughed at something the dog on the screen said, snapping her from her thoughts. It took an effort, but she concentrated on the television even as the water stopped and the door opened, letting out a puff of steam. She told herself not to look but her eyes were drawn to the entry, waiting for Declan to appear. When he did, her tongue almost hit the floor. He was glorious with stubble or freshy shaven, as he was now. The t-shirt hugged his abundant muscles and the blue jeans hung low on his trim hips. He looked eminently appealing.
“Next.”
Oh right, it was her turn. Unfolding her legs, she stood and grabbed the items she’d placed in a pile on the dresser, passing by him on the way to the bathroom. He smelled delicious and her steps faltered. It was a heady mix of soap, a subtle tang of spice and all male. She could get drunk on the scent. Stumbling inside, she closed the door before falling back against it. She needed to get her raging hormones under control. Dangerous men were after Jamal. She didn’t have the luxury of yearning after a virtual stranger.
She bathed quickly, a habit she’d picked up from working out at a gym and showering before taking the subway home. After brushing her hair and fastening it into a ponytail, she considered not wearing a bra for comfort, but decided it wasn’t wise in a room with two males. Besides, Declan told them that they’d be sleeping in their shoes and clothes in case they needed to make a quick exit. She sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case.
As she was brushing her teeth, she heard Declan say, “Jamal, stay away from the window.”
“Did you park Kenzie’s car on the other side of the parking lot?”
“Yes.”
She stepped out of the bathroom, her toothbrush in hand. “Why?” she asked around a mouth full of paste.
“So it would be harder to tell which room you were staying in if the gang happened to drive by and spot it in the lot.”
“Oh, good idea.” She returned to the sink to spit and then wiped her mouth with a towel before she headed back to the main room. “I would’ve never thought about that.” But she should have. Her job was reading mysteries and thrillers, and when she had the chance to turn on the television, she picked those types of shows to watch, too.
“You left a light on inside the car.”
Declan moved to the window. “I know I closed and locked the doors.”
“See?” Jamal pointed.
“Yeah, I do. Someone’s hotwiring it.” Declan turned to them with a grim look. “Both of you, stay here.” He shoved the gun she stole from the gang member in the back of his jeans and pulled his shirt to cover it. He unlocked the door and checked outside before jogging across the lot.
Swiping her phone off the table, she cracked the door so she could hear what was happening in case Declan needed help.
“Hey, kid,” he called out. “Stop. That’s my vehicle. Get out of there.”
The dome light highlighted a teenager as he sat upright with a look of triumph just as the motor started. Great. She’d have to file a stolen vehicle report with the rental company and the cops. Her insurance rates would no doubt double, too.
A deafening boom sounded, and Kenzie stared in horror as the car exploded into a giant flaming ball of fire.
#
When Declan heard the engine turn over, he knew he wouldn’t reach the kid before he jacked the car. At least it was a rental and not Kenzie’s personal vehicle. It’d be a hassle to file the reports and rent another one, but it could’ve been worse.
The kid flashed an evil smile and flipped the bird as he shoved the car into drive. It erupted into a massive fireball, the shock waves sending Declan careening backwards through the air until he landed heavily on the pavement with a grunt. He covered his face to avoid pieces of metal and bits of glass and rubber raining down. Shaking his head to clear the ringing in his ears, he froze when headlights flicked on, pinning him in their bright white beacons. An engine revved.
“Declan!” Kenzie screamed.
“Go back inside to the bathroom and take cover,” he yelled, already moving as the car accelerated and bullets peppered the pavement around him. Ignoring the various aches from his hard landing, he managed to roll behind a parked car and then push to a crouch as glass shattered from the motel windows where the shooter now aimed. He prayed Jamal and Kenzie listened to him and had taken cover. As the car approached, he glanced around the bumper and fired into the windshield. It splintered but didn’t shatter and the car kept coming. Diving to the ground, he rolled under the parked car and came up on the other side as they passed him. The glass might be bulletproof, but the tires weren’t. He aimed for the back one sending the car fishtailing until it slammed into another vehicle. The driver kept going, squealing out of the lot on three good wheels.
People were pouring out of the motel, some screaming, whether from the bullets or the exploding car, he wasn’t sure. Cops would be here any minute, but the men might come back. They couldn’t afford to find out which would arrive first.
The door to their room was closed but the window had been completely shattered, glass littering the ground and the curtain fluttering in the breeze. Leaping through the opening, he called out, “Kenzie? Jamal?”
“We’re in here.”
They emerged from the bathroom clinging to each other looking shellshocked. Kenzie took in the damage to the room with shattered glass fragments and bullet holes in the walls.
“Grab your things. We need to get out of here.”
“We’ve got them,” she said. “We packed your things in Jamal’s bag, too.” Her bag was slung over her shoulder. He took the backpack from Jamal, grabbed his hand and led them from the room.
More people had congregated outside, most gathering to watch what was left of the burning car which provided a good distraction. He guided them around the building and headed across the street to the closed strip mall. A fast food restaurant was open, but he didn’t want to go inside. He needed to call for a cab. It was too late for any car rental agencies to be open. He didn’t know how big of a group they were dealing with. There might be people watching the airports and bus terminals. It would be easier to get lost in the crowd during the day.
“Where are we going?” Jamal asked as he kept them to the shadows.
“Not sure yet.”
“How did they find us?” Kenzie asked.
“Could the men who tried to grab Jamal at the diner have tailed you?”
She shook her head emphatically. “They were both down on the ground when we left. I made sure they didn’t follow.”
“Maybe they planted a device on your car. Or…do you have your phone?” Jamal’s had burned up in the fire that killed his aunt.
She nodded.
“Give it to me.”
“You think they traced it?”
“It’s possible.”
“How would they know my name?”
“They could’ve run the license plate and gotten the information from the rental agency or checked who owned the condo next to LaTonya’s unit.”
“You think this gang is that sophisticated?”
“Unfortunately, yeah,” he responded. After he’d recovered from his coma, he did some research on the Eighty-Sixers. Their reputation was brutality with no regard for laws or human life. He shuddered to think of Jamal being recruited to join their ranks.
After she dug the phone from her bag, she placed it in his palm.
“Anything important on here that you can’t live without?”
“I already forwarded the picture from the fire to Detective Fuller. The rest is backed up to the cloud.”
He popped the sim card out and snapped it in half. “Sorry about this.” After dropping the phone on the concrete, he crushed it under his heel. Kenzie hissed but didn’t protest. He scooped the pieces up and deposited them in three different trash bins they passed.
Sirens keened as firetrucks and police cars raced to the motel. They kept walking. He stopped outside a diner where there was enough light to be safe but not enough to be caught and called for an Uber. It would be less conspicuous than a cab. He got an instant response that said Nomar Pena would pick them up in a blue minivan in five minutes. He thought about calling Detective Fuller, but he’d wait until they were safely inside another room. He used the time before the Uber arrived to research motels. He found one in Dearborn, approximately nine miles away.
When a blue minivan drove up a few minutes later, he asked to see the man’s driver’s license. The credentials matched the information on his phone. He h
anded it back and then helped Jamal and Kenzie inside. They all shared the middle seat and he smiled as Kenzie made sure Jamal buckled up.
Nomar Pena checked his display and then turned to face them. “You didn’t indicate a destination.” He eyed each of them, his brows narrowing.
Declan gave him the name of the motel.
“Okay, but before I go...” Pena opened his door, stepped out and turned to face them with a gun in his hand.
Declan tensed. Bloody hell, was he in league with the Eighty-Sixers? He palmed his weapon. He’d hate to shoot him in front of Jamal, but he’d do it to keep him safe.
“Step out of the vehicle, all of you. Keep your hands where I can see them. The lady first.”
Kenzie glanced at him and he gave a sharp nod. “Do what he says.”
Jaw clenched, she eased outside with her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Good, now the kid,” he said. “Any movements and I shoot.” When Declan opened his door, Pena shouted, “You all come out this side.”
With a sigh, he slid the gun in his pocket, hooked the backpack over his shoulder and climbed over the seats to exit beside Kenzie and Jamal.
“Hands up,” Pena insisted when his feet hit the pavement.
With a roll of his eyes, he lifted his arms. “What’s this about?”
Pena ignored him and addressed Jamal. “Hey little man. Are you under duress?”
Jamal glanced down at his clothes. “Uh, no, I’m wearing jeans.” He turned to Declan. “Why does the man think I’m wearing a dress?”
Before Declan could respond, Pena said, “No, Kid, I mean are they kidnapping you? You can be honest. I’ll protect you. They can’t hurt you anymore.”
Jamal’s eyes widened. “What? No, they aren’t kidnapping me. Why do you think that?”
“Because you’re shaking like a leaf and look like you’re running scared.”
Jamal moved closer until he was leaning against Declan’s side. “They’re not kidnapping me. They’re saving me.”
Pena’s gaze narrowed on the movement and he finally addressed Declan. “What’s going on here?”
Running Scared Page 7
