The Viper

by Velvet Vaughn

  “Stay there and keep out of sight. I’m on my way right now.”

  “Thank you, Kellan.”

  He pulled out of the lot and merged onto the Interstate. He hadn’t missed being a cop until this moment. He could really use flashing lights and a siren to clear the way. He drove a healthy fifteen miles an hour over the speed limit, twenty-five when a flashy red Beemer passed and he rode his tail. Traffic was heavy but moving along at a rapid pace. The voice on the navigation system told him to take the next exit, so he changed lanes and followed a line of cars down the off-ramp. He spotted the sign for the truck stop and turned in, dodging cars, semis and recreational vehicles in the busy lot. He found a parking spot on the end with the pancake restaurant. After backing in, he got out slowly and canvassed the area, looking for dark four-door sedans. Several big rigs were parked in a line, while others waited in line for the gas pumps. The flow of vehicles was steady. This place was a gold mine.

  “You looking for someone?”

  He turned at the voice to see a young African American boy leaning against the side of the building. He wore a Lakers sweatshirt and a backwards hat. The boy studied him with narrowed eyes.

  “I am.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Kellan.”

  The boy nodded and glanced around. “Follow me.”

  He trailed after the kid, scanning the restaurant, looking for any sign of Annabelle. Other than her driver’s license picture and the ones on her phone, he’d not gotten a good look at her in person. She’d been wearing a hat when he ran into her, but he’d never forget her eyes.

  “Sit here.” The boy indicated a booth. He slid onto the cracked orange Naugahyde bench.

  The boy turned to leave. “Wait—where are you going?”

  “Be right back.”

  He waited until the boy disappeared into the kitchen before he stood and craned his neck, searching for any sign of Annabelle. There were a few people eating dinner, but for the most part, the restaurant was empty. He was just about to go hunting when the boy returned with someone wearing another Lakers sweatshirt with the hood up.

  “Kellan?”

  He released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Annabelle.”

  She ran into his arms and he hugged her tightly. Suddenly, her body stiffened and she pulled away. “Wait—you called me Annabelle.”

  “It’s your name, isn’t it?”

  She winced. Busted. “How did you find out?”

  “When we got disconnected, I had my office trace your phone. I went to your motel and gathered your belongings.”

  She gasped and clutched his arm. “Was…everything there?”

  She didn’t say the money but he understood her intent. “Yes. Your purse is safe in my hotel room.”

  Her shoulders sagged in relief and she dropped onto the padded seat. “I was so afraid the manager would clear everything out. He helped the men who kidnapped me.”

  “I know.” He slid into the seat across from her. Damn, her eyes were amazing. A blue so crystal and clear, he could get lost in them. Unconsciously, he reached for her hands and she clung to him. “I had a talk with him. The men told him they were bounty hunters and that you were a criminal who’d skipped bail.”

  “And he believed them?”

  “Yeah, without proof. Pretty sure I put the fear of God in him.” His thumbs rubbed circles over her soft skin. “How did you get away?”

  “One of the men had a syringe. He drugged me…or tried to. The needle barely pricked my skin and most of the liquid dribbled down my neck. Still, it was enough to knock me out. I woke up when they stopped to get gas. I waited until they went inside then made a run for it.” She told him about Andre taking the man’s money and leading him on a wild goose chase.

  “That was quick thinking for someone so young.”

  “And brave. The men are scary.”

  He didn’t like that she’d been injected with a drug, no matter how small the dosage. “You need to go to the hospital to be checked out. There’s no telling what drug they used or the lingering effects.”

  Her eyes widened. “No, I can’t. I’d have to give my name.” She shook her head. “I don’t feel strange or nauseous, just a little tired.” At his narrowed glare, she added, “I promise I’ll tell you if I start to feel queasy.”

  He wanted to argue but she was right. She’d have to fill out all kinds of forms. With the men after her, she needed to stay off the radar as much as possible.

  She sighed and leaned back against the cushioned booth. “I ditched my car at the airport, so how does my stepbrother keep finding me?”

  “Your phone. With very little know-how, they’re pretty easy to trace. I checked for any tracking devices in your belongings, but they were clean.”

  “My phone. Why didn’t I think of that?”

  #

  Annabelle relaxed for the first time in what seemed like forever. It might be lingering effects of the drug, as Kellan suggested, or it could be the strong, handsome man sitting across from her in the cracked orange vinyl both in the busy truck stop outside of Los Angeles. He was just so—capable. That word instantly popped into her head. She had no doubt he could handle anything that came his way. Maybe he wouldn’t have to if Robbie couldn’t track her anymore. Why hadn’t she thought about her phone sooner?

  She glanced at Kellan again. Not only was he easy on the eyes, but he’d recovered her money and he made her feel safe. How she could trust someone she just met so completely was a mystery, but she didn’t question it. Somehow, she’d known from the moment she spotted him at the airport that her life would never be the same. She wanted to crawl across the table and into his strong arms. The urge was overwhelming in its intensity. She’d never felt anything like it.

  Her stomach took that opportunity to growl, jarring her from her thoughts. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate. The pancakes looked delicious and the bacon smelled divine.

  “Are you hun—”

  Andre came rushing back inside and grabbed her arm, tugging her from the seat. “Annabelle, get up! You gotta hide. The men are back. I just saw them get out of the car.”

  Kellan was out of the booth in a flash, ushering them both inside the kitchen. Kerry, Andre’s mom, looked up from cutting a pie, her eyes widening.

  “Andre, what are you doing?”

  “Those men who kidnapped Annabelle are back. She needs to hide.”

  The knife Kerry had been holding clattered to the counter. “You have to hide, too,” she insisted. “They’ll be mad you led them astray. Follow me.” The cook looked up from the griddle but went back to flipping pancakes, uninterested in the drama. Kerry herded them into a pantry lined with shelves that were stocked with food and supplies. “Over here. Behind the pallets. Crouch down. I’ll be right back.”

  Annabelle dropped to the floor behind the wooden crates with Andre but Kellan wasn’t with them. She jumped to her feet. “Kellan? What are you doing?”

  “They don’t know who I am, so I’m running interference.” He grabbed a green apron off a hook and tied it on. “I’ll pretend to be inventorying the shelves.”

  Andre’s mom returned with a colorful quilt. Annabelle plopped back down and gathered Andre close to her side as Kerry shook out the blanket and covered them. She heard Kellan instruct the woman to keep the lights on.

  “Good idea,” Andre’s mom said. “Here’s a clipboard to write on. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out.”

  It was stuffy under the blanket with Andre pressed against her side, but Annabelle couldn’t stop the shiver that crept down her spine. If the men found her, they might kill her this time. And Andre. And Kellan.

  “I won’t let them get to you,” Kellan murmured, obviously reading her thoughts.

  “Me, either,” Andre piped up. She hugged him tighter.

  “Get ready,” Kellan whispered. “I hear raised voices.”

  Annabelle clutched Andre’s hand as hinges crea
ked. They’d opened the door. She held her breath.

  “What the hell, dude?” Kellan exclaimed in a Texas accent that she’d think was real if she didn’t know better. Actually, she didn’t. Maybe he was from the Lone Star State.

  “We’re looking for someone.” She recognized Thug B’s voice.

  “An escaped criminal. She’s extremely dangerous,” Thug A added and she rolled her eyes. She wasn’t the dangerous one.

  “You guys cops?” Kellan questioned.

  “Yeah, sure,” Thug B lied. “Have you seen this woman?”

  Apparently one of the Thug bros showed Kellan a picture of her. There was a low whistle. “Damn shame she’s a criminal. She’s a looker,” Kellan drawled. Another shiver ran down her spine, a delicious one this time. “Nah, I haven’t seen her. Wouldn’t mind running into her, if you know what I mean.” He added a guffaw that cut off abruptly. “Hey man, what are you doing. Get your hands off me.”

  Annabelle’s heart rate kicked up. They were going to hurt Kellan. She grabbed the edge of the quilt, ready to surrender so they’d leave him and Andre alone when Thug B spoke.

  “You’re going to help us search this truck stop. And if you try anything funny, I’ll blow off your kneecaps.”

  “Cops can’t just go around shooting kneecaps off tax-paying citizens. Okay, okay, don’t get your panties in a twist,” Kellan grumbled. “I don’t mind helping you fine officers search. I’ll come along peacefully.”

  The sound of retreating footsteps, followed by the slamming of the door, told her that the men were gone. That was good. But they took Kellan with them. That was bad.

  “He’ll be okay,” Andre assured her. “The guy’s a beast. I bet he could take them both with one hand tied behind his back.”

  She smiled and squeezed him harder. “I bet you’re right.” Her grin faded. “Andre, I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”

  “Are you kidding? This is totally lit!”

  “Lit? As in on fire?”

  “As in the most fun I’ve had here in like, ever.”

  Being chased by gun-toting kidnappers wasn’t her idea of fun.

  “And besides, I made fifty bucks.”

  She laughed softly. He’d be making more because she would see to it that his college fund was paid for as soon as she had access to her fortune. His random act of kindness very likely saved her life.

  “What do you want to be when you grow up, Andre?”

  “A professional basketball player. Or an astronaut.”

  “Both admirable professions.”

  “Or a video game designer.”

  She smiled. “That would be fun.”

  “Yeah, my mom said I spend so much time playing games, I should learn how to create them. What do you do?”

  “I work with computers.”

  “Cool. That’d be awesome, too.”

  A knock on the door had her fumbling with the blanket to make sure they were covered, but Kerry’s voice calmed her nerves. “They’re gone for now. They took that man with them to search the convenience store next door. You should be safe taking off the blanket. I’m sure it’s hot under there.” She helped Annabelle tug it off their heads. The fresh air felt good. It’d been getting toasty under there. “Keep it close in case they come back. It won’t take them long to search.” She reached into her uniform pockets. “Here.” She handed them both a can of soda and a package of cheese and peanut butter crackers. “I’ll be back when it’s safe to leave.”

  They ate their snacks and sipped the drinks while they chatted about Andre’s dream to become the next Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

  “I’ve met LeBron James,” she told him.

  His eyes widened to saucers. “No, you did not.”

  “Sure did.”

  “Where, when?”

  “A few months ago. My stepfather has season tickets.” Actually, he owned a luxury suite. It was a different experience watching a game from there. No crowded bleachers, no long lines at the concession stand or restrooms. You didn’t have to worry if the rabid fan behind you kept his thumb pressed on the button of an airhorn all night or if the person beside you jabbered on their cell the entire game. The suites featured high definition televisions in case you didn’t want to gaze out the glass to the live game below, padded seats, granite bars, air conditioning and a wait staff on call. Actually, now that she thought about it, she guessed the suite was hers now, too. “My stepdad was very sick and one of his friends arranged for LeBron to meet him.” It was one of the last trips he’d make out of the house, besides the hospital.

  Andre was hanging on her every word. “Wow.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, wow. He was humble and kind, signed autographs and posed for pictures. He even gifted my stepfather with a game jersey.” She could still picture the smile on Rob’s face. He’d been a LeBron fan even before he’d signed with the Lakers. The trip to the Staples Center had worn him out, but it’d been worth it to see joy light up his eyes.

  “Man, I wish I could meet him.”

  Though Rob had treasured that game jersey, Annabelle knew that it would make him happy to see it go to someone who would appreciate it as much as he had. She made a mental note to send it to Andre. “Maybe you’ll play against him someday.”

  A knock sounded on the door and then it opened to reveal Kellan’s handsome face. “They’re gone. Let’s get out of here.”

  She stood and shook out her sore legs. “What about Andre? They might come back for him.”

  “They think he was with one of the truckers. They have no idea he’s here. I doubt they’ll be back.”

  Her shoulders sagged with relief. She didn’t want the sweet boy or his mother in danger because they helped her. She returned Andrés’ borrowed sweatshirt and said goodbye with hugs and exchanges of phone, email and mailing addresses. Kellan handed her a hat he picked up at the convenience store that depicted a skull and crossbones with the slogan: Certified Badass Truck Driver.

  “Great,” she deadpanned. “Thanks.” She twisted her hair in a knot and tucked it under the hat as she settled it on her head. The jacket he wrapped around her shoulders was at least three sizes too large, but it was, thankfully, slogan-free. Annabelle jolted when his hand touched the small of her back to guide her outside. He opened the passenger door and helped her in, making sure she buckled up before he rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s seat.

  He started the engine and she placed her hand on his arm, almost jumping at the contact of skin on skin. It felt like little electric shocks shooting up from her fingertips. “Thank you for coming for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t agreed to help me. And I’m sorry I lied about my name.”

  He glanced over at her. “I understand and no thanks necessary, but you’re welcome.”

  “But I do have to thank you, Kellan. You canceled your trip home because of me.”

  One light brown brow raised. “How did you know that?”

  “I spoke with someone in your office. I lost your business card, but I remembered the name of your company, so I looked them up and called.”

  “Probably BeBe. She’s the heartbeat of the company and keeps us running smoothly.”

  “That name sounds right. She was very nice.” She realized she was still holding his arm so she pulled her hand free, instantly mourning the loss of his body heat. Her fingers were still tingling. “I want to hire your company—you specifically. I can give you a down payment, but I can’t pay the full fees yet.” She assumed. She had no idea how much it cost to hire private security. Mr. Windham had taken care of Andy’s retainer. The unhelpful jerk she spoke with at Cable Security told her that the man she was supposed to meet would have the information for her.

  “We’ll work something out.” He put the SUV in drive and navigated around the busy truck stop to the Interstate on-ramp. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s going on and why there are men after you.”

  She did owe him an explanation, but where to start
?

  “How about at the beginning?”

  Her head snapped to his. Apparently, she said that out loud. With a deep breath, she launched into the spiel. “My stepfather, Rob, passed away recently. He was…wealthy. He left everything to me instead of his biological son, Robbie.”

  Kellan glanced over at her. He didn’t seem surprised by the information. “That had to piss him off.”

  She turned to stare out the window at the passing scenery. “Understatement.”

  “Did Robbie’s father leave him anything or did he completely cut him out of the will?”

  “He left him family heirlooms, but as far as cash, only a million dollars.”

  Kellan sputtered. “Only?”

  “It doesn’t seem like much when you consider Rob’s net worth. Plus, Robbie honestly thought he’d inherit everything since he was the only blood relative. Rob was my stepfather, but he never officially adopted me.”

  “So that’s motive. Question is, what’s his end game?”

  “He wants me dead before the will clears probate so he can claim the inheritance.”

  “Ah. Now it all makes sense. I’ll get our lawyers on the case, see if there’s anything they can do to speed the process along. I’ll keep you safe until then.”

  The first spark of hope since the reading of the will flared to life inside her. Maybe there was a way out of this mess. Kellan made her feel safe and hopeful. Now she had no doubt fate played a part in their meeting.

  “Full disclosure,” Kellan said, glancing over at her as he moved to the right lane and exited the freeway. “I went through your phone looking for information on you when you went missing. I saw the video you recorded.”

  “That was Robbie, my stepbrother. He was meeting with a man called Bixby. I don’t know if that’s a first or last name. I think he’s Rob’s bookie or loan shark, I’m not sure which. But Robbie owes him five million dollars.”

  Kellan’s jaw dropped open. “Five million?”

  A horn tooted and Kellan faced forward and accelerated through the intersection.

  “Now you can see why a one-million-dollar inheritance meant nothing to him. Plus, Bixby’s charging interest for every day that goes by without payment.”