Chasing a Dream

by Beth Cornelison

Tess shook her head adamantly. “I told you before, Randall has allies in the police department. He must. Too risky. We have to hide. Disappear.”

  “All right. Then plan B is we go to Austin.”

  “Austin?” She knitted her brow as she turned a stern gaze on him. “No, Justin. Don’t get your brother involved. Don’t put him at risk. It’s bad enough I’ve endangered your life.”

  “Do you have a better idea? You’ve been shot, and I’ve ripped my stitches. If we go to the hospital, they’ll have to file a report with the cops. We need money, food, rest, and time for a breather while we plan what to do next. I’m not suggesting we stay long, but we need to regroup.”

  Tess stared out the passenger-side window. She hated the thought of drawing anyone else into the horror show her life had become. Realizing how close she and Justin had come to losing their lives, she shivered. The notion of risking Brian’s life, too, riddled her conscience.

  But she trusted Justin and couldn’t think of any other option. After a moment, she sighed and turned back to him. “All right. We’ll go to your brother’s. But just for one night.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “You’ve lost your wife again?” Tony Morelli worked hard to contain his amusement.

  “Watch yourself,” Sinclair warned. “Or I’ll settle for your blood instead of Tess’s.”

  Morelli drew a hand over his mouth to conceal a satisfied smirk. “Any idea where she might have taken off to this time?”

  Who’d have thought that Sinclair’s wife would have the nerve and the smarts to escape from her husband twice? Sinclair had had the fancy new security system installed, so Tess’s escape surprised Morelli all the more.

  Sinclair’s wife had earned Morelli’s respect. She had gumption and guts. The extent to which her defection riled Sinclair intrigued Morelli, as well. He’d known the businessman lorded his power with an iron fist and abhorred any defiance, but something about his wife’s disappearance carried his vengeance to an extreme. Morelli had never seen Sinclair so obsessed with finding and controlling one certain person. Which meant either Sinclair thought he loved Tess, or Tess knew enough about Randall’s operation to destroy him.

  Morelli didn’t waste time with the notion that Sinclair could love his wife. Not like Morelli loved his Maria. Cold and hardhearted, the bastard couldn’t possibly appreciate what a good woman could mean to a man. So did Tess have inside information about Sinclair that could help Morelli ruin the miserable bastard? Interesting . . .

  Either way, Tess was a chink in Sinclair’s armor, a weakness that Morelli could use to his advantage. Staying in Sinclair’s circle of trusted employees remained essential until he knew he’d found Sinclair’s Achilles heel. But now Tess had provided a promising possibility. How could he use the situation to bring Sinclair’s empire down?

  “She’s got her lover with her.” Sinclair slapped on his desk a grainy picture taken from the security camera at his house. The dark-haired man in the picture was young, tall, handsome.

  Tess hadn’t done bad for herself.

  “His name is Justin Boyd, and I want both him and Tess brought back to me—dead or alive. Makes no difference to me.” Sinclair’s face seethed with rage. “But if I get my hands on them again, they’ll wish they’d died when they had the chance to take a bullet in the head.”

  Morelli knew a moment of pity for Tess and the young man she’d escaped with. Randall Sinclair’s legion of associates had any number of slow, agonizing ways to kill a person. He had witnessed, even caused, a number of those deaths himself. The sights and sounds of such torture were not for the squeamish.

  Tess and her lover would be lucky if he found them before any of Sinclair’s other men.

  Although he had enough information about Sinclair’s money laundering and drug smuggling operation to sink the powerful man, Morelli hadn’t figured out how to expose Sinclair without bringing himself down in the process. Tess was the key, the avenue he’d searched for to exact his revenge against Sinclair, ever since the bastard had struck out at Maria.

  “I’ll find them.” Morelli took the picture of the lover and folded it before he stuck it in his breast pocket. Then with a smirk, he added, “Trust me.”

  ***

  Justin pulled the Jaguar to a stop in the driveway of an isolated house on the state road he’d been driving then killed the engine.

  “Why’d we stop?” Tess asked, anxiety written in her wide, hazel eyes.

  “Can you drive? I’m not feeling so good.” Justin pressed his hand against his throbbing side. His stitches had ripped open during his struggle with Randall, and he’d grown progressively light-headed and weak as he drove, making it difficult to concentrate on the road.

  Tess’s eyes darkened with worry, and her gaze dropped to the drying bloodstain on his shirt. “Dear God, Justin, you were shot!”

  “No, I busted open the knife wound I got from the two guys who stole the Jimmy.”

  Tess’s mouth opened, and her eyes grew wider. “You were stabbed?”

  “Yeah. But a guy found me at the side of the road and called for help. I’ve been stuck at a hospital in Memphis, or I’d have come for you sooner.”

  She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, and her eyes misted. “Oh, Justin, how could I have ever thought . . .” She brushed her fingers along his jawline. “I thought you had taken the car . . . because of the money.” A tear spilled from her lashes as she leaned toward him. “I’m so sorry I doubted you. How could I have ever believed that you would do something like that?”

  “I guess the circumstances were incriminating.” Justin caught her fingers and kissed the palm of her hand. “How did Randall find you? What did you do?”

  “I called Randall’s secretary. She was my friend when I worked there, but she must have told him where I was, even though I begged her not to.”

  Justin dried the tears from her cheek with the pad of his thumb, his gaze thirstily drinking in the sight of her face. “I was so worried about you. One of the nurses called your house and found you there. I’ve never felt so helpless, so scared. As soon as I convinced the doctors to let me go, I caught the first bus to Texas.”

  He explained how he’d performed for patients for a fee and counted the days until his release. “I was so afraid I’d be too late.”

  “You almost were. Oh, Justin, how can I ever thank—”

  He covered her mouth with his hand. “Don’t thank me. All of this was my fault. I let those two jerks at the gas station snatch the Jimmy and your money right out from under my nose. I didn’t even see them coming, because I had my mind on . . . I don’t even remember what.” He sighed and squeezed his eyes closed. “If I’d been paying attention, maybe those guys—”

  “You said they had a knife! You were outnumbered and held at knifepoint. Justin, no car or money in the world is worth your life. I got you involved in this, and I’m sorry for—”

  This time he muffled her apology with a kiss, hard and deep and full of gratitude that they were still alive. “Let’s not debate faults, Tess. I’m just so glad to see you and know you’re okay.”

  Pulling her closer, he took her lips in a gentle embrace, restlessly shifting, re-angling, relearning the soft curves and sweet taste of her mouth. Tess sank her fingers into his hair and held him near, deepening their kiss and responding to his lips with desperation and passion. Her mouth flowered under the light caress of his tongue, and she welcomed his tender invasion, sagging against him. She hugged his neck while his hand mussed her hair with loving strokes.

  The sound of a passing car brought both their heads up and around in alarm. Justin recovered his composure, and he raked his hair out of his eyes, blowing a deep breath through pursed lips. “We should get moving again. Will you drive?”

  Tess nodded.

  He turned and opened the car door to get out, but Tess caught his arm. The wound in his side protested with a sharp ache as he twisted to face her again. Her eyes filled with tears, and his hear
t thudded anxiously.

  Framing his face with her hands, she moved close enough for him to feel her breath as she whispered, “Thank you. You really came through for me when I needed you. You’ve risked so much for me, and I’ll always be grateful.”

  Her words numbed him to any bodily pain, to their surroundings, to anything but the precious honesty in her eyes. She kissed him tenderly, sealing her declaration like a promise.

  She still trusted and believed in him, despite his failure to keep her safe. He grappled with an awe that warmed him from the inside out. So much could happen to destroy that faith, and he knew losing her respect would be the most painful wound he could suffer. Yet, eventually, he was bound to disillusion her. A lucky escape from Randall was one thing. Providing lasting security and stability to a deserving woman was another. Much as he might want to consider a future with Tess, his conscience told him not to promise her anything he couldn’t give. For now, she was stuck with him. She needed his protection until they could shake Randall’s henchmen and find her a safe new home. That much he’d do for Tess, even if he died trying. He heard his own heartbeat in his ears, heard his voice as he whispered his own promise. “You’re going to survive this, Tess. Somehow. I swear.”

  ***

  The Boyd children had all been cut from the same cloth, Tess thought the minute the thirty-fiveyear-old version of Justin opened the front door of his suburban Austin home. Except for the conservative, short haircut and eyes better described as gray than blue, Brian resembled Justin and Rebecca in every way. His face registered surprise, then curiosity, then concern, and finally irritation in a matter of seconds as his silver eyes scanned his brother and the woman with him.

  “Hey, Bri,” Justin said softly.

  Brian’s gaze flickered out to the driveway where the Jaguar with the broken rear window and crumpled front fender sat, and his dark eyebrows snapped together.

  “What the hell have you gotten yourself into now?” he said.

  Wary of Brian’s dark tone, Tess stayed behind Justin, scooting closer to him for reassurance.

  “Whose Jag is that? Where have you been the past few weeks? And why haven’t you checked in with anyone in the family?” He paused from firing questions long enough to give Justin a disgruntled look that morphed into a concerned frown. “Is that blood on your shirt? Dear God, are you hurt?”

  Justin waved him off. “I’ll be okay. Pulled some stitches, no biggie.”

  “Stitches. Why do you have stit—?”

  Justin raised a hand to interrupt. “I can explain everything.” He nodded toward the foyer. “Inside.”

  When Brian opened the door wider and stepped back, Justin waved a hand indicating Tess should go first. Hesitantly, she stepped into the ranch-style home that smelled of cinnamon potpourri. The cozy, country decor immediately wrapped her with warmth and welcome, and she experienced a pang of regret that she’d never enjoyed the same sense of home and belonging in the house she’d shared with Randall for thirteen years.

  She turned to Brian, who blinked at Tess as if noticing her for the first time.

  “Oh. Hi. I’m—” He awkwardly stuck his hand out to shake Tess’s then hesitated when his gaze landed on her shoulder. “You’re bleeding too. What happened?”

  “Tess, this is my brother, Brian. Brian, this is Tess.” Ignoring his brother’s question, Justin gestured with his hand as he made the introductions. An attractive blond-haired woman stepped out of the kitchen, and Justin added, “And this is Brian’s wife, Hallie.”

  Brian, wearing neatly creased khakis and a yellow polo-style shirt, stared at his brother, clearly at a loss for words and waiting for Justin to start explaining himself. The smile Hallie had worn when she greeted her company was lost in a gasp when she dropped her gaze to Justin’s bloody shirt. “Justin, what happened to you?”

  If not for Justin’s grip on her hand, Tess would have turned and left then and there. Her presence and the threat of violence that followed her violated the sanctity of Brian’s home.

  “Long story. Can we sit down?” Without waiting for an answer, Justin moved his hand to the small of Tess’s back and guided her toward the front room. He showed Tess to the overstuffed sofa and dropped tiredly beside her.

  “Why are you bleeding?” Hallie pressed. She hurried to Justin’s side and tried to tug up his shirt. “Shouldn’t you go to the hospital or something?”

  Working his shirt back down, Justin shrugged away from his sister-in-law. “Soon. It’s not as bad as it looks. I just . . .”

  When Justin paused and sighed, Brian jumped in. “Justin, some roughnecks have been at Mama and Dad’s earlier this week asking questions about Becca. Then yesterday, they were back asking where you were. Now you show up here in a trashed Jaguar, and the two of you are covered in blood and—”

  “We’ve been worried sick about you!” Hallie added.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want any of you involved in this, but I didn’t know where else to go.”

  Brian sat on the edge of a chair across from them and dragged a hand down his face. “So start explaining.”

  “It’s all my fault, I’m afraid,” Tess said, casting an apologetic look at Brian.

  Justin tensed and placed a hand on her knee. “No. None of this is your fault. You didn’t ask for this, and you’re not to blame. You did what you had to.” Lifting his gaze to Brian’s, Justin cut to the chase. “It’s Tess’s ex who’s the problem.”

  Tess briefly met the eyes that turned to her in question before dropping her own gaze to the floor. Her stomach fluttered, and she sought the reassurance of Justin’s presence by sliding her hand over his. He enveloped her fingers with a warm grip.

  “What about her ex? Are you two involved?” Brian’s tone sounded shocked, confused. “What about Amy?”

  Justin sighed. “We broke up a few weeks ago. It’s for the best. Neither of us was really happy.”

  “But I thought . . .” Hallie shook her head, clearly startled by the news of Justin’s breakup.

  Justin met his brother’s dubious gaze without flinching. “Yes, I’m involved with Tess. We met on the road a couple weeks ago. Her ex is an abusive bastard who’s tried to kill her more than once."

  Hallie sucked in a sharp breath, and her gaze darted to Tess, taking in the bruises at Tess’s neck and blood on the shoulder of her shirt.

  Tess looked away. Telling Justin about her life with Randall had been hard enough. Hearing Justin spill her ugly secret to his family made a stinging shame heat her cheeks.

  “He terrorized her,” Justin continued, “until she had no choice but to run from him just to save herself.”

  “Thank God you got out,” Brian said. “At least he can’t hurt you now.”

  Tess didn’t bother arguing about Randall’s ability to still hurt her.

  “When I found out about her situation, I couldn’t turn away.” Justin squeezed her hand. “I’d promised Becca I would never walk away again, and that’s a promise I intend to keep. I let Becca down, but I can still change things for Tess.”

  Tess heard Brian expel a deep breath with a hiss. She wished she could crawl in a hole somewhere and hide.

  “So this is about Becca. Justin, I feel as badly as you do that we didn’t get Becca away from Mac before it was too late. But you can’t change the past by taking on every abusive husband or boyfriend in a street brawl.” Brian waved a hand toward Justin’s bloody shirt.

  Justin’s grip on her hand became tighter, almost painful. “I know I can’t change the past, but I can change Tess’s future. And this—” He tugged at the edge of his shirt. “—is the result of a lot more than a street fight.”

  Brian took a deep breath and softened his tone. “Look, I’m glad you could help Tess get away from her ex-husband, but—”

  “They were never married.”

  “Okay, ex-boyfriend. Whatever. But now it’s time to turn it over to the police. Let the court system handle it. Tess?”

 
She glanced up at Brian and met a gentle gaze much like Justin’s.

  “We can help put you in contact with counselors, professionals who can hide you in one of the safe houses—”

  “No!” Justin shot to his feet, dropping her hand to clutch his side, which she was certain had suffered from his abrupt movement. He gritted his teeth but kept arguing with Brian. “It’s not like that! This isn’t like it was with Rebecca! Her husband is following us because he wants us dead. The lunatic has already tried to kill us! That blood on Tess’s shirt is from where a bullet grazed her.”

  Brian tensed. “All the more reason to go to the police.”

  Justin shook his head at his brother. “It’s not that simple.”

  “Damn it, Justin, grow up!” Brian shouted. “You have to think about what is best for Tess, not about assuaging your own guilty conscience over Becca!”

  Tears welled in Tess’s eyes, and she struggled weakly to push off the sofa. “Maybe we should just go, Justin. I don’t want to cause more problems with your brother.”

  “I’m sorry you had to hear that, Tess. Why don’t I, uh . . . get you something to eat? Are you hungry?” Hallie rose from the couch and put an arm around Tess. With a nudge toward the door of the kitchen, she escorted Tess out of the room. “There’s a lot of history between those two that you may not understand. That’s why Brian seems angry. But he’s really not so much mad at Justin as he is worried about him. He’s been worked up like this ever since his parents called and said that men were asking about Becca and Justin. He would have flown out to Wellerton last night if he wasn’t in the middle of a huge case that he’s spent literally years bringing to trial.”

  Hallie pulled out a chair from the kitchen table for Tess. “Would you like some coffee or a piece of lemon pound cake?”

  Tess shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  Hallie’s gaze dropped to Tess’s shoulder. “Maybe I should take a look at that. I’m not a doctor, but I play doctor to a wide variety of injuries at school. I teach first grade. You’d be surprised at the inventive ways kids can get hurt.” Hallie grinned, but her smile didn’t cover the concern in her eyes.