On The Run (Men of honor Book 1)

by Rhonda Lott

  Alex shook herself. She had to get control. The situation called for a rational head. She couldn’t think about how perfect his lips look for kissing, how strong and rough his hands looked, and how good those hands would feel all over her, squeezing and stroking in just the right places. Now you’ve done it, she thought, you’re going to die and die with wet undies. How unfair was that?

  Alex watched as he scanned the room, his attention focused on the hallway entrance where Dawn had reappeared. She was clutching their precious little boy in one arm while holding two backpacks in the other.

  Dawn’s mouth dropped open and her eyes shot to Alex. In that one look Alex saw the rapid questioning of Dawn’s mind. Three steps to the window? Can I make it with the baby? Where’s your damn gun Alex?

  But all she said was “Allie?”

  “It’s ok, he helped me earlier tonight. We might need him to get out of here.” Alex said, eyeing the man skeptically. “Why did you follow me and why are you doing this?”

  “Ladies, I’m David McAdams. I will answer all your questions soon.” He nodded to the door. “We don’t have any more time now. We have to go.” His cell phone chirped and he pulled it out of his pocket.

  “Yeah, you here?” David pocketed his cell. He turned his eyes towards the door, then back to Alex.

  “Nice nine you got Alex, but don’t hide that gun, keep it visible when I open this door.” He said.

  Turning to her friend, “D—” He started.

  “My name is Dawn.” She interrupted him with a razor sharp tone.

  Alex drew back a step. When did her bestie become a bad ass? Oh, yeah, this fugitive life has replaced her shy friend with this no non sense grown ass woman. This life and all the dark depraved shit that happened to her while Alex was gone. Things so awful, Dawn kept them locked away. Dawn’s new found confidence came at a horrible price.

  “Dawn ma’am, there will be a black Tahoe out front, stay between us, but keep your concentration on the sedan across the way. If anything moves in or on that bitch, you run for the truck.” He told her friend, his voice devoid of emotion.

  “But wait,” Alex held up her hands. “How will we make it out of here and to that truck? They have to have weapons. All they have to do is pick us off one by one.”

  David caught and held her gaze. He smiled. Alex’s jaw almost hit the floor. That smile transformed his hard face into something glorious. His smile was like a surprise party at the end of a fucked up day. Alex felt the pull of a smile on her lips in return.

  “No worries my song bird” He said “The Calvary is here.”

  *DAVID*

  David opened the door. His brother Kane was standing there, rain soaked and flashing one of his trade mark smiles. Two years younger, Kane was as substantial a man in height and bulkiness as David, with the same dark hair, he wore long and tied back. Kane’s slate blue eyes were bright with equal parts excitement and inquiry. He had a set of guns in his shoulder holster and a Glock in his waistband.

  David gave a short laugh. “Your always prepared, huh little bro?”

  “What, these?” Kane shrugged, winking at the ladies. “Tools of the trade, you know.”

  “Right.” David nodded towards Kane’s truck. “Let’s get moving.”

  Alex and Dawn linked arms protecting the child between them. Kane gave David a questioning stare and raised brow. David knew Kane was confused by the whole affair. He wasn’t use to David getting involved with such a strange situation, especially involving a female. If any woman David got involved with caused a ripple in his well-ordered life, that woman was history.

  David studied Alex as they moved from the porch. Her beat up shoes made squishing sounds on the wet ground. She gripped Dawn and the little boy tightly. The street light weakly danced on her skin and David wondered if it was as soft as it appeared under that muted light. His hands itched to touch her again.

  He stepped to her back. “Just keep walking, nice and easy, stay calm.” She glanced up at him, giving him a small smile and nod. Those glorious curls of hers were now corkscrew ringlets sticking to her face.

  Half way to the Tahoe the sedan’s lights came on. Both the women’s heads swung towards the car. The car’s dark tented windows made it impossible to see anyone inside. Not knowing if they had guns pointed at his little party made David grind his teeth. He pulled his revolver from his waistband and angled it against his thigh. A visible deterrent for whoever was watching from the car.

  “Almost there, everything is fine.” David hoped his voice sounded reassuring. He had to keep his cool for them. He longed to rush that fucking car and eliminate the threat. No, no, he thought. You’re not Kane. You’re the business and he’s the brawn. David learned early, even though he was always strong, using his brain to out think an opponent was the best way to handle things. He wasn’t opposed to bashing a few skulls. His little brother seemed to enjoy it a whole lot more though.

  They made it to the truck and climbed inside. No one said a word. Kane started the truck up. The sedan fired up its engine. The brothers shared a look. David put his hand on his Glock as Kane pulled away from the curb.

  “Fuck me,” David snatched out his cell. “Where the hell is Ace?”

  As soon as the words came from him, three DeKalb County Police cars rounded the corner and blocked in the sedan.

  David nodded. “Good old Ace.”

  “Yeah.” Kane laughed. “Always late for the party.”

  David turned in his seat to face the women as Kane headed to the highway. They were sitting close together. Alex held her son in her arms. She stroked the child’s head with hands that trembled noticeably.

  “What’s his name?” David asked.

  “His name is Jordan.”

  “It’s remarkable he didn’t wake up through all this.”

  “He’s like his mommy, a heavy sleeper. I think sadly, he’s getting used to being moved about in the middle of the night.” She gave a weak smile and swung her gaze back out the window as if she’d said too much.

  Damn but she was sexy. She’d been attacked, chased away from her home in the dead of night, bruised and battered yet still managed to be sexy as hell. Arousal blazed to life inside him as he intensely regarded her. She was captivating, nothing like anyone he dated before. He went out with the blond, blue eyed model type. The type of girls who wouldn’t give him the time of day as a teen, because he lived in a trailer park. Alex was exotic and fascinating. He could look at her beautiful face all night. Long dark lashes shaded her lovely eyes. Passing car lights cast her in light then shadow. He cursed the shadows and waited anxiously for the light. The patter of the rain beating against the windshield filled the cab of the truck.

  “Thank you David.” Alex said, “They have never gotten this close before.”

  “Who were they? Was it Jordan’s father?” David asked.

  She looked over to Dawn, then back to him.

  “I want to tell you, but its best if you don’t know too much.” She bit her bottom lip and turned towards the window again.

  As the silence in the car stretched on. David brushed her knee lightly. She turned to him.

  “I’m going to take you all someplace safe. You can rest and get something to eat.” He leaned in. “Then you will tell me everything.”

  “I thank you for helping us out, but no. We can make it from here on our own. If you would drop us off at the bus station that would be great.” Alex said, in a sultry voice, David found entrancing.

  “I don’t know what you’re used to Alex, but I wouldn’t feel right dropping you ladies and a child off at some bus station when it is more than obvious that someone is after you.” David sighed. “Listen, it’s late and raining. Will you let me take you someplace safe at least for the night? You can’t keep the little guy out in this.” He gestured toward the pouring rain.

  Alex and Dawn exchanged glances. Dawn shrugged and glared outside, leaving the decision squarely on Alex’s shoulders.

  “A
lright, just for the night.” Alex agreed.

  David nodded and turned his attention back to the road. They were headed up interstate 85. Kane must have read his mind. They were headed right where he needed to go. Once he had his song bird safely tucked away, he could figure out exactly what the hell he’d gotten himself into.

  *ALEX*

  “Alright Allie, who are those guys and what the hell happened to you tonight?” Dawn asked the minute they were alone. The brothers had taken them to a beautiful house, nestled among large magnolia trees on Lake Lanier. David showed them to a bedroom. It was a large room, decorated in rich brown and creamy tan colors. A king sized bed took up much of the space. A polished wooden desk, and bedside table were the only other furnishing. The room had a lonely forgotten feel to it.

  “He was at the Gala tonight and when I was about to leave, a man jumped me. David fought the guy off and…I don’t know, followed me for some reason.” She let out a frustrated groan, rubbing one hand across her forehead. “Look, I don’t know this man Dawn, but he saved me twice tonight and I think he wants to help us.”

  Dawn gingerly sat at the desk. Alex knelt quietly beside the bed as not to disturb Jordan. He was sleeping without a care in the world. Alex smiled. Yes, exactly like your mommy aren’t you.

  “Allie, why?” Dawn asked.

  “I have no idea. There’s something about him, Dawn he feels safe.”

  “Safe is the two of us and Jordan. Not some stranger.” Dawn adamantly shook her head. “We cannot stay with these men, even if you do trust David. The bastard will find out who they are and then they will be hurt or killed.” Dawn kept her voice low.

  “Yeah, I know. But for now we don’t have much of a choice.” Alex got up and hugged her friend. “We made it through another day, D. We will keep on fighting and keep on living. We have to. Now, I’m going to go take a shower and get out of this filthy gown. Get some rest, Jordan won’t sleep forever. Soon we will have a fussy two year old on our hands.”

  Dawn nodded her head and started going through her backpack for something to sleep in.

  “He is sexy as hell though, right?” She said over her shoulder.

  Alex felt her heart drop. “Who?”

  “Kane, of course. Not talking about your guy.” Dawn grinned.

  “David is not my guy, and what are we sixteen again?”

  “What man risks himself for a woman that he doesn’t potentially want to be his girl? You know he wants you and I see you want him right back.” Dawn started dressing in a t-shirt and shorts.

  “I feel the chemistry between us and it is scary hot. I haven’t felt this way in… ever. But we both know there could never be anything between him and me. You said it yourself. Mac would find him.” Alex turned to go into the bathroom. Her wet gown leaving little drops of water on the hardwood floor.

  “Maybe you should give him a shot. The more I think about it, those two look like they could handle themselves. We can’t let my fear keep us from taking help when we find it.” Dawn stretched out on the bed next to Jordan, hair still damp and flat to her head.

  “Your fear comes from reality, there’s no denying that. The real problem is that I couldn’t live with myself if I got another person killed.” Alex whispered, the familiar sting of tears burning the back of her eyes.

  Dawn pushed up on her elbows and stared at Alex. “You did not get Ann killed. That was all Mac’s doing, damn it. Stop thinking like that or it’s going to eat you alive with guilt. There was nothing we could do to save your sister. Jordan is alive because of you, I’m alive because of you.” Dawn’s voice cracked a bit on the end of her statement.

  “Your right I guess.” Alex sighed. “No more pity party for me, get some sleep.”

  Alex stepped into the bathroom. Like the rest of the house she had seen so far, this room was spacious and modern. Just what she would expect from Mr. Handsome McAdams. Alex turned on the shower and stepped inside closing the glass doors. The shower felt wonderful. She stood under the hot water and let it seep into her, warming her chilled bones. She closed her eyes and David’s face flashed through her mind. Misty gray eyes, so intense and hypnotizing, whenever he looked at her, she felt as if he could see right into her soul. His stern, hard features led Alex to wonder what his life was like. Did he work constantly? Was he a harsh unrelenting man? That one smile he bestowed her, gave Alex hope that he could be more open, more easygoing.

  What did it matter? The three of them were out of there in the morning. She would never see David McAdams again, but she would take that image of him smiling with her as they ran to another city, yet again.

  *DAVID*

  “What the hell is going on?” Kane asked David as soon as they walked into the living room. He fell into one of the two black sofas that faced one another. Lamps dimly lit room, soft rain pattered against large bay windows.

  “You want a beer, or do you want the story straight up no chaser?” David asked.

  “No stalling big bro, I need you to tell me what the fuck you’re doing.”

  Kane’s blue eyes never left his. No casual grin on his face now. His brows were knitted and lips pinched. Kane’s concern was written all over his face. His brother looked so much like their mother, that at times like this, David felt her loss deeply. Kane wasn’t his kid brother anymore. He was a hard ass, adrenalin craving, and profoundly complicated man. A man that was his partner in business and always the biggest part of his life.

  “Short story is. I saw Alex singing at the gala. I was deeply attracted to her and wanted to get to know her.” David sat on the opposite sofa, dragging one hand down his face and sighing. “She left the party, I followed. When I got to the parking lot. She was being attacked. I chased the guy off and she ran from me.”

  “End of story. For you, that would be end of story.” Kane’s frown deepen.

  “Yeah, But not this time. I can’t explain it.” David rose and made strides over to the large window facing the lake. ”She got to me. There’s something about her. I can’t figure it out. Anyway, I followed her home, to make sure she got there safe.”

  “Right.”

  David gave him a hard stare over his shoulder. “When I got there I noticed that sedan and the way she kept nervously looking at it.”

  “So you decided to play captain save a hoe.” Kane smirked.

  David’s body stiffened, tilting his head, he gave Kane a piercing stare. “Don’t call her that, Kane, not ever. You got me?”

  “That sounds really possessive bro, but I got it, no hoe references. Sorry.” Kane held up his hands. “So I take it you don’t know who’s after them.”

  “No.” David said as he turned towards the bedroom where the women and child slept.

  “It’s late now, in the morning I’m going to talk to a few of our guys and do a little checking. I should know a lot more by then.” He turned back to Kane. “Will you be back?”

  “No, I got a race in the morning.”

  “You and that motorcycle.” David sighed. Kane loved to race fast bikes, faster cars, and jump out of fucking planes. There was nothing life threatening he wouldn’t try.

  “You know me. I got that need for speed.” He grinned, getting ready to leave. Kane stopped and slapped his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I got you, if you need me. You know that don’t you man?” Kane asked.

  “Yeah, I know that. It’s us against the world, right?”

  “Absofuckinglutly David, Always.” Kane plastered a shit eating grin on his face. “I must say. When you get out of your comfort zone, you jump the fuck out like a boss. I love it.” Kane walked out the house chuckling to himself.

  David pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel the beginnings of a killer headache. The house was dark and quiet. He took one last look towards Alex’s door. David could picture her curled up sleeping all wild hair and sexy little body. If only she was sleeping in his bed. A sizzling bolt of desire coursed through him. He envisioned laying her out on his bed like a ric
h dessert waiting for him to devour. Yes, Kane was right, this was out of his comfort zone. David got the uneasy feeling that his ordered and structured existence was about to be shattered. Something about Alex spoke to him on a deep level. It might be the way she so fiercely protected her little family, reminding him of how he once did the same for his. David silently made his way to his bedroom.

  “Sleep well song bird, because tomorrow you’re to sing real pretty for me.” He declared to the stormy night.

  CHAPTER THREE

  *ALEX*

  Alex gradually came a wake to a small hand rubbing her ear. She smiled and rolled over to gaze upon the most beautiful little face in the world. Jordan was snuggled up next to her, wide awake and grinning, unaware of their mad dash from home and the dangerous world around him. Alex wanted to keep it that way.

  Jordan’s sweet smell filled Alex with joy, His big brown eyes, so much like her own, reminded Alex that he was the best part of her. Ann was gone, but she would never lose him. A sudden wave of sadness washed over her. He would never know Ann, his mom. But when he was older she would tell him of her sister and how she sacrificed her life for him.

  Jordan yawned, “Milk Allie?” He asked.

  “You got it, babe.” She hugged him close. “I have to figure out where it is first.”

  Dawn propped up on the other side of Jordan. She moved him to her side of the bed and kissed him on the forehead.

  “I’ll keep him here with me while you go.” She told Alex.

  As she went in search of milk, Alex hoped David was still sleeping. She still wore her shorts and t-shirt, her hair was a tangled mess, and she wore no make-up. She would scare the crap out of him if he saw her right now.

  Alex didn’t get a good look at the house when they arrived. Now as she left the bedroom and headed down the hall she realized that it was a large ranch style home. It reminded Alex of a resort photo. Stylish with warm wooden furnishings and bright throw pillows, the interior was all show and no substance. There were no family photos or little Knick knacks that made a house a home. The bedrooms were towards the back of the house. The living room and kitchen was one open space with a marble counter separating the two. As Alex headed for the kitchen she noticed the big bay window facing the Lake. Morning light streamed in through it, casting a soft glow on the rooms.