by Nia Arthurs
“No. I’m good.” She sighed happily. “I was just thinking about my old days here, selling fudge.”
Finn glanced at the booth and tried to imagine Jewel shyly calling out to pedestrians with her basket of fudge.
He couldn’t.
“Come on.” He tugged her sleeve. “I’ve been craving something sweet.”
“Fine. But I’m paying.”
The determination in her eyes sparked a crazy reaction in his body. He smiled like a fool, marveling at the strength that simmered in her, a strength she unleashed without even knowing.
Finn opened his mouth to tease her when he caught a movement in his periphery.
A man in a white shirt and khakis aimed a phone at them. The stranger caught Finn’s gaze and ducked his head, stumbling toward a kiosk to hide.
Senses on alert, Finn grabbed Jewel’s hand.
Her mouth dropped open when his skin made contact, but he didn’t have time to coddle her. That guy could be one of Kross’s men.
They needed to move. Now.
Blood coursed through his veins and sent his pulse spiking. His head whipped around, searching for a hiding place.
“What are you doing?” Jewel shrieked.
“We need to go. Finn ran, hauled a curve and peered over his shoulder.
The man was still following them.
“Finn!”
“Look behind you.”
Jewel turned her head.
“Be subtle,” he whispered.
Her nose flaring, she did. When she whipped back around, he noticed her eyes were wider and filled with shock.
She’d seen him too.
“There’s someone following us,” she said, her hand going limp in his and her footsteps quickening.
He could feel her pulse spiking from where his fingers were clamped on her wrists. “Just stay calm.”
Jewel did not.
“What do we do?” she cried frantically. “What if he already has Juney? I need to call my brother.”
“Calm down.”
“Finn, I can’t do this again. I can’t go back to him.”
Finn growled and made a hard left turn. He slipped into a narrow alley left by two abandoned kiosks and wedged them both between it.
The cramped space had him pressing Jewel into the wall, his face close to hers, his lips an inch away.
His heart stirred.
He looked into her frightened eyes, unsure if she was stricken over the fact that one of Kross’s men were breathing down her neck or that he was.
“Stay here,” he instructed.
She bobbed her head, the move allowing her nose to brush against his. Electricity skittered from where their skin touched and charged every nerve in his body.
Finn forced himself to focus and slid over her as he checked the crowd. The man who’d snapped their picture stood nearby. He spun around in circles, clearly looking for them.
Finn sprung out of their hiding place.
The guy spotted him when it was already too late.
He grabbed him by the throat and spun him around, smashing him into the front of kiosk where Jewel hid.
He heard her yelp.
Finn yelled to cover the sound. “Who are you?”
The guy squirmed, brown eyes bulging out of his head. “Let me go.”
“Who sent you?”
“Help!” He slapped Finn’s hand. His gaze darted around at the people who shuffled by.
Finn stepped in front of him to block his view and tightened his grip. “Should I end you and send him a message?”
“Who? Send who a message?”
“You know who.”
“Please, let me go. Please.”
Finn tilted his head, confused. Kross’s men would never beg like this.
He dropped his hand.
The man landed hard on his knees and hacked loudly, massaging his throat. He dug his fingers into the sand and looked up, casting Finn a hard look. “I should have you arrested for that.”
“You’re the one who was following us.”
“Because of the girl.”
“If Kross wants the girl, he has to go through me.”
“Kross?” The guy stumbled to his feet. “Who the hell is Kross?”
Finn’s eyebrows scrunched.
“Look, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” He dug into his pocket. Finn snatched his hand and bent it back. The guy cried out. “Ow! Ow! I’m just trying to get my phone.”
“For what?”
“To show you the Facebook post.” His voice warbled.
Finn stepped back.
A few moments later, he accepted the phone the guy handed over and stared at the flyer. It had a picture of Jewel’s face along with a cash reward for her whereabouts. The name beneath the contact information was Carrie Lockwood and Joana Lee Gregory.
Finn slapped the phone into the man’s chest and shook his head. “Jewls, you can come out now. He’s safe.”
Her head popped out of the nook.
The man jumped back. “Was she always in there?”
“Show her your phone,” Finn barked. When he hesitated, Finn stepped forward threateningly. “Do it.”
Hands trembling, he handed the device over.
Jewel accepted it, three wrinkles between her delicate brows. She scanned the screen for a minute and then rubbed her forehead. “Crap.”
“Call them,” Finn said, squaring his shoulders.
Jewel grimaced and put the phone to her ear.
The man glanced at them. “So who’s Kross?”
Finn clenched his jaw.
Kross was a problem for another day.
20
“You called the cops on me! Really, Carrie?” Jewel shook her head.
Carrie looked at her with no remorse. “What did you expect us to do? You disappeared after leaving Sky’s wedding with some random guy we’d never met”—she held a hand up to Finn—“no offense.”
“None taken,” he said, lips firm and legs a shoulder-width apart as he stood backlit by the glass door with his hands on his hips.
Jewel shot him an exasperated look.
Finn wisely backed away, an amused smile flirting with his lips. “I’ll just wait in the car.”
Jo kept quiet until Finn had left. When the door banged shut behind him, she turned imploring brown eyes her way. “You’ve got to see things from our perspective. We were so worried about you. We called your phone all night and you didn’t pick up. Then when we went to your house early this morning, we found your door unlocked, clothes everywhere and your phone broken on the ground.”
“So your next rational thought was you should print a thousand copies of my face and post them online and around town?” Jewel crunched her fingers into the stacks of papers she’d found when Finn took her to Sweet Treats five minutes ago.
“No.” Carrie rolled her eyes. “We went to the police.”
“But they said that you were an adult and we couldn’t report you missing until forty eight hours had passed,” Jo said, slinging her long, curly hair over her shoulder.
Carrie grumbled, “The idiots. I swore that if something happened to you, I’d burn the whole place down.”
“She almost got us arrested.” Jo snorted.
“I was fine. You didn’t have to worry.”
Carrie frowned, brown eyes sharp. “We didn’t know that.”
“We kept imagining the worst,” Jo whispered, looking genuinely terrified. “We couldn’t even sleep. We had the guys going around Belize looking for signs of Finn’s car. I was so scared you’d died or something.”
The fight left her body when she saw tears glistening in Jo’s eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t find a way to contact you and let you know I was okay.”
Carrie studied her, plump lips pursed and arms folded across her ample chest.
Jewel backed away. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“You seem different.”
“Me?�
�
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Carrie rubbed her chin. “You’re… snappy.”
“Snappy?”
“You are talking a lot more now,” Jo mused. “And loudly. Which is unlike you. Did something happen?”
Yes. A psychopath is hunting me down and I’m inches away from losing my mind over a hot stranger who’s gotten way too close to me way too fast.
“No.”
“Where were you last night?” Carrie folded her arms over her chest.
Jo stepped forward. “Who trashed your place?”
“Probably some neighborhood kids,” Jewel said, her gaze on the ground. No way was she letting her friends into the chaos that was her life right now. They had no idea how complicated things would get for her and she wanted them to be as naïve as possible.
“Was it a robbery?” Jo gasped.
“Something like that.”
“So what happened?” Carrie glared into the distance. “Did you see a face? I have some cousins who’d do anything for money. We can gather them up and—”
“No,” Jewel snickered lightly, “I didn’t see any faces.”
“Oh.” Carrie sighed with disappointment.
“So how did you meet up with Finn?” Jo asked, her nose scrunching. “And who smashed your phone?”
Jewel rubbed her temples. The questions were too specific and her lies were already beginning to unravel.
“Let’s give her some space.” Carrie took a giant step back. “Looks like she’s about to barf.”
Jewel sucked in a deep breath. “I just need a minute.”
A moment of silence passed.
“Alright. That’s enough space.” Carrie barreled forward, long hair swinging behind her. Eyes flashing, she demanded, “Ready to tell us the truth?”
“W-what truth?”
“You’re really not good at lying, honey.” Carrie shrugged. “So let’s just pass the hemming and hawing and get to the part where you tell us what’s really going on.”
Jewel froze. “I can’t.”
“Is it Finn? Is something wrong with him?” Carrie demanded.
Joana gasped. “Is he a secret agent sent by the American government to thwart a Mexican drug cartel that’s passing through Belize?”
Everyone froze.
Jewel blinked. “That was… oddly specific.”
“I saw it in a movie once.”
“Wait, is he your old boyfriend?” Carrie’s nostrils flared and she shoved up the sleeves of her blouse. Booted feet stomping the ground, she charged ahead. “Just wait until I get my hands on him—”
“He’s not my old boyfriend,” Jewel said, shooting out a hand to stop Carrie in her tracks.
“Then who the hell is he and why does he keep showing up everywhere?”
“Finn rescued me,” Jewel mumbled.
“From what!”
She glanced into her friend’s eyes. “From someone dangerous.”
“Who?” Carrie pointed a finger. “And don’t you dare tell me that he saved you from burglars. I don’t know any thief who’d break into someone’s home and leave the only valuable thing they owned lying on the floor.”
Jewel raked fingers through her hair. Frustration mounted in her chest. “Why are you asking so many questions? I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?” Jo urged. “You can tell us, Jewel. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”
She studied Joana’s face—the light brown skin, small eyes, slim nose and plump lips. Next, she glanced at Carrie—high cheekbones, fiery eyes, and long black hair.
If Kross let them live, he’d subject them to a life more painful than death.
“Please.” Carrie held her shoulder.
Jewel let out a heaving breath. “His name is Kross. He’s… looking for me.”
“Why?” Carrie whispered.
Jo looked on worriedly.
“Because one night when I was sixteen…”
Jewel told her friends everything she’d confided in Finn yesterday. The words poured from her lips, static and emotionless. As if they’d happened to someone else.
Carrie and Joana listened with mounting horror.
“I can’t believe this.” Carrie covered her mouth, eyes wide. “I thought what you’d been through with your mother’s boyfriend was dark, but this… this is next level messed up.”
Jewel shrugged.
“Ah!” Carrie shot to her feet and paced. Her basket wedges thudded against the floor. “That sick bastard!”
“It’s so hard to imagine.” Jo murmured. “You’re incredibly strong, Jewls.”
“What? Me? No way.”
“All I had to worry about growing up was whether or not I fit in with my black and Korean side. If I’d been in your shoes, I would have given up long ago and just... I don’t even know. It’s too scary to imagine.”
“That’s not true. You wouldn’t have turned out like me.” Jewel shook her head. “You and Carrie are so brave and confident.”
“Brave and—” Carrie scoffed. “Girl, I would have been devastated!” She tapped her chest. “I was spoiled by both my parents. My biggest complaint was I couldn’t wear makeup. There’s no way I would have survived if I were in your shoes.”
Jewel let their words sink in.
I’m… strong?
It was a concept that flew way above her head.
Strong women didn’t wear baggy clothes fearing that men would find them desirable.
Strong women didn’t get tongue-tied or flustered or baffled in situations that most people would find normal.
Strong women didn’t act like her.
“You survived, Jewel.” Carrie squeezed her hand. “You’re strong.”
Jewel chewed on her bottom lip. She’d barely survived. Was barely making it now. Was that anything to celebrate? Her insecurities and fears consumed her until she found it hard to get up each morning.
Me? Strong?
“But I did everything he told me to. I never fought back.”
“That’s not your fault,” Joana soothed.
“What kind of scum makes an under-aged girl watch him have sex with someone? Disgusting.” Carrie tossed her head. “Seriously, where is this guy? We should call the police on his nasty behind.”
“No, no cops.”
“What?” Jo stood to her feet and stared Jewel down. “Why not? He… I mean… he forced you to do something against your will. Extortion, coercion, murder—he’ll go away for a long time.”
“Do you think it’s that simple?” Jewel hissed, fear stirring her heart.
“Yes.” Carrie slapped her hands on her hips and nodded. “We dial 9-1-1; they send a task force. Done and done.”
“He’s evaded capture all this time.” She gritted her teeth. “He’s the son of a drug lord. All he has to do is snap his fingers and they’ll let him walk.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, I do!” Jewel screamed.
Silence smothered the room.
She let out a heavy breath. “All I want is peace. I can’t let him harm Juney.”
“Why is this guy so obsessed with you? If he’d left Belize, he should have stayed gone.”
Carrie curled her lip in a scornful glare. “Because he’s twisted.”
Jewel swallowed. “All I know is, I’m on his radar again. I don’t know when he’ll show up and where. That’s why I need to leave. And take Juney with me.”
“Let’s not be hasty,” Jo insisted. “We can figure this out together. For now, you can move in with me. My parents will love to have another guest in the house.”
“I can’t put your families at risk.”
“I’m game,” Carrie said without hesitation. “Benson and I are always down for new adventures.”
Jo nodded. “I’ll speak for Sun Gi and throw my hat in too.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.” Jewel insisted. “This isn’t a game. All our lives are at stake—”
“You’re
our friend and you’re in danger. There’s nothing to consider,” Jo said.
They weren’t getting it.
“This isn’t like the movies where the good guys win. In real life, people like Kross get away with murder. Repeatedly.”
“Says who?”
“Listen to me! The last person I told…” Her voice cracked. “She didn’t make it.”
“What does that mean?”
Jewel looked at Jo. “Her name was Elsie. She was an old woman who lived around our neighborhood. I was so desperate to escape that I confided in her. She insisted on going to the police. A few days later, Elsie died in an ‘accident’.”
Jo’s eyes widened.
“Do you see?” Jewel pleaded. “I can’t put you all at risk.”
“Sky’s in Europe with her hubby,” Carrie said confidently as if she hadn’t heard a word. “You only have us to worry about right now.” She tilted her head and studied Jo. “But we can handle ourselves.”
“I said no! What part of that don’t you understand?”
“Gosh, I love it when you yell like that.” Carrie flashed an excited grin.
“This isn’t a joke.”
“We know it’s not,” Jo said, her eyes soft and gleaming. “But what are your other options? Are you going to run? If Kross is as powerful and ruthless as you say, he’ll find you. And when he does, you won’t have any of us to rely on.” She stepped forward. “Isn’t it better if you stay?”
Carrie held Jewel’s hand. “Stay, Jewls. Let’s win this together.”
Jewel glanced through the glass door to where Finn was leaning against his car. His head was ducked toward his phone. The sunlight bathed his brown hair and cast a golden sheen over his pale skin.
She’d found people who genuinely cared for her, who loved her. She wasn’t alone.
As the courage in her heart swelled, she blurted. “Alright. Let’s fight.”
21
“Are you sure about this?” Finn asked.
Jewel’s dimples flashed from her cheeks. “Yes. Joana assured me that her place is safe. Her parents live in a gated community. They’ve got a fence, a pit-bull and a top-notch home security system.”
“You and I both know that Kross can tear past all those defenses.” He pulled his fingers into fists, imagining the worst.
