Page 53 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Thirty-Two

Annie

Why in the world would Tommy bring me here, of all places?

Isquint around the cave, sunlight illuminating the entrance brightly but losing steam as it reaches toward the back of the cavern. The gray rock walls are covered with graffiti, not the gang variety, just kids leaving their mark over many, many late nights. With a darkened fire pit as the only luxury, I’m unable to keep my mouth shut.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” He throws me a hardened look. “I’m sorry. It’s just my back is killing me and it’s freezing in here. Where am I supposed to sit?” Reminding myself I’m at his mercy, I quiet. We’re up a hill near Fort Mason, an old army post that’s been closed for decades, near the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s no one around for miles, and I have no idea why he would bring me here.

Tommy has proven himself to be one thing, volatile and unpredictable. He saved me from his father, yes. But he’s escaped from San Quentin and him having pulled that off is a testament to how much I need to take him seriously, no matter how little respect I have for him after the way he acted in college, and how he treated me back then. Even if I weren’t in handcuffs, I can’t kick or punch Tommy without fear of him punching me in the stomach. The times today I’ve lashed out at him and his father, were out of instinct, not smarts. I need to be more careful. I’m not just me anymore. The irony is, what’s got me acting out more is an effort to protect my child.

Tommy drops the immense duffel bag he hauled up here, and bends at the knees to open it with his eyes on me. “You’re huge. How far are you along?” He pulls out a purple comforter, a pillow with a matching pillowcase, a four pack of Smart Water, and a small cooler. “My cousin put this together. Can you tell?”

“Why would I be able to tell?” I ask, wondering if this is a test.

“He’s a little on the… stylish side.” Tommy smiles as though at some inside joke.

It occurs to me he’s talking about his cousin’s sexual preference, something I noticed but didn’t find remarkable considering we are in San Francisco. “Right. He seemed nice.” For being a part of your devil family, I refrain from adding.

Tommy folds the comforter in two. He lays the pillow on it and says, “Sit here.”

I don’t have to be told twice. I was looking at that pillow like it was a chocolate cake.

“Thank you,” I mumble, walking over to land my expanded butt down with a loud, “Ahhhh.” Glancing up at my kidnapper, I catch an amused smile. He covers it and walks away. “Can you take off these handcuffs at least?”

He cocks an eyebrow my way. “No.”

“Fine,” I mumble. He tosses one of the water bottles to me and I catch it.

“Because of that.”

“Because of what?” I ask, confused.

“Because most girls wouldn’t have caught that.”

I stare at him. “That’s very sexist.”

He shrugs. “It is what it is. You caught it, and wearing handcuffs. I’m just sayin.’”

I open the bottle with awkwardness, drawing it up my mouth with both hands. Before I can blink, it’s empty. “I guess I was thirsty,” I mumble. “How do you know about this place?”

“You didn’t answer my question.” He waits for me.

I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t want to tell him. Resentfully, I answer, “I’m nine months. And my lower back is aching more now than it ever has, in case you were wondering. I need to go to a hospital.”

“Brendan, Mark, and Ross, and I used to come here with girls in college,” he announces proudly, like remembering it brings back the good old days, before he was a felon.

Great. Now I’ve got images of Brendan and Sara Brighton making out in here, in my head. “That’s good to know,” I say, dryly.

Tommy’s watching me like he knows what I’m thinking. “I never liked her.”

“Who?” He doesn’t say anything. “Sara?” He nods. “Yeah, me neither. She was a self-important bitch.”

“So he has a type,” Tommy smiles.

“Har Har. What are we doing here, Tommy? Are you going to kill me, because I’m getting the feeling you’re not. Which is new. And weird. And don’t think I’m not grateful, because I am. But what the hell is going on?”

His eyebrows rise over an amused grin. The thing Tommy always had going for him is his charm. He’s usually got a sparkle in his eyes like he’s thinking of a private joke twenty-four seven. That look is back, and for the first time today.

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