Page 42 of Run with Me

“I mean, why did you say his name that way? Like you know who heis.”

Xavier took a deep breath in, then releasedit.

“That’s because I know exactly who Ben Cortez is. I also know his father, Alejandro, and his uncle, Juan Pablo, as well as his cousins. Don’t ask how; I justknow.”

Feeling safety slipping through my fingers, I whispered, “Maybe I should justgo.”

“This is the safest place to be, Anna. Believe me. They have no idea who we are or what we do, and if they look for you anywhere in the state, we’ll be the first toknow.”

“Are yousure?”

“Yes, I’msure.”

There was no one else I could trust, and if I was going to get some kind of life going for the baby I was carrying, I’d have to trust someone sooner or later. I lifted my head and looked straight into Xavier’s greeneyes.

“I can’t go back there. Not until he’s gone, at least.”

Xavier sighed. “What aboutJohn?”

“John will wait forus.”

“He let you leave Pace, just likethat?”

“It was a quick decision. He had to cover for me. He had no choice.” Would Xavier hate me if I told him the truth? “And I never had a chance to tell him about thebaby.”

“Shit!” he swore under his breath. “Anna, you… he deserves toknow.”

“I’ll write him a letter, but not yet. It’s too soon. I had Jack send him a postcard out of state to tell him that I was okay. I can’t risk it getting into Ben’s hands.”

Xavier checked his watch. I didn’t get a chance to see the brand, but it looked shiny and new, like a Rolex.

“Get dressed. This conversation is not over. We’re going out to dinner with Mary and Jack in half an hour, though, and I don’t like to belate.”

I hurried to the guest bedroom and put on a pair of jeans and a fluffy sweater Mary had lent me. Wearing one felt new to me, not only because it was fluffy, but simply because it was a sweater. We rarely needed to wear something this thick backhome.

Before leaving my room, I knelt on the soft carpet and rested my elbows on thebed.

“God, thank you for leading me to someone I trust. I don’t know how, but I promise to repay my debt. Please keep the baby and me safe. Please watch over us and all the townsfolk in Pace during this difficult time. And please keep watch over these good people who opened their door for me. Amen.”

I made the sign of the cross and pushed myself up. When I turned around, Xavier was standing in the doorway.

“I didn’t want to interrupt you,” hesaid.

“It’s all right. I’mdone.”

“Anna, staying away from Pace and your family will not be easy on you. If you need someone to talk to, I’mhere.”

“Thankyou.”

The only other family I’d ever considered as my own was John’s. I wondered whether he missed me. Did they miss me? Touching my hand to my stomach, I sighed and walked out of the room, right past Xavier. His gentle touch on my shoulder stoppedme.

“Anna, lift your headup.”

“What?”

“I want to see that spark of invincibility in your eyes I saw when I met you. Don’t do it for me or for yourself. Do it for your baby. She’ll needyou.”

“She?” Something warm stirred in my heart.

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