Page 3 of Run with Me

Impressive.

“That’s a bark scorpion,” Isaid.

He looked at me in surprise. “It was on your shoulder. You could die from one sting.” Xavier held the creature with pride.

“Not necessarily. It depends where it stings you. Near the neck could be dangerous, though, so thankyou.”

Clearly unhappy with my lack of enthusiasm, he flung it out the window.

“You’re welcome,” hesaid.

“Why are you upset? I said thankyou.”

“I think it’s my pride. I just got shot down by a beautiful woman when I tried to save herlife.”

“Were you expecting me to jump gratefully into yourarms?”

“Something likethat.”

The thought made me feel special, and I laughed. “You’re something else, Xavier. Come on. If we stay here any longer, the sun’s going to heat this place up like an oven,” Isaid.

He followed me outside. It wasn’t any cooler out here either, but that’s what you got in the middle of August. Xavier held the passenger door open for me, and a new stampede of bulls charged through my stomach. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d ridden in acar.

I rolled down the window as we drove into town. Xavier parked beside the motel, and I shifted uncomfortably.

“Is this not good?” he asked.

“No, it’s fine, but you don’t want to stay here. Just drive a bit further.” I looked over to the line of dried bushes that marked the boundaries set in our town, the same ones the Cortez family was still afraid to cross. Apparently, they thought they’d be cursed — at least, those were the rumors floating aroundtown.

“I thought you were kidding about the parish,” hesaid.

“Well, I wasn’t.”

Just before I had a chance to explain to Xavier that the parish was the safest place, because despite their mafia status, the Cortez family was very religious, I saw Benjamin Cortez push at the front door. He must have heard the car approaching and was now walking towardus.

We should have parked by the church, I thought.

Before I realized what was happening, Xavier opened the passenger door for me and I had no choice but to step outside.

“Whatever you do, don’t trust him.” I gestured with my head toward Ben and leaned in to Xavier with a whisper. “He’s one of those guys who’d rip you off. And whatever you do, don’t follow him into that motel.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that inmind.”

Ben approached with his casual smirk, and an urge to hurl filled my mouth. “Hi, I’m Benjamin Cortez. Welcome toPace.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, doing my best to ignorehim.

“Hey, Anna. Are you going to the bull run tomorrow?”

When I ignored him, he let out a puff of pride and turned back to Xavier, who extended hishand.

“I’m Xavier. If it weren’t for Anna here, I would have gottenlost.”

I doubted that. It was a little difficult to get lost when there was only one road. Unfortunately, Ben had accepted Xavier’s handshake, and my stomach twisted into another knot. This one didn’t feel as good as the previousone.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m also Anna’s boyfriend.”

“He’s lying. He’s not my boyfriend,” Isaid.

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