Page 21 of Hidden Dane
The doors opened at the station, and Emily dashed into a crowd of folks that intended to get off and find out why the train had stopped.
She kept her head down, blonde hair tucked under her hat.
No one would recognize her.
As she stepped onto the platform, goosebumps grew everywhere but started on her neck, as she heard from behind her, “There you are, Miss Mira.”
Cold washed through her as she turned but backed up with the crowd. “Ted, Alexandre is probably still out like a light.”
Ted’s wrinkled face became more pronounced with every step he took—his long strides made her heart sink. “I underestimated you. You’re clearly formidable.”
“Compliments don’t work.” She forced her shoulders to straighten.
Bullies don’t need to see you’re frightened. Michael’s words resonated and she prayed he was right as adrenaline rushed through her. She turned to run, but Ted grabbed her wrist. She shook him off and said, “Ted, you won’t win against Uriel.”
Ted gripped hard. “Are you sure about that Emily?” Sweat went down her neck, but she sensed Dane was close. She couldn’t see him, but her heart had a familiar ping of awareness. Ted said, “I’ve been researching you and Dane Pearce—and your entire family.”
She tugged her hand free, her skin burning. He said, “The men who sent me for these jewels won’t take your family’s interference well.”
Her mind flashed to Michael and how he’d practiced defensive maneuvers before his breakfast. When she’d first met him, he’d sought revenge for his false imprisonment, not caring what happened to himself.
“You haven’t met my family then.” She turned on her feet and ran right into Dane’s embrace.
He wrapped his arms around her. “Em!”
“Dane, let’s go.” She didn’t want to look back at Ted, who might start shooting. She peeked at the figure on the other side and saw his ally Henry.
Dane hugged her so close she could hear his heartbeat before he released her. “This way.”
For some reason Ted didn’t follow. Crowds of people hadn’t stopped him before—why now?
They kept their pace fast as she held his side. “I’m happy to see you again.”
With Henry flanking her other side, Dane led her down the station and his arms sent a tremor that might be hope through her. He asked, “What were you trying to tell me in the limo?”
She almost tripped over her own shoe but he held her firm and neither one of them stopped. She blinked and just asked, “What?”
“When I wanted you to jump. What did you say?” He held the door for the terminal for her, looking behind them to see if they were being followed.
Inside there were people going in all directions—perfect for them to blend in. “I was getting my courage up to jump.”
She stared at his profile with his strong jaw line and dark hair that would be wavy if he let it. “Which means? What did you say?”
Her entire body froze. She hadn’t been ready to jump. She squeezed his side and said, “Don’t miss me.”
His lips thinned. He opened the door and she stepped outside beneath a bright blue sky with white fluffy clouds.
She inhaled deeply of clean air to rid herself of the dank tracks around the station.
Dane followed her, and then let the door close before he took her hand. “No, you said I something you.”
Emily blinked. What had she said? Her mind was a blank and then she snapped her fingers. “Oh. I trust you.” She knew he’d catch the box when she tossed it, and he would have caught her if she’d jumped, but then Ted had kidnapped her from the other side of the limo before blowing it to smithereens.
“Ah.” His face darkened.
They headed toward a car but she patted his stomach and tried to get his attention. The moment he turned toward her, she sucked in her bottom lip, unsure what he was thinking. “What did you think I said, Dane?”
He guided her down a cement step. “Never mind.”
