Page 74 of Accidentally Mine
I was already backing up toward the door when Ernest said, “Do you need my help, kid?”
“No.Thanks.I got this.You guys enjoy yourselves.”
I headed back to the car.Once I was in the seat, I noticed a missed call on my cell.But it wasn’t from Roselynn.It was from Kyle.As I pulled out of the parking lot, I called him back.“What’s up, man?”
“Hey.So you heard?”
I sat at the intersection, trying to remember which way I needed to head.His words jarred me.“Heard what?”
“About Anthony Markin.Your girlfriend’s ex.The scumbag was released from prison this morning.Walked free about three hours ago.”
Shit.My blood froze in my veins.I forgot to upshift when I took off and the car’s transmission squealed.“Today?I thought he was being held on new charges.How did he get out?”
“How these types always do it.Someone’s greasing the wheels.They got a new judge who released him on his own recognizance, and despite all our efforts, a crook like Markin goes free.Nothing nobody can do.Happens all the time.”
I was only half-listening.Wherever Roselynn was now, she was in danger.Did she know that her slimy ex had been released?Had he already found her?
I took a deep breath, pushing back the fear for Roselynn that nearly swamped me.“Thanks, man.He could be after her.I have to find her.I’m headed to the site of the new strip mall down in Southie, where her father’s office is located.”
“Youhave to?”he said, incredulous.“No, man.You don’t.Let us handle it and take her in.What you need to remember is that she’s a suspected fugitive who nearly killed you.You think it’s worth getting involved in this?”
“Yeah,” I said.I hardly knew her, but what I did know was that I was falling for her.Had fallen for her.“Yeah, she’s worth it.She calms the nightmare.”
“She started the nightmare,” Kyle pointed out.“Remember?”
That might have been true.But it didn’t matter.This nightmare needed to end for the both of us.
Wherever she was, I would find her.We’d figure this out.Together.She shouldn’t have to do this alone.
And no matter what anyone said, I was ready to make it happen.Even if after this was over, it left us with nothing.Even if we had to start over from scratch in a place we didn’t know.Even if it meant putting myself in harm’s way.
I’d never been more sure of anything as I threw the car into a higher gear, stomped on the gas pedal, and surged forward.
22
Roselynn
Anthony was here.
He’d come for me.
I’d imagined this day a million times.And from the cold, calculating expression on his face, so had he.
Heart in my throat, I raced for the door.As I got to it and twisted the two double-locks, I heard the men’s low, assured voices outside.I threw my back against the door, the walls closing in on me.I couldn’t breathe.My face was hot, and my pulse thudded in my ears.
Claudia watched me, concerned.“Roselynn?What’s going on?Who’s out there?”
I was scared silent, the door holding me up as I stared at her, eyes wide.There was the metal on metal sound of a key being pushed into the lock.Steve’s key.
I pushed all my weight against the door as whoever was on the other side tried to open it.They shoved but I managed to keep it closed.“My ex,” I breathed, my voice as fragile as a child’s.
“What?”Claudia asked.“You mean…thatex?I thought he was in prison!”
So had I.He must have gotten out early.I nodded frantically and croaked, “He’s out.”
She finally got the picture and came around the counter to help when a massive jolt sent me sprawling into her.She fell in a heap, and I slid across the floor on my hands and knees as Malcolm Markin’s stout silhouette appeared in the doorway.
He barreled through as if he owned the place, and when I jumped to my feet, he was staring at me, his eyes full of menace.“Well, get a load of this, son.”
