Page 32 of Wyoming Cowboy Undercover

A loud banging resounded on the door behind them.

Clutching Rocco, she ran faster. As fast as possible.

With each panicked step she took, three things filled her ears—the frenzied beat of her heart in time with the pounding of fists on the door, and Alex’s screams.

“Mercy!”

Bang. Bang.

“Mercy!”

Chapter Nine

It was nightfall by the time they made it to the outskirts of town. A downpour had started while they were racing through the woods. Rocco had been impressed with Mercy. Not only had she broken him out of the unburdening room, saving him from being drugged and beaten, but in the bunker, she’d stayed calm, even while Alex’s men shot at them. In the woods, she had kept up with the grueling pace he’d set over rough terrain. He’d only had to help her once or twice after the ground had turned muddy and slick. Most surprising of all, she had left with him when it would have been so much easier for her to stay.

The wind and rain continued to buffet them, soaking them through when they reached a small service station—the Dogbane Express. Panting, weary and wet, she had to be physically nearing the end of her endurance. Even though he was already blown away by her fortitude, he hoped she could wring a little more out of herself.

He marched up to the door and pulled it open, ushering her inside first.

“Wow, you two are drenched,” the attendant said. She gazed out toward the empty gas pumps. “Were you out walking in that storm?” The stocky woman came from behind the register.

“We were already far out and got caught in it.” Rocco glanced around and spotted a pay phone. One of the few still in the state. “Is that pay phone in service?”

“Yep. Sure is.”

He took out his wallet from his back pocket. The one item that security hadn’t confiscated. Cursing the fact that his vehicle was still on the compound, he whipped out a dollar bill and slapped it down on the counter. “Can I get change in quarters?”

The attendant hit a button on the register. The cash drawer opened with a beep. She set four quarters on the counter. “It’s on me.” She pushed the dollar back toward him.

“Thanks.” He slipped the bill in his pocket and grabbed the quarters. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Mercy.

Keeping an eye on her, he went to the pay phone and picked up the receiver. There was a dial tone, like the attendant had said, but he exhaled in relief, nonetheless.

The older woman looked over Mercy from head to toe. “Are you one of those Starlights from that compound?”

Rocco suspected it was her necklace that gave her away. He’d never seen her without it.

Shivering, Mercy nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

He put fifty cents in the slot and dialed a taxi company.

“Make a break for it, did you?” the attendant asked with a curious smile.

“Sort of.”

“I’ll get you a towel. Feel free to help yourself to some coffee. That’s on me, too. It’s fresh and it’ll warm you up.”

“Thank you,” Mercy said. She grabbed two cups and filled them with piping hot coffee. “That’s very kind of you.”

“I’ll go get a couple of towels from the back.”

He ordered a cab and then called Charlie. “Hey, it’s Rocco.”

“I haven’t heard from you since you took off with Mercy McCoy. It’s been days. Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I’m working.”

“With Mercy?” Shock rang in Charlie’s voice. “Is she an asset?”

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