Protecting the Enemy

by Christy Newton

  As soon as he turned the corner, Reid shot him in the head. How much more blood was she going to have to witness? Ironic, but true she was an assassin that squirmed at the sight of the thick metallic liquid. One of the reasons they’d trained her to erase with poison. They ran as fast and far as they could without stopping.

  Out of breath, Julianna paused and doubled over. She didn’t like to run right after eating. The stitch in her side was hindering her. Reid shook his head. Without warning, he picked her up as if she were a rag doll.

  She fisted his shirt as the blood rushed to her head. “What are you doing?”

  “You’re slowing us down.”

  Julianna couldn’t argue, so he carried her the next few blocks upside down over his shoulder. How humiliating!

  They reached a small strip mall of resale shops where he put her down. Reid checked for an alarm. An older system, so it was easy for him to disarm. He picked the lock and they went into the shop.

  Reid motioned to the clothing. “Choose something to wear. We need to change our appearance.”

  Julianna went over to a circular rack and found her size. She grabbed a pair of faded jeans and a black sweatshirt. No one would recognize her in secondhand clothes. While Reid was finding something for himself, she went into a tiny dressing room and pulled the curtain closed to change. She wasn’t cut out for being on the run. Things were getting too messy. Her reflection in the cheap mirror was horrible. She combed her fingers through her tresses. Her hair was crazy from being tossed upside down over Reid’s shoulder. His strong, very sexy shoulder. Her head pounded, so she sat down on the bench for a few seconds.

  With a deep breath, she walked out of the room and stood by the counter. A small box cutter caught her eye. Without pause, she shoved the knife into her pocket. Reid walked out of a dressing room. He had changed into dark jeans paired with a gray flannel shirt and topped it off with a baseball cap. How did he look so hot in secondhand clothing?

  “Pull up your hair and put on a hat.” He handed her a rubber band that he’d found who knew where.

  Julianna huffed as she wrapped a dirty band around her hair, trying not to think about the damage it would do. She glanced at him after her hair was pulled into a tight bun and for a split second she could have sworn she saw admiration in his eyes. Was the man insane? She looked terrible. She grabbed a knit beret from a bin, hoping it was clean.

  After locking the door, he trashed their old clothes in the dumpster out back. “We need to get out of sight fast, but the area hotels and motels will be the first places they look. Any ideas on where we can lay low until tonight?”

  She nodded without hesitation. “We look for an apartment complex, check the mailboxes and find the one with the piled up mail. That person is most likely on vacation.” The idea had come to her suddenly, almost like a memory. She was certain it wasn’t something that ETE 7 had taught her.

  “Jewels, that’s brilliant.” He smiled and started to hug her, but dropped his arms to his sides.

  They left the clothing shop and walked the back way through the town. They didn’t have any luck with the first apartment complex. The next, they’d hit the jackpot… after Reid picked the office lock and accessed all the mailboxes to find one stuffed with ads and bills. Careful, not to be seen by a nosy neighbor, Julianna got them inside the vacated apartment. Reid checked the place out while she stood watch. The renter didn’t have so much as a plant to water. Unless the tenant came back before tomorrow, they should be safe there.

  ***

  Reid was surprised when Julianna had suggested the apartment. And even more surprised he didn’t think of it first. On their very first assignment together, they’d run into some trouble with their mark and took residence in his complex at a vacationing neighbor’s place. Had she remembered? His emotions were getting the better of him, but hen again, with Jewels they always did.

  Julianna stood in front of him while she pulled the band out of her hair, pain registering on her face. She rubbed the back of her head with a frown. “That’s the hair band of death!”

  Reid chuckled as she plopped down on a black suede sofa. He surveyed the place they’d stay for the night. The white walls held cheap contemporary art which mimicked the colorful area rug beneath his feet. A small flat screen T.V. set on an oak stand in the corner of the room. No phone, which wasn’t unheard of these days. He walked down the hall to the only bedroom. No PC. Whoever lived here took any electronics devices with them.

  He walked back into the living room to find it empty. His heart dropped, until he turned to find Julianna in the kitchen rummaging through drawers. He wasn’t sure if she would bail on him, which would only mean bad news for them both.

  She turned as he approached. “Looking for an iPad, tablet, or anything to get us online. Anything in the bedroom?”

  “No. It’s for the best. If we’re not online, they can’t trace us. We should rest while we can.” Besides, he knew of someone that could get them the information they needed.

  She crossed her arms. “I’m not tired.”

  Stubborn as always. “We’ve only had four hours of sleep. At least try. We need our wits about us if we are going to survive.”

  ***

  Julianna woke up to a sizzling noise and the smell of bacon causing her stomach to rumble. As her eyes focused she remembered where she was. On the run. With the enemy. She sauntered into the kitchen to find Reid frying some food. The aroma made her mouth water. His hair was wet; he must have taken a shower. She hadn’t even heard the water. Oh was she slipping. Exhaustion must have won out, letting her finally fall into a deep sleep. With his back turned to her, a memory flashed. A glass bowl filled with green apples set on the countertop inside of a small red kitchen. She narrowed her eyes and held her fingertips to her temples trying to go deeper into the memory, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

  Reid grabbed a plate out of the cabinet and slid a heaping pile of greasy bacon strips onto it. “Found a package in the fridge, not much else except for soda.”

  “Thanks.” She sat down at the small oak table and took a piece of the salty meat.

  He slid in the seat across from her and helped himself to a few strips. “This isn’t the first time I’ve cooked for you. In fact, you loved my cooking.”

  She swallowed. “I don’t believe you.” The flashback of the red kitchen pushed its way back into her head. She shoved another piece of bacon in her mouth and chewed.

  Reid sat down his can of cola. “You really don’t remember do you?”

  Her stomach felt as if she’d swallowed a pile of lead. Maybe she did remember. Bits and pieces anyway.

  “After the explosion, I looked for you for a very long time.” He rubbed his face that had gotten a little scruffy from not shaving. “I thought you were dead.” She saw a hint of pain in his eyes.

  She lost her appetite. Why was he saying this? It was no time to get emotional. Besides it made no sense, Brandon said she was all alone… unless he’d lied.

  “Julianna, I love—loved you once.” He paused. “You are my fiancée. Before the damn explosion, we were engaged.”

  The bacon strip dropped out of her hand. The second time Reid had made her drop something. “You’re lying.” She strained her brain trying to remember, but her head was an empty black space before waking up in the hospital.

  He hesitated as if trying to find the words. “I’m telling you the truth.” He swallowed causing his Adam’s apple move. “We were so happy and crazy about each other.”

  She pushed her plate away and stood up. “I need a shower.”

  On the way to the bathroom she heard Reid’s fork drop onto his ceramic plate and then the sound of dishes crashing into the stainless steel sink. She shook her head and took a deep breath. She stripped off her clothes and didn’t bother locking the door. What was the point? Locks didn’t stop members of ETE 7.

  She turned on the shower, with trembling hands and closed her eyes. The hot water pelte
d against her skin. After a few minutes, she lowered her shoulders feeling relaxed. A man’s arms were around her as he showed her how to aim her Glock more precisely, she turned to him and smiled… feeling love. The man was Reid Castleton. She hadn’t been alone. She’d belonged. That memory made her slink to the bottom of the tub and cry with her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. Despite the heat of the water, she shivered. Goosebumps prickled her skin. What the heck was going on?

  Chapter 3

  Reid calmed himself down by washing and drying the dishes they’d used. He’d spent a lot of time doing mundane tasks while she’d been missing. Anything to fill the void that she’d left. He put away the clean dishes just as he’d found them. Deep in thought, he removed a soft dusting cloth from the drawer and started wiping away any prints that could have been left behind. An easy, but time consuming task.

  He glanced at the wall clock, which told him it was time to move. They shouldn’t linger any longer than necessary in an occupied apartment. There was no telling when the resident would return home. Julianna walked into the room carrying a wet towel. Her shiny, blow dried hair cascaded down her shoulders taking his breath away.

  “I’ve already wiped down the bathroom.”

  He tried to look away from her, but was mesmerized. She always had looked attractive with makeup, but without it her natural beauty was able to shine. In truth, he’d always liked her without cosmetics. “You’re sure you didn’t leave a stray hair or two?”

  Julianna clacked her tongue. “What do you take me for, an amateur?” She dropped her used towel into the garbage bag he’d sat in the middle of the room.

  He looked away as he continued to wipe the surfaces clean. Her footsteps told him she approached from behind.

  “I remembered something. About my past, I mean.”

  He folded the cloth and stuck it in his pocket. Anxious, he turned to look into her eyes trying to keep a smile from forming. He held his breath. “You did? What?”

  She hesitated. “Were you my handler?”

  Reid sighed. Not the memory he was hoping for, but it was a start. “Yes. That’s how we met.” He reached out and touched the tip of her nose. “I taught you everything.”

  Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink without the help of makeup. Rarely was the woman before him caught blushing. He liked it and decided to take it a step further. He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear in his sexiest voice, “And I’m not just talking about ETE 7.”

  He moved his lips dangerously close to hers. How he’d missed the smoothness of her skin and the sweet unique taste of her.

  Julianna’s breath caught as she moved her lips closer to his before pulling away. “I bet I taught you a thing or two as well.” She walked away. “We’d better get going.” With a smile, she opened the door and motioned out to the hall.

  Son of a bitch. She’d turned the flirting right back on him and left him wanting her more than ever. He grabbed the garbage bag of their trash and walked past her. They scanned their surroundings for any lurking assassins. If they had lost ETE 7, it wouldn’t be for long.

  Reid dumped the trash bag into one of the big dumpsters behind the apartment complex.

  They got a taxi and had the driver take them on the opposite side of town. When Reid was satisfied that they’d traveled far enough, he told the driver to stop near the Red Roof hotel across the street. As long as they kept moving they’d be more difficult for ETE 7 to track.

  After Reid checked them in and got a key to their room, they grabbed some snacks and drinks from the vending machines outside. “We need to keep out of sight.”

  They got back to the room and sat down at the small round table in the corner. Julianna popped open a can of cold soda. “Agreed. Maybe you could give me my gun back now?”

  Reid shrugged. “Okay.” He handed her the empty gun.

  Julianna glared at him. “And some bullets would be nice.”

  “Not yet.” He winked. “Soon… maybe.”

  “Whatever. I don’t need them anyway.” She grabbed a candy bar and opened it.

  He watched her devour the chocolate and tried not to get turned on when she licked the caramel from her lip. What he’d give to be that piece of candy.

  ***

  Julianna finished eating and walked over to the bed. The mattress was no better than the rest had been. She’d never take her own bed and sheets for granted again. It wasn’t as if she could exactly cozy up with the hotel covers. Who knows when they washed that bed spread last? Once she’d read that the spreads were only washed once a month. She climbed into bed and her stomach turned.

  She probably shouldn’t complain too much, the times she’d been sleeping on the uncomfortable substandard beds, Reid had been sleeping in chairs. She’d let him sleep with her if she thought she could control herself, but being in the same room with the man was hard enough. Even though he was a bit of a pain, he looked and smelled delectable. Not to mention, her hormones went crazy out of control every time they had touched. Her heart raced just thinking about it.

  Reid stretched his legs and propped his feet up on the table. “Night, Jewels.”

  She sighed into the scratchy fabric of the pillow. “Night.”

  ***

  Julianna cracked open her eyes.

  Reid sat perched on the edge of the bed, wide awake. “You’re not a morning person are you?”

  She yawned. “What was your first clue?”

  He shoved his gun into his waistband. “Mornings didn’t used to bother you.” He looked at the clock. “Though it’s almost ten.”

  Julianna narrowed her eyes at him and rolled over. She’d just fallen asleep five hours ago.

  “We have to get going. I need something more substantial than bacon and candy from a vending machine. I’m a man. I can’t live on bird food.”

  She could feel his presence on the bed beside her. It was obvious she wasn’t going to get any more sleep. “Okay.” She rolled over and looked down at the floor. In the middle of the night she’d taken off her clothes—at home she’d sleep naked. “Turn around.”

  Reid picked her shirt up off of the floor and handed it to her with a smile.

  She grabbed the clothing from him. “Thanks.”

  He stood up and walked over to the door. She slipped her clothes on and ran her fingers through her hair. No time to feel self-conscious, he’d already seen her at her worst. “Ready.”

  They walked out of the hotel using the side exit as to not draw attention to themselves. The sun shone brightly making it feel warmer than it was.

  Reid got them a taxi and they headed west, until they came to a steakhouse. Her stomach growled at the thought of a big meal. When they walked into the restaurant and she smelled the food she was almost tempted to grab a roll off of the waitress’ tray.

  Reid sat down across from her in a corner booth and picked up a menu. “Now this is what I’m talking about. Man food. ”

  Julianna scanned the menu. Everything on it looked so good she couldn’t decide right away. Reid took a handful of peanuts from the pail at the table and started cracking them open. Julianna followed his lead. While they snacked, the waitress took their orders and then brought them their drinks and bread basket.

  She wiped her hands on the napkin and took a piece of warm, buttered bread. The roll was so sweet it tasted like a donut. The only thing that would make it better is if it were chocolate. “This is delicious.”

  Reid grinned and took another roll. “Just wait until the steak and potatoes come out.”

  Julianna eyed him. He seemed to be in a good mood knowing his stomach would soon be full. “Are you ever going to give me some bullets?”

  He brushed the peanut shells to the side. “Someday.”

  She swallowed a bite of bread. “What if you need my help?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “The better question is what if you decide to kill me?”

  “If I were going to kill you, I could have already.” She took a sip o
f her soda and gently set the glass down. “I think you’re forgetting what I am capable of. On the train the woman across from us had pills I could have gotten a hold of and slipped into your food or drink, any number of times.”

  Reid looked down at his soda and pushed it aside.

  She smiled. “At the hotel, I could have strangled you with the floor lamp cord while you were sleeping.”

  He cringed.

  “Then at the clothing store, I grabbed this.” She removed a small box cutter from her pocket.

  “Touché, point taken.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few bullets. “A peace offering.”

  She took the ammunition from him. “Thank you.”

  He grinned. “Thank you, for not killing me in the many ways you just described.”

  Chapter 4

  When the sun had settled down into the horizon, they made their way back toward Baltimore. The taxi driver with greasy hair dropped them off at the address that Reid had given. They stepped out of the car and watched it drive away. Julianna looked at Reid in disbelief as they stood in front of an old stone church on the edge of the city. The full moon allowed her to see that the concrete beneath her feet was a bit crumbled as well as some of the brick around the doorframe. A brisk breeze blew a wisp of hair over her eye, tickling her cheek. She reached up and tucked the strand behind her ear. Reid removed a key from his shoe and unlocked the large wooden door, which seemed newer than the rest of the structure.

  “This is your safe hiding place?” She’d pictured a locker someplace or maybe a safe deposit box at a small bank. She never would have thought of a church. An assassin using a church just seemed wrong.

  He half grinned. “This would be the last place anyone would look for anything to do with me, so yes it is.”

  The door creaked as he opened it for her. Only softly lit, the inside of the church was beautiful with the colorful stained glass and shiny pews. The further she walked into the space a mixture of pine scented cleaner and century-old books permeated the air. She hadn’t taken Reid for the religious type, especially with their choice of career.