Toxic

by Debra Jupe

  She walked to the room and pushed the door open all the way. She moved further inside and stood at the foot of his bed, her back to the wall. Crashes of thunder vibrated through the house, lightning popped past the windows.

  Gracie should leave, but she could think of a lot of things she’d rather do than go out into this weather.

  On the other hand, she didn’t want Ethan to show up and catch her at his house after he’d dumped her. Again. If she had a choice of fighting hurricane force winds or getting caught at Ethan’s home, the storm would win.

  She rushed toward the exit. She stopped, swallowing a scream. Panic seared through her. Her gut twisted. A glint of her light captured a movement on the further side of the bed. She remained motionless as she stared at a shadowed outline.

  Gracie silently inhaled and took a small step, keeping her eyes on the darkened silhouette. The figure moved, too. Something hit against her knees. She stumbled and fell sideways, landing in the middle of Ethan’s soft mattress. She instantly rose to her feet, shuffling toward the door, fearing the person in the room would be upon her in the matter of seconds.

  Nothing happened. Gracie waved her light. The profile mimicked her. She released a chuckle. Only her image in the mirrored closet.

  She walked to her reflection and put her hands on the closet and cracked the door open. Flashes surged, roars rattled louder. She became still, starring at the mirror. Her heart hammered into her chest.

  Something behind her had moved.

  She wasn’t alone. And the other person wasn’t there for a social visit. Instincts told her to run. Get out. Now.

  Chapter 23

  Gracie ran for the door. Large hands grabbed her shoulders and yanked her backward. Massive arms encased her upper torso, securing her wrists between big, rough palms, rendering her nearly immobile. She swung a leg to the rear, driving her heel into a shin.

  Her assailant released a raw groan and threw her down onto the bed, bending her arms behind her. Her phone was still clutched between her fingers. The attacker knocked it away, bouncing the device off the floor, as a sharp heaviness pushed into the small of her back. He anchored her feet with one leg, and tightened her wrists together behind her.

  The only thing that could move was her heart, thrashing into her ribcage.

  He bent to press harder into her. Stale breath brushed against her cheek. An angry, voice whispered in her ear. “Who are you and why are you here?”

  Screams wedged in her throat as fear gripped her insides. She buried her face into the wad of sheets. She needed to calm down. Think. She wouldn’t be able to overpower this guy. If she wanted to escape, she’d have to use her brains.

  He clutched a chunk of her hair and jerked her head backward, still keeping a firm hold over the rest of her. “I asked you a question.”

  Gracie inhaled. A loud crack echoed from behind, followed by a fainting moan. He let go and rolled off her as a thump connected with the floor.

  She was free.

  For a moment.

  Strong fingers grasped her upper arm and spun her with added force. A beam of light shined into her face.

  “Gracie,” he deadpanned.

  Gracie squinted into the brightness, then relaxed into the mattress. “Ethan.”

  He glared at her. “What are you doing here?” He heaved her into a sitting position and snapped off the flashlight. “Don’t say a word.”

  “Then how come you’re asking me questions?”

  “We’ll discuss this later. Right now, be quiet.” He nearly jerked her off the bed. “We need to leave.”

  Gracie wrestled away, tumbling back onto the mattress determined not to go anywhere until he answered her questions.

  He snatched her wrist again and pulled her to her feet, bringing her close to him. “I’m not kidding, we have to get out of here. Now.”

  “Seriously. The rain is pouring down. I’m sure the water is almost up to the house. We’d be smart to stay put until this lets up.”

  “Seriously. Staying is not an option. Where did you park your pick-up?”

  “Same place as the other day. Ethan, I need some explanations before we do anything.”

  “I could use a couple of answers myself.” Flashes of lightning showed his stern look. “But now’s not the time.” Keeping a firm hold on her, he led her into the living room.

  “Wait.” She stopped, twisting her arm from his grip. “My cell phone is on your bedroom floor.”

  “You can get it later.” He took her hand and tugged, lifting a leg to take a large step. “Watch out.”

  Her foot hit against something hard. She stumbled forward. Ethan squeezed his grasp to keep her upright. She pointed at the roadblock and gave the object a curious stare. “What is that?”

  He picked up a duffle sitting near the exit. “Let’s go.”

  Gracie wrenched away and gaped at the dark, large obstacle covering the hardwood. Another spurt of light illuminated the room.

  A shriek escaped. She gestured at the mound. “That’s a body.” She stared at Ethan. “A dead person.”

  “Persons.”

  For the first time, she noticed a huge, fresh gash on the side of his head.

  Blood oozed from the wound and streamed down his face. The lack of lighting made it difficult to judge how bad the cut was, though the slash didn’t look good.

  “As in two. A second is on the other side of the bed. He had a hold of you before I took him out. Don’t understand how you missed either of them. Now quit yelling, better yet, stop talking. Let’s get out of here before we run into any more trouble.”

  “You’re bleeding, too. What happened to you?” She pointed to the man on the floor. “Did he do that to you or the other one?”

  Ethan nodded at the guy at their feet. “Him.” He walked to the doorway and scanned the outside. “Might be more waiting for us. They’ll do much worse if they catch us.”

  Gracie followed him and peered around him. The rain blew sideways, although the worst of the storm seemed to have passed.

  “Perfect.” He snatched her hand and pulled her into downpour.

  Cold drops stung her skin as wet winds swirled about. Keeping low, Ethan guided her through the prickliest brush, puddles of rising water, and sloshy mud.

  By the time they reached her truck, they were breathless, soaked, and filthy.

  Ethan opened the passenger door and gently shoved Gracie inside before he threw his duffle into the backseat. Then he hurried to the driver’s side. Once settled, he turned the engine and drove out of the cove.

  He guided the truck onto a hidden road, which went undetected unless someone was aware of it. Neither spoke. Ethan focused on fighting the reeling wind and heavy rains. Gracie glanced at the enigmatic man beside her and shivered, unsure if the quiver was from her being cold, angry, or if she was scared. Maybe a little of each. Whatever the cause, she needed to strategize a way out of this mess.

  “You shouldn’t leave your keys inside your vehicle. Your truck might’ve been stolen.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” She paused and swallowed hard. “I left them in the ignition in case I needed a quick getaway.” She gave him a side glance. “Who knew?”

  “I want to understand this. Explain to me why you broke into my house.”

  Gracie flinched. And there it was. She was hoping the nasty weather might prolong this conversation because she had no desire to reply. Yet, she had questions of her own, and her nerves may burst unless she got answers.

  “I liked to understand things, too. Who were those men inside your house?”

  “Let’s try this again.” Ethan took his eyes off the rutted highway to glance at her. “Why were you inside of my home? This is the second time this week you’ve come over uninvited. I’m beginning to get some uneasy vibes about you.”

  “Yeah, I’m not the only one giving off uneasy vibes.” She crossed her arms across her chest and turned away. “Since I’ve saved you a couple of times, and slept with
you, I think I deserve a pass on this one.”

  “The first time maybe, but not tonight. I made myself clear today. We’re done.”

  “Exactly. And I need resolution.” She blew out a stream of air, doing her best to keep the shakiness out of her voice. “We were fine. We had a good time together. As quick as we started, everything stopped. I understand up to a point. You never intended for this relationship to happen. For that matter, neither did I. But it did. You ended us. I’m guessing because of your involvement in this Mike situation. Then I see you with someone else.” She took another deep breath. “That’s not fair, Ethan. When you sleep with a woman and leave her after, be a decent guy and explain the reason.”

  Ethan turned onto a smoother road and pressed the floor-peddle, but didn’t say a word.

  “Okay. And you’re the first guy that I’ve…you know…”

  “Had sex with?”

  “Right. You’re the first I’ve slept with since the divorce. Maybe I’m a little crazy because I need to know I’m not. That I can make a good choice, even if it’s not forever. I’ve come to realize I didn’t make a great decision when I married Stewart. I suppose I’ve come off a bit needy in the process.”

  He remained silent. So much for confessions. Figures. In retrospect why did it matter? He’d already ended their relationship anyway.

  “So much for resolution on either side. Where are we going or do you plan to keep me in the dark about that too?”

  “I have someplace to be.”

  “Of course. Shouldn’t I get a little more information since I’m along for the ride?”

  “Doesn’t concern you.”

  The tires caught on a slippery groove. The truck slid sideways, heading for the overflowing gulley. Gracie’s teeth sank into her bottom lip as she grabbed the dashboard. Ethan pumped the brake and turned into the skid until the vehicle was back onto the roadway.

  “Ahhh, safe,” he said, as if he were impressed with his driving skills.

  “I don’t feel safe.”

  “Why don’t you?”

  “Um, two dead guys in your house is enough. Tell me what you’re up to. You owe me that much.”

  He slanted a second side glance at her. “Okay, I’m going to say this. You had no business at my home. Also, you and your buddies shouldn’t have been hanging around at the nursery tonight. Any one of you could get hurt or worse. That’s a dangerous place, and you need to stay away.”

  “So that was you. I thought so.”

  Ethan kept his eyes glued ahead.

  “Gunshots. Body in a greenhouse. Then the two men inside your house.” She shook her head. “You’re mixed up in some kind of mess, aren’t you?”

  “What are you babbling about?” Ethan pulled the truck to the side of the road, threw the gear into neutral, and spun to her. “You want an explanation, so I’ll explain a small bit, but once I do, no more questions.” He coughed dryly and then cleared his throat. “When I got home, I discovered my front door was unlocked. After things that have been happening, I was suspicious, and rightly so. Two men were inside. One waited in the main area and the other held you down on the bed. The first guy—let’s just say he almost got me, and the second—it was you or him. So I did what I had to do to save you.”

  “Thank-you,” she said in a small voice. “I suppose you won’t explain why they’re after you.”

  “No.”

  “Are you going to notify someone about those men in your house?”

  “Taken care of.”

  Ethan put the gear back into drive and manipulated the vehicle back onto the highway. The rain had let up. Sputters of lightning revealed tall stalks on either side of the road. Gracie glanced at Ethan’s blood stained profile.

  “Will you at least tell me where are you taking me?”

  “I’ve already told you. To an appointment. And the only reason you’re going is because you crashed my home and placed yourself in danger.” His tone was soft but clear. “You’ve given me no choice.”

  “Where is this meeting?”

  “At a motel.”

  Gracie’s head snapped. “At a what?”

  He may as well kill her too, because after everything they’d been through, she would go to a motel with him over her dead body.

  “You heard me.”

  “I did. Either I’m delusional or I misunderstood you.”

  He stayed quiet.

  “Unbelievable. I don’t know what kind of ideas you’re entertaining, but after this afternoon, our sex days are over. For good for me since I’m constantly fooled by men. Anyway, you can drop me off here, or kill me, or whatever you plan on doing with me. But we won’t be sleeping together. Nope.” She shook her head. “Not happening.”

  “Calm down. No hidden motives here, that’s where I need to be.”

  “Your meeting is at a motel. Oh wait your appointment is at a motel. Rather late for a rendezvous. Does it involve a woman? Like the blonde I saw you with this afternoon?”

  His attention deviated to focus as he steadily guided the truck through a water-filled slope. “We’re going to wait.”

  “What exactly are we waiting for?”

  “You ask a lot of questions.”

  “You could try answering some of them.”

  “I did. I told you where we’re going. One more answer than I intended to give you.”

  “How charming,” she quipped, tired of his vague attitude. “You should calculate charm into your point’s column. It doesn’t have anything to do with sex so this would be a different kind of points, although I’m sure you can diversify the point data. Is that doable?”

  “I sense hostility.”

  “Do you? You’ve concealed a lot about yourself. I don’t even know you.” Gracie made a frustrated noise. “Why can’t you be honest? If we can’t be truthful and trust one another—” She flung a hand. “Never mind. Our weekend together was only about the sex anyway.”

  “Gracie.”

  “This is what I think. You like me.” She twisted and poked a forefinger into his shoulder. “You want more with me, but that can’t happen. Do you know why?”

  “No.” Ethan sighed. “I suppose you’re going to tell me.”

  “You’re a liar.”

  “A fair assessment,” he said sarcastically. “Didn’t you say you don’t know me?”

  “Okay, I don’t know you, but I know you.”

  “That makes no sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense. You just don’t understand.”

  “You got me there.”

  They remained silent as he turned off onto a paved two-lane highway. The rain began to come down again. After what seemed like hundreds of miles of driving, Ethan was forced to slow up. A semi-truck surrounded by police cars’ flashing lights blocked the traffic. People stood in the rain, lined up in the wet ditch.

  Gracie pointed to the scene, her head spun as they passed. “What’s going on?”

  “Border patrol. Looks like they’ve intercepted a smuggling operation, probably from Mexico or further into South America. The coyotes running the setup will be pissed at the driver for getting caught. From what I hear, human contraband is a lucrative business.”

  She turned for one last look at the group as they faded into the distance. “I understand they’ve come here illegally, but I can’t help but feel bad for those people. They must be terrified.”

  “I’m sure. Unfortunately, the authorities have a job to do, and it’s not always pleasant.”

  Gracie laid her head back into the seat. After the day she had, she was exhausted. Her eyelids dropped. She drifted into a comfortable dose. It seemed like she’d just fallen asleep when an unexpected lurch woke her. She raised and blinked several times. The storm had moved on, with only sparks of light in the distant clouds provided evidence that it occurred.

  They’d parked in the lot of a rundown motel. A blue neon sign flashed in front. A harshly-lit bare window indicated vacancies available.

  Gracie to
ok in the Deluxe Inn logo plastered over the doorway. “Looks like a classy place.”

  “Nothing but the best. Wait while I go check in.”

  He got out, taking the keys, and strolled into the office. Minutes later he returned. He restarted the engine and guided the vehicle past a short line of rooms to the back, then pulled into a space near the rear center of the building.

  “We’re staying here?”

  “What? You don’t like this place?” he asked with playfulness in his voice. A first for the evening. “You hoped for a five star resort with a butler, personal chef, and, turn down service with mints on the pillow, oh no wait, you’d prefer chocolate.”

  She bit her bottom lip. The single story, brick building appeared old and dirty, even in the dark. A small, dingy light bulb hung over each door revealing a need of a coat of paint.

  “I hoped for at least clean sheets.”

  He pulled the handle up and glanced at her. “Think of the adventure. Something to tell the grandkids one day.”

  Ethan snatched the bag from the back and stepped outside. Gracie followed him into the humid night air. He reached into his pocket bringing out an old- fashioned motel room key with a number five taped on one side. He opened the door and moved aside for her to enter.

  She walked inside and took in the surroundings. The place smelled damp and musty. “You’re sure your appointment’s here?”

  Ethan turned on the solitary lamp. A cheerless low wattage bulb lit the room. He placed his duffle on the single bed, then stepped to a window unit and flipped a button. The air conditioner clanked three times, then blew a warm draft.

  “It’s late and I’m beat.” Ethan yawned. “I’m ready for some sleep.”

  “I’m not sleeping with you.”

  “Sleep standing up, the floor, the bed. Your choice.” He unzipped the duffle, drew out a large t-shirt, and threw it at her. “Wherever you chose, you’ll want to clean up and change into something dry.”

  An arm flew out to snatch the shirt. “You need to ditch this attitude. I may have crossed a line or two—”

  “May have?”

  “I might be just a weekend fling to you, but I’m more than that.” She shook the shirt at him. “I deserved to be treated better than this.”