by Krista Lakes
It was three stick figures. There was a tall stick figure on one side, a small figure in the middle, and a figure wearing what Bonnie assumed was a skirt. They were all holding hands inside a blue square. Tyson said it was a picture of Dylan, Bonnie, and him swimming. It warmed her heart and made it ache at the same time.
She always got attached to her students. It was impossible not to, but Tyson was quickly stealing her heart. She shook her head and set the picture down. She was happy here, just like he was. In the two weeks she’d been here, this felt almost more like home than her townhouse did.
“Bonnie?” Tyson called from the kitchen doors. “There’s a stranger asking for you on the back porch.”
Bonnie’s ice ran cold. All the happy feelings from pudding painting fell from her like dropped water.
“What?”
“It’s a man. He says he’s looking for you,” Tyson told her. He came out of the kitchen and walked toward her. “I don’t know him.”
She swallowed hard on a suddenly dry throat.
“Did you tell him I was here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light. She didn’t want to scare him.
Tyson nodded proudly. “I said I’d come find you.”
Her heart pounded an odd rhythm in her chest. They’d found her. She glanced around, trying to figure out the quickest way out of the building. She needed to make sure Tyson stayed safe. She could drop him off at the kid cabins if she went out the south door. From there, she had her go bag ready. If she could get to her car, she could maybe make it out.
“Bonnie?” Chef stepped through the kitchen doors and smiled at her. “There you are. You have a package.”
Bonnie nearly ran right there. She nearly grabbed Tyson and sprinted, but she noticed the brown box in Chef’s hands.
“What?”
“You got a package. It looks like it’s from Amazon,” Chef said. “I signed for it. The delivery guy just needed a signature.”
Bonnie heard a car engine start up and saw the distinctive design of the delivery truck pass outside the window. It was a false alarm.
“Are you okay, Bonnie?” Chef asked, coming over and putting the back of her hand on Bonnie’s forehead. “You look like you might be sick.”
Bonnie pulled away. “I’m fine. My package wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow. It’s something for my computer.”
Chef handed her the small brown box. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” Bonnie replied automatically. She still wasn’t sure that she wasn’t going to puke all over the cafeteria floor, but she wasn’t going to tell Chef that. “Thank you for the package.”
“Sure thing,” Chef replied. She frowned but went back to the kitchen to finish prepping food for the next day.
Bonnie needed to be more careful. She didn’t realize how unprepared she was until just this minute. What if it hadn’t been a delivery? What if they had found her? They would have her, and probably Tyson and Chef too.
“Tyson? I need to go make a phone call. Can you head over to story time?”
“Sure, Bonnie.” The boy came over and gave her a big hug. She held him tight for a moment, thanking her lucky stars that the boy was still safe. She needed to protect him. She doubted the Trio would do anything to the staff here, but they could get caught in the crossfire if they came for her.
She made sure he made it safely out to the campfire area where the camp counselors were reading stories to the kids in pajamas. Tyson waved to her before running over to sit next to Elena. She watched him for a second before turning and going back to her cabin.
The camp was quiet all around her as she stood on her porch. The big pines rustled in the wind, but there was no other noise. She could smell rain on the way. She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone. It was a burner phone she’d picked up at a gas station on the state border.
She dialed Detective Patton’s number.
“Patton,” the familiar voice answered.
“It’s Bonnie,” she replied, knowing that he wouldn’t recognize the number.
“Bonnie! Are you okay?” he asked, but his tone was light. “Are you safe?”
“I’m okay.” She took a breath. “Actually, I’m calling you to make sure everything is still okay. How’s my brother?”
“He’s great,” Detective Patton said. She could hear the smile in his voice, and she imagined him sitting at his desk at the police station. “I think he’s actually enjoying this. He keeps talking about a job in law enforcement just so he can keep this job up.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. Of course, her brother would find a way to make the situation more fun. That was Brett.
“What about me?” She tried to keep her voice even. “Have you heard anything from them? Any threats?”
“There hasn’t been anything,” he assured her. “It’s been quiet. There haven’t been any threats to your brother or you. Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a good job of staying quiet. There’s no chatter.”
“And nothing’s popped up on the computer stuff?” she asked, still unconvinced of her safety. She was still spooked.
“I saw your background check request went through last week, but I handled it personally. No one saw it, but me and I made sure nothing could be traced back to you. You’re safe on that front. Congrats on the new job, by the way.”
She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her.
“Bonnie, is everything okay? Did something happen?” Worry crept into Detective Patton’s voice.
“Not really,” she admitted. “A delivery guy came a day early, and it gave me a scare.”
“I could see how that could make you think of this, Bonnie,” the detective agreed. “But Bonnie, there’s nothing. They’re busy dealing with bigger problems right now. I covered your tracks. You’re safe.”
Bonnie felt anything but safe.
“You’re sure?” she asked.
“As sure as I can be,” he told her. “Our undercover agents haven’t heard a thing. But listen, Bonnie. You need to trust your gut. If you don’t feel safe, then leave.”
“Okay, Mike.” She took a deep breath. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, Bonnie. If you need anything, you let me know. I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Mike.”
She hung up the phone and slid it into her pocket. Thunder rumbled overhead. It was late in the day for their daily afternoon shower. It was an evening shower tonight. It reminded her of her first night here. The storm clouds were dark and ominous above her. The air crackled with anticipation of rain and lightning.
She fiddled with the phone, trying to calm her nerves. She’d grown complacent. She’d grown comfortable here. She was fairly sure she was out of their reach, but then, who really knew?
A black sedan pulled up to the garage. The windows were tinted, and she didn’t recognize the plates. It slowed, did a slow circle around the garage and then sped went back toward the main entrance. She ducked inside her cabin, staying low to the ground and peeking out of the window on the door.
Her heart was in her mouth. She knew, logically, that it was probably just a lost foster parent. That happened a lot around here. She knew that there was a decent amount of security given that billionaires lived on and owned the ranch. Most likely, it was nothing. But what if it wasn’t? What if they were looking for her.
Anxiety gripped her chest and made it hard to breathe. Her heart wouldn’t slow down, and she kept thinking she heard the sound of footsteps outside her cabin.
She couldn’t stay here.
She needed to run. It was better if she ran now. It was better that she left before Tyson or Dylan became attached. If she left now, they would be disappointed, but they would forget her. If she left now, she could keep them safe.
Chapter 18
Dylan
Dylan watched as big fat raindrops fell from dark skies. Rain splattered on the windshield of his truck in messy splotches as the storm rolled in. Lightning flashed in the
distance, followed by a rolling boom of thunder.
The evening thunderstorm reminded him of the night Bonnie had arrived. The clouds were the same color, and the timing was similar. It made him smile. If the first storm had brought her into his life, he wondered what a second storm would bring.
He thought about their kiss last night. He worried that she was afraid of her ex coming back into the picture, but the way she’d spoken of him the other night made him think she was over the guy. She didn’t talk about him. The ex seemed to be a thing of the past.
He pressed harder on the gas pedal of the truck. He wanted to get home to see her. He’d spent the day helping Laura move a horse to a vet in Fort Collins. It had taken all day. He was glad the horse was doing well, but he hated that he’d missed the evening with Tyson and Bonnie. Spending time with the two of them was the highlight of his day.
He pulled the truck into the garage. He stood in the open garage door, looking out at the rain falling. It was mesmerizing to watch the big, fat drops plop onto the dry dirt and shake the needles on the pine tree. The smell was amazing. Fresh rain, dirt, and pine filled the air.
He wanted to see her. He thought about walking to her cabin. He knew a patch of wildflowers on the way. He thought of picking them to give her a bouquet. She deserved more. He thought of ordering flowers and having them delivered, but that didn’t feel as personal as picking them himself. He wanted to do something nice to surprise her.
The temperature was dropping. Summer was swift in the mountains. The evenings stayed cool, and the rain always made it cold. It would only be a month or two before the frost came with these showers and they turned to snow.
He looked out to see Bonnie walking through the rain toward her car. She had her red duffle-bag slung over her shoulder as she bent against the rain. There was only one reason for her to be out in the rain with that bag.
She was leaving. His chest contracted hard against his heart. He didn’t know why, but she was leaving.
He didn’t pause. He just ran out into the rain. It was cold enough to take his breath away as he ran across the rough grass and the gravel paths. He sprinted through the rain, thunder rumbling around him as he splashed through puddles and mud.
“Bonnie!”
She tossed her bag into her trunk and turned to face him. Her hair was dark with rain.
“I can’t stay, Dylan.” She shook her head, her brow drawn and sad. “I’m so sorry.”
“What?” He didn’t understand. “Why?”
He stood there in the pouring rain, thunder all around them, his shirt turning from light blue to navy with rain and his feet in the mud. What had changed? All thoughts of flowers left his mind.
“Why?” he repeated. His chest ached.
She swallowed hard. “I’m not safe here. I can’t stay.”
He took a step forward. “You were going to leave without saying goodbye.”
She shifted her weight and looked down at the ground. “I left a note in my room,” she said softly. She looked up, the rain streaking her beautiful face. “I have to leave.”
He took another step to her. His breath misted in the cold rain. She looked up at him, and he couldn’t tell if it was rain or tears on her cheeks.
“What about Tyson?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet and calm.
She looked away from him. “He’s better off without me.”
“That’s not true.” He thought of how much she’d gotten the little orphan boy to open up in just over a week. Tyson needed her. He needed her.
“You’re all better off without me,” she whispered. She looked at him again, her brown eyes big and full of fear.
He reached out and brushed a strand of wet hair from her cheek. “That’s certainly not true.”
“You don’t know,” she told him, pulling away.
“Then tell me.” He held his ground, the mist of his breath in the cold rain. The sound of thunder echoed between them.
She held still for a moment as if debating herself. Her eyes focused on him and her chin rose. “I’m not running from an ex-boyfriend. I’m running from the mob.”
He wasn’t expecting that. He blinked twice. “What?” Bonnie visibly sighed. She looked simultaneously like she had already told this story a million times and like she desperately wanted someone to confide in. “Please, at least come inside with me and tell me before you go.”
Her eyes lowered, then turned back toward her car. “You did fix my car. I guess I owe you that much.”
Dylan shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything, but I’d like to think that you can at least trust me enough to hear the real story before you go.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Okay. But it’s kind of a long one, so let’s go inside.”
He smiled, then put his arm around her as they walked inside.
Chapter 19
Bonnie
As soon as they were back inside, she threw her bag by the door and sat on the bed. Bonnie sighed. Better clear up the little white lies I told first, she thought.
“There really was a fire, but it wasn’t started by an ex-boyfriend.”
Dylan nodded at the confession, but didn’t seem fazed by the fact that she had told a little white lie.
“When I got there, I knew it was a message. And the message wasn’t for me, it was for my little brother,” she said.
“Your brother? The security guard?”
Bonnie nodded. “He witnessed a murder. Unfortunately, the murder was a professional hit by a crime family called the Trio. They’re a small organized crime group, but they’re growing. He’s in Witness Protection now.”
Dylan frowned. “So what led you to here?”
Bonnie sighed again, then began to tell the story.
She told Dylan everything that happened in her dream. The fire. The man in the crowd. The gesture he made. The overwhelming feeling of dread that she felt.
She looked around, trying to figure out where the man with the scar could have gone. There was a large crowd of people, but he wasn't with them. She searched the crowd. They were all watching her townhouse burn. No other houses were on fire yet, and she hoped they wouldn't catch. At least her brother wasn't here. He was safe somewhere with the police watching him.
“Are you okay, Bonnie?”
She nearly threw a punch at the person touching her shoulder. Luckily, Detective Patton ducked and pulled away before she had the chance to hit him. She felt bad about nearly clocking her neighbor. He was probably upset that his townhouse was nearly on fire too.
“Sorry, Mike.” She pulled her arm into her chest. “I'm just spooked. Did you see the guy over there?”
Detective Mike Patton followed her gaze to the edge of the parking lot. “Who exactly are you looking for? There's plenty of people over there. I see Mrs. Gonzales, Frank, Joe...”
“No, he has this scar on his cheek.” She drew her finger just along her cheekbone. “I swear I saw him at my house the night Brett reported the murder. He gave me the creeps.”
Patton's face darkened. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “The scar is pretty distinctive.”
“Dark hair? And you said the scar was across his right cheek? Not the left?” Detective Patton asked, putting both his hands on her shoulders. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Do you know who he is?”
Detective Patton swallowed hard. “He's the Trio's hitman. Are you sure you saw a scar?”
The Trio. They were the up-and-coming organized crime syndicate. They were the ones that Brett had witnessed and was going to testify against.
She hated that she had to nod. “Yeah.”
"I want you to go stay next to the fire truck," he said, taking her arm and guiding toward the large red vehicle. Police officers and firefighters were everywhere. "Do you have your bags packed in the car like I told you to?"
“Of course. I put everything in there the first night just like you said.”
"Good." He paused and looked her in
the eye. She'd known him as her neighbor for the past two years, but she'd never seen this expression on his face. His face was stoic and stern, but she could see a flicker of fear in the back of his eyes. He was worried about her.
“What's going on, Mike?” Her voice came out as a whisper.
“If I'm right, you're going to need to get out of town for a while,” he said quietly. He looked over at the fire. “God, I hope I'm wrong.”
“He wasn’t wrong, was he?” Dylan asked.
Bonnie shook her head. “It gets worse, though.”
She remembered the fire chief saying that the cause of the fire was her stove. He said that she'd placed a book too close to the gas cook-top and it had caught fire. She said that was impossible, but the fire investigator was adamant. She had put the book there.
According to his report, she'd set the paperback copy of a book called, “You're Next” on the stove. It was a crime thriller by an author she'd never even heard of. She had told the police it wasn't her book, but there was no way to prove it.
The investigator made sure the cops said the fire was an accident. It was his signature on the report that said this fire had nothing to do with the Trio. Since the police had no evidence of a threat against her, they couldn't protect her. They didn't have the manpower or money to protect her without proof that the Trio was after her to get to Brett.
She was on her own.
Except, Detective Patton believed her. He didn't believe that the fire was an accident for even a minute. He knew the fire was a warning to both her and her brother, even if he couldn't prove it. The Trio crime organization didn't want her brother to testify.
He was the one who told her to run. He helped her as much as he could.
She was just glad she'd already put her important belongings in her car the night of the murder. Detective Patton had told her to do it as a precaution. She was still packed the day of the fire, so she had enough clothes for a couple of weeks and all of her legal papers. She'd nearly left her photo albums in the house, but had tucked them in at the last minute. She knew she was lucky in that regard.