Truce or Dare (Sweet Fortuity Book 1) (21 page)

* * *

N
one
of them were her brother.

It felt a little anti-climactic, because we observed each face, but none of them were familiar.

One man stood waiting, dark-haired and olive-skinned. He was tall, his build bulkier, and he was carrying a case as he paced back and forth. Two men emerged right after, and they were both taller, but leaner, a blond and a redhead. I was surprised how fast it took.

Everything was going rather smoothly when Kate, who looked a little freaked out and a little pale, accidentally stepped over a branch. It made a snapping noise that pierced through the night. My hands flew to my mouth. Crap.

The men merely turned around, and scanned the area.

“Probably just rats,” I heard the first dark-haired guy say.

The blonde guy was about to take a step in our direction when the redhead whispered something in his ear. The blonde guy ignored him and continued walking closer.

Oh shit.

"It's okay, we'll be fine,” Sierra said quietly with a straight face. Only I didn’t know if she was trying to convince us or herself.

”No, it's not okay!” I whispered, starting to panic. “I don't want to die. We need to get out of here.”

Another branch snapped, this time from Sierra.

I looked back at her, putting a finger over my mouth. When I looked behind me, everyone was gone.

“Where is everyone?” I was starting to panic. “Oh my God. I'm going to do die."

"Why do you keep saying that word?" Sierra hissed. “Only one place to hide, really.”

I pressed both my lips together tightly. I didn’t mean to say it, but I couldn’t help the images that sprung in my mind.

We were both rushing to slip in the space between two buildings. We found everyone there, pressed tightly in the small space.

I heard someone sneeze.

“Shhh,” me and Kate both put a finger over our lips.

“The fuck did you slather in your hair?” Wes demanded in a hushed voice. “Smells like oranges.”

“They’re apricots,” I heard Haley reply defensively. “They smell amazing.”

Wes muttered something back inaudibly.

When I peeked out, with Kate’s death grip on my arm, the street was empty. It didn’t seem like anyone was coming.

“Lets go home,” I heard Kate say. “Your brother isn’t there. Must be a blessing in disguise that he wasn’t involved with that.”

“I say aye. I’ve had five, six hours sleep today,” Haley said.

“Okay,” Eva conceded, but she only sounded deflated.

“Maybe in ten minutes to make sure they’re gone,” I suggested.

I heard a sneeze again. Wes wore a scowl.

Unsurprisingly, Wes gave Eva an earful on the way home. He was pissed, and the blame bled over to us. We hung our heads low. We did something totally reckless, and I had a feeling Chase wouldn’t be spared from the details. I wasn’t looking forward to that.

Throughout Wes’ tirade, Eva vacantly stared out the window. Somehow, remembering her response to dropping the search earlier at Goodies’, I had a feeling it would be pretty damn hard to get Eva to do something she didn’t want to do.

* * *

S
he proved me wrong
.

Just as I was loading the dishwasher, my phone began to ring. Chase looked at me curiously. I had a feeling he knew something was going on. It was a wonder Wes hadn’t told him about it yet.

“I give up searching for him,” Eva told me, much to my surprise. “I shouldn’t have put you guys in danger. I’ll put out feelers, but I won’t actively search for him.” It was mingled with a little regret, but somehow, a little stilted.

“You won’t search for him anymore?” I asked, somewhat doubtful. She had no reservations about watching a drug-dealing transaction, but now she was letting it go just like that?

“I won’t get you in trouble anymore,” she said quietly. “It was stupid. I’ll let you guys know if I find out anything.”

Wanting to offer some form of comfort, I told her, “I hope he comes back, Eva.”

For her sake, I hope he did.

I heard her sigh. “Me too.”

* * *

I
t looked
like Chase just got off a call too, because a muscle ticked in his jaw when he emerged from the room. He looked ready to chew someone’s head off.

Oh damn. May as well start telling him. “That was Wes, wasn’t it?” I brought up, bracing myself for his reaction.

He muttered a string of curses. “You could’ve been hurt.”

“Nothing happened.”

“That’s not the point, Sherr,” he replied, clipped. He approached me, and his hand shot to the fridge.

“She’s been worried sick about him,” I tried to explain. “Chase, you didn’t see her. I’ve never seen her look like that. We had to help her, and we–”

His eyes blazed. “Do you have any idea what it would do to me if something happened to you?”

“I do,” I blurted out before I even thought about it. “I’m sorry.”

My eyes were focused on his shoulder, not daring to look at him.

He went silent for a little while. His hands squeezed my shoulder. “You do, huh?” A hand went to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His touch was tender, his voice lower, and when I looked up, gone was the fury, replaced by something else. Something softer. Something sweeter. “That mean something?”

“I didn’t mean to make you worry,” I babbled on like he hadn’t said a word, feeling like I needed to explain. “I had my phone. I thought it was crazy, but it was only going to be for one night, and Eva was miserable. And if…”

Noticing he wasn’t saying anything, I realized his lips were pressed together, as if trying hard not to laugh.

I frowned, put a hand on his chest, and pushed. Or tried to. It didn’t work, because he wouldn’t budge. “It’s not funny!”

“I guess subtle isn’t going to work,” he mused.

I didn’t feel like unraveling riddles today. I broke free, frustrated that he was talking about something else altogether. “I’ll make chili,” I declared.

“Need help?” he offered.

“I’ll be fine, thanks,” I said, looking for a pan.

But then his arms went around me, just holding me still. I placed a hand over his arm, wanting to soothe.

“Nearly fucking lost it,” he muttered. “Next time you do something that crazy, I need to know, okay?”

And because I didn’t want him to worry, and I’d had enough craziness today, I gave him that. “Okay,” I said softly.

I
t was
the perfect weather for a run. The sun was out again and I was looking forward to going out and getting a good workout.

I was damn near skipping this morning.

It was strange. Somehow, I felt like I’d gained a newfound appreciation and perspective for things, and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

There was no other way to describe the feeling– I felt, with a lightness of heart, like I could conquer the world.

Everything just felt
right
.

I also woke up and found out that Chase had gone to work early today, but he made me pancakes.

Pancakes. With chocolate chips! My heart swelled. He’d thought of me, and he’d made sure I knew it.

As I was pulling out some chocolate syrup, my phone burst out with the light, perky tune. Chase called, as I was learning was his habit just before he arrived at work, to check up on me.

“Morning, beautiful,” he said, his voice sexy, a little rough and just perfect. “Going for a run?”

“Morning,” I sighed. “Yep.”

“Get Haley.”

“‘Kay."

"Busy tonight?" he asked.

"Not really.”

"Wanna show you something later," he said warmly.

“Oh,” I said, pleasantly surprised. Then, “‘Okay, I’ll be here. Thanks for the pancakes by the way,” I told him, not quite wanting to let him go.

“Any time, baby.”

I paused to consider if I should ask him, but then decided it was worth a try. “Is it okay if you can drop by the library later? There was some book I could use about encryption. Cara said she’d hold it for me.”

Without skipping a beat, he replied, “As you wish.”

Oh my God.

My breath caught in my throat. We watched that movie together once. Okay, more than once, and only because I wanted to watch the same thing for years, and he never complained. Not once. “T-Thanks,” I managed to reply.

He let me go five minutes later, and even as we moved on to talk about something else, my mind was still reeling.

I was
so
looking forward to tonight.

* * *

I
dialed
Haley on my way out. It took a couple of rings before she picked up.

“Ready?” I asked cheerily, locking the door shut.

“Really sorry Sherr,” she replied, regretful. I didn’t miss how tired she sounded either. “Just got up. Not really feeling well this morning. Hadn’t really gotten enough sleep last night either.”

“Oh.” Hmm. I was okay with running alone, but knowing Chase, he would want someone with me.

Curiosity seemed to grip her, because she asked, “Will that stop you from running?”

Good question. I didn’t really want to do anything that would make Chase worry again, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to do a shorter run since I already made the effort, plus I missed running.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m all dressed. I’ll probably stick to the main streets. Sierra will kill me if I wake her up, Eva would take a while to get ready, and Kate has work.”

“Why? You've been running a while on your own now," she asked, a little confused.

“Uh, I felt like someone was watching me this one time. Then I looked out, and saw a head disappear behind a tree.”

She went oddly silent.

“Hales? Still there?”

“Sherr,” she said carefully, “don’t you think that’s weird?”

“It happened a couple of weeks ago. I don’t think that person was really watching me. Could be I just happened to look at that time. It just creeped me out is all.”

“But–”

“I have my phone,” I added to reassure her.

It seemed to satisfy her, because she just sighed in defeat. “Fine. Don’t go the usual route, okay? That area’s a little secluded and kinda quiet. Also, try asking Wes. You know how he’s usually up at this time.”

“Got it. Calling Wes and keeping close to shops and residential houses,” I uttered like an oath.

* * *

I
t turned
out Wes was up, but he said he was helping his niece with homework.

I was in the middle of warm up, walking briskly. I loved morning runs. The sun was warm but not as hot, and the wind still slightly cooler.

“I didn’t know Lynn was here,” I said, delighted. Lynn was his nine-year-old niece, and she’d stolen the hearts of everyone she’d met right from her dimpled smile, and angelic voice when she sang.

“Yeah, she’s staying here for a bit while Mara fixes things with her asshole of an ex.”

“Is he still bothering her?”

“Not like before. But I know it hurts her, still.”

I was hoping he’d moved on. “I hope she’s okay.”

“Mara’s strong,” he replied, pride in his voice.

“She is, to have gone through all that,” I agreed. “If you guys need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks, Sherr.”

“Alright, got to go now.”

“See yah.”

To my surprise, almost as soon as I ended the call, an unknown number flashed on my screen. My finger hovered on the button considering it might be another prank call, then shrugged and decided to pick up,

“Hello?” I answered. My brows creased when there was silence on the other end of the line. I nearly ended the call, when I heard it.

“Kath.” It was spoken softly, a little affectionately, but I’d heard the man croak the reply.

I didn’t recognize the voice.

“Who is this?” Still, there was no response. “Hello?”

For what seemed like a long time, there was silence. Had I imagined it?

I was just rounding the block when I felt my skin prickle. It was the same sensation as I’d felt once before.

Suddenly, it occurred to me the similar incidents that had happened weeks ago.

It all began to make sense in a way it hadn’t to me before. I’d been warned about it, but never thought of them as connected incidents.

For a while, I’d been getting calls, which abruptly stopped. There was the strange feeling that I was being watched as I was running, and when I came back, the strange handprints left on the window. Including the email I received and someone breaking in, everything clicked into place. My blood ran cold.

“Hello.”

It nearly startled me into stopping. I faltered, slowing.

Because the reply didn’t come from the phone. It came from right behind me.

* * *

I
turned
my head and found my self face-to-face with him. Here he stood, the man who I suspected had been stalking me all this time, and he looked nothing like I’d expected.

My first impression was… He looked perfectly average. No particularly distinctive features, average height. If he was placed in the middle of a crowd, I don’t think I would’ve been able to pick him out from it.

His brown hair was just a little long and disarrayed, as if he hadn’t bothered with it. His expression was blank, his dark eyes dull, like he’d been stripped of all emotion.

That unnerved me more than anything.

I hadn’t realized I’d stopped moving, as if the shock made me stop. All my instincts screamed for me to run, and so without even waiting for what he was going to say, without warning, I broke into a run.

I don’t think I’ve ever ran so fast in my life. I’d honed my body to be better at this, to endure, but I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for the sheer panic that gripped me as I heard the quickening footsteps follow behind me.

Then it occurred to me, something I had that could help me. My phone. I had my phone!

Because I was busy paying attention to unlock my screen, it was enough to distract me, and slow me down a little. Suddenly, a strong armed gripped me, causing me to nearly lose hold of my phone. I kicked blindly, scratched at skin, anything I came into contact with. I heard a yelp. And I thought the sound was the sweetest thing I’d heard, because that meant I had a chance.

I used that slip of a moment, when his grip loosened, to yank myself free from his grip.

I took a deep breath, screamed for help on the top of my lungs, and ran, hoping I could create more distance between us.

Was everybody still asleep at this time? Surely, there were those that had to prepare things early to sell when the morning crowd arrived. I fiddled with my phone once more, my fingers slipping across the surface, not pressing the right things.

Then I decided that I had it– I was getting one of those old phones, the ones with large clunky buttons when I escaped. I couldn’t feel whether I was hitting a damned thing right, since it was a completely smooth surface.

I heard labored breathing just behind me, getting closer. How the hell was he keeping up?

I felt a hand graze the back of my shirt, and I sped up my legs, but before I knew it, my shirt was grabbed roughly. It slowed me down.

Shit.

I took another deep breath, to make another scream for help. As I did so, a cloth was held firmly over my nose and mouth. I tried to fight him, to kick wherever I could, but I was weakening, my body slowly losing fight.

Before I knew it, my eyes were drooping shut. Then there was darkness.