BREAKAWAY (The Dartmouth Cobras) (53 page)

He was a good man. Ford was happy Jami had hooked up with him. But whatever trouble she was in, she didn’t want Sebastian to know about it.

And Ford had a feeling he knew why.

* * * *

The French doors hit the walls outside the dining room. Glass cracked. Ford ignored his mother’s gasp and glared at his father. “What have you done?”

His father set down his napkin, glancing apologetically at his two business associates before turning to Ford with hard, cold eyes. “If you have a problem, Ford, we will speak privately. After brunch. As you can see—“

“No,” Ford said. “We’re talking now.”

“Please excuse me.” His father’s jaw hardened as he strode across the room, gesturing Ford out impatiently.

In the grand room, a short, dark skinned man in a crisp, grey suit, approached his father. “Shall I entertain your guests while you deal with your son, sir?”

“Yes, I’d appreciate that Patrick.” His father waited until the man disappeared into the dining room. Then grabbed Ford’s arm and shoved him against the wall. “You have some fucking nerve.”

Ford wrenched free, fisting his hands by his sides so he wouldn’t shove his father back. “What happened to your other assistant? Or should I even bother asking?”

“He became . . . obsessed with a small job I gave him. It was affecting his work, so I let him go.” His father arched a brow. “You never liked Lee. I don’t see why you’d care.”

Skin crawling, Ford recalled the way Lee used to look at Jami. He used to think it was pathetic, and disgusting because the man was old enough to be her father. But now it was fucking scary. “The other job was Jami, wasn’t it? You told him to mess with her.”

“A few pictures. Perhaps following her from time to time, scare her a little. You’ll be pleased to know I’ve lost interest in her. There are far more effective ways to influence future games.”

“I don’t give a shit about the games. Jami’s in trouble. Call Lee. Get him back here before he—”

His father laughed. “Now why would I do that?”

“Because I’m asking you to. Please.” Ford swallowed his pride, the same way he always did when he asked his father for anything. The man seemed to enjoy seeing him reduced to begging. His eyes burned with tears of rage, of humiliation, as he spoke. “Don’t take it out on her because I’ve failed you. I’ll do anything. Just tell me what you want.”

“I want a son I can be proud of. But you’ll never be that.” His father smirked. “I supposed it doesn’t matter, since you aren’t really my son.”

A fucking punch in the face would have hurt less.
You’re no fucking prize either, old man.

“Roy!” His mother stood in the open doorway of the dining room, her hand over her mouth. “You don’t mean that. You raised him. He’s your son in every way that counts.”

“Of course, my love.” His father gave his mother a brisk, condescending look. “But that does not mean I must waste my time dealing with
his
little whore. Let’s not neglect our guests. Ford is a big boy. He can take care of his own problems.”

Straightening his dark blue suit jacket, his father returned to the dining room, dismissing them both. His mother came to Ford’s side, her lips pressed together in a tight line as she fussed with his rumpled jacket.

“Lee still has one of your father’s cars.
Cort
has a way to track it. Call him, he’ll help you.” She gave him a shaky smile. “She’ll be okay, Ford. Lee is a weak, pathetic man. I never liked him either.”

“No, you asked dad to keep him away from you because he gave you the creeps. We have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“Oh, sweetie. You don’t think he would . . . .” His mother paled. She’d never dealt well with unpleasantness. Both he and his father tried to shield her from it as much as possible, but maybe they shouldn’t have. Or, at least,
he
shouldn’t have. Maybe being forced to face reality would have made her stronger. He could already tell she’d be popping meds and spending all day in bed because she couldn’t deal with even the
thought
of something horrible happening.

But old habits were hard to change. “You’re right about
Cort
, mom. I’m glad you reminded me. I’d forgotten. We’ll find her before Lee does anything.”

“Good. Please let me know when you do. This whole ordeal has my nerves shot.” She clasped her hands over her chest. “Maybe I should see my doctor again. I don’t think the medication is working. You have no idea how difficult it’s been lately with your father so stressed about that team! I’m sure that’s why he was so cruel.”

“Yeah. I’m sure.” Ford kissed her cheek. “I have to go, mom. But I promise, I’ll call.”

“Yes, yes you should go.” Her hand fluttered up to her throat. “This is dreadful. She’s such a sweet girl.”

On the way to his car, Ford called
Cort
, who quickly tracked down Lee’s car. He waited on the line while
Cort
drove to the spot where Lee was parked.

Cort
laughed, the wind around him making the sound
staticky
as he got out of his car. “What a moron. The cops are watching the motel where your girl’s staying. He’s a block over, sitting in his car, puffing away and jerking off. Sick freak.”

“The cops haven’t noticed?” Ford frowned as he leaned against the open door of his car, feeling a bit better knowing Jami was okay, but uneasy knowing Lee was so close. “How many are there?”

“Just one. But he’s on the ball. He watched me pull over across the street. I’m going into a café so I don’t look suspicious.”

“Good idea.” Ford got into his car and started it up. “Where are you? I’m on my way.”

After getting directions, Ford hung up. He put in his Bluetooth and called Jami, figuring if he told her he was coming she could tell the cop to let him in. As much as he trusted
Cort
to watch out for her, he wouldn’t feel comfortable until he saw for himself that she was okay. But she didn’t pick up.

His phone rang.
Cort
. He answered. “What?”

“She just got into her car after talking to the cop. She went one way, the cop went the other.”

“And Lee?”

“He’s following her. But so am I. We’re on the Macdonald Bridge, heading towards Halifax.”

“Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“I won’t . . . fuck! Where the hell is she going? Hold on, she’s speeding up . . . I think she spotted him.”

“What’s going on
Cort
?” Ford pressed his foot hard on the gas, hoping he could cut the ten minute drive into five. “Talk to me, man!”

“She changed directions at the last second, turned onto the 103! I think she’s trying to lose him!”

From what Akira had said, Jami planned to go to her grandmother’s. But Ford knew she wouldn’t lead Lee to her grandmother’s place. She probably wasn’t even thinking of herself now. She probably wanted to keep Lee away from the people she loved, which is why she hadn’t told Sebastian about any of this. The threat to him might have been more direct, but she was probably assuming the worst.

He couldn’t blame her. He was too.

“I just crossed the bridge,” Ford said. “Try to catch up with her. She’ll feel safer if she sees you. She always liked you.”

“Yeah, I liked her too. Just not as much as Lee apparently. What the fuck were you doing sharing that girl, kid?”

“Ruining her life, apparently.” Ford pulled onto the 103, speeding up even more as he hit a long stretch relatively free of cars. “Fuck, I can’t see you guys. How fast is she going?”

“Way too fast. He’s catching up with her. There’s no way she can get away from him in that crappy car of hers. I’m
gonna
try to cut him off.”

“Don’t!
Cort
, what if he—”

Screeching tires. Crunching metal.

The phone went dead.

His warning, like everything else he’d done, was too late.

Chapter Twenty Four

Sunlight pierced through the shattered windshield. A jarring pain tore at Jami’s side, throbbed in her cheek, her nose. Warmth oozed down the side of her face as she lifted her head away from the cracked driver’s side window. She felt around for the door handle, hissing in a breath as her hand
spasmed
. Something was wrong with her arm.

Worry about that later. Just get out.

She used her other hand to open the door, stepped onto the road, and took a few deep breaths of muggy air to clear her head. She’d swerved into the guardrail as they two cars behind had collided, trying to avoid being hit as well. The sun blinded her as she tried to make out the other drivers.

One had climbed out of his car. Was coming towards her.

Lee.

Chocking out a strangled scream, she lurched past the guardrail, stumbling into the ditch as the soles of her boots slipped on loose earth. Small, jagged rocks grated her hands as she half crawled up the other side of the ditch. The long stretch of grass looked peaceful. Empty. There was no sign of a house, just a gravel road a few yards away that seemed to go on forever.

An engine roared in the distance, coming closer. She straightened, screamed, waved her arms. A sleek sports car sped by. If the driver hadn’t noticed the wreck, they wouldn’t see her out here. Maybe she could flag down help from the street—no, that would make it easier for Lee to get to her.

So she ran, hoping to at least reach the trees so she could hide. Use her phone.
Something
.

Everything hurt as she pushed herself to go faster. A jarring pain in one calf forced her to limp. She couldn’t keep up this pace for long. And the sound of Lee’s harsh panting was getting closer.

He mumbled something as he chased her. Her guts twisted as she made out the words.

“My whore.”

He was too close. Each breath tore through her side. She couldn’t outrun him.

Stopping short, she spun fast, dodging to the left as he lunged at her. Keeping just out of reach, she grabbed a palm-sized rock and whipped it at him.

The rock bounced off his shoulder. He didn’t even blink. His pudgy face, slick with sweat, glowing red from the run, changed into a mask of hunger and rage. He’d always been a pig, disgusting, but harmless. He wasn’t anymore. Something had shifted, making him wild, more like a boar who’d charge until he gored her.

“Stay away from me, Lee! Ford will kill you if he finds out!”

“My turn. It’s my turn, you little whore.” Lee licked his thick lips and made a grab for her. “He let everyone else have you, but not me. It doesn’t matter. You’re mine now.”

 
“Fuck you!” She jerked away. “Ford didn’t ‘let’ anyone have me! It was my choice! I never wanted you!”

“I know who you’re with—what he does. You don’t want choices.” Lee circled her, smacking away the next rock she threw like a bug. “I’m not giving you any.”

Jami screamed as he barreled towards her. She reached down, clawing at a bigger rock, jarring it loose just as he knocked her to the ground. She swung hard. The rock hit his face with a meaty
thunk
.
He dropped on top of her, his weight pinning her legs, his blood dripping onto her face as he lifted his head. She fought to drag herself out from under him as his hand slid over her stomach, under her shirt. His lip pressed against her cheek, slimy and wet.

She stared into his wild eyes. At his face, a mask of blood spilling from where the rock had smashed into his temple. He fumbled with the button of her jeans. She went perfectly still.

He leered at her, saliva dripping over his bottom lip. “That’s right. Don’t fight. I’ll make it good for you.”

As he shifted his weight to tug down her jeans, she twisted and jammed her fingers into his eyes.

He let out a hoarse scream. Rose up on his knees, covered his face with his hands.

Crack!

Lee toppled over sideways.
Cort
stood over him, a blood smeared bat in his hand. He tossed it aside and hauled Lee off of Jami, nodding towards the road as a car pulled up. “Ford’s here. Let him take care of you while I deal with this fucker.”

Jami scrambled backwards as
Cort
pulled out a gun and pressed the barrel to the back of Lee’s head. Tremors ran through her as his finger touched the trigger.

“
Cort
, don’t!” Ford shouted, running towards them. “I’m not letting you go to jail for this piece of shit.”

“Too late,” Cord said, his tone sickeningly calm as he nudged Lee with his foot, then bent down to check his pulse. “He’s dead.”

A wash of cold went over Jami. She whimpered as a hand closed around her arm, her vision flicking in and out of darkness as the grip tightened.
He’s not dead! He’s not! You can’t stop him!

“Jami, look at me,” Ford said, cupping her cheeks in his hands, his hold, solid and familiar, dragging her back to reality. “You’re okay. Come on, I’ll get you out of here.”

“I want Sebastian.” Jami leaned against Ford and sobbed. “But . . . don’t let Lee . . . don’t let Lee hurt him! Please!”

“I won’t. I swear it, baby.”

“Give me a head start before you let her report this, all right?”
Cort
grunted. “Not too long, obviously. She needs a hospital.”

“So do you. Fuck,
Cort
, you were helping her. If you’d shot him, then there’d be a problem, but—”

“I’m not taking any chances.”

“Fine. Do you need me to drive you somewhere?”

“No. I’ll get my brother to come pick me up. I’ll be long gone before anyone finds the body.”

He’s not dead.
Jami dug in her heels as Ford led her to his car. Before she could look back to make sure Lee hadn’t gotten back up, Ford turned her to face him.

“You don’t need to see him, Jami. I swear to you, he’s dead. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“You don’t know. You can’t be sure . . . .” Jami swallowed, wanting to trust Ford. He’d come for her. And
Cort
. . . “
Cort
, I need to thank him. He saved me. I don’t know why—”

“Because you’re worth saving, Jami.”