Chapter 17 – Luka
P acked and ready, we were on the road by six. If we drove straight through, we would make it back to Chicago before midnight. Vivian dozed off just after crossing into Alabama and snoozed all the way through the state. Reciting passages of philosophy kept me occupied as we cruised three above the speed limit.
“What was the point of putting a new stereo in the car if you’re only going to listen to that awful country music station?” Vivian grumbled, adjusting herself in the seat. “The twang is haunting my dreams.”
Truth be told, I’d been too busy calming my mind to notice what was playing in the background.
But, just to tease her…. I cut her a look. “Really? It’s growing on me.”
“Kill me now,” she moaned.
The flippant turn of phrase sent my gut twisting. No one would touch this girl. Not while I had life in my bones.
I’m going to help her.
Flexing my fingers to prevent breaking the steering wheel with my death grip, I pulled in a deep breath. It was time to have that conversation. I turned down the stereo as the highway speed slowed due to the approaching town.
“We need to talk, Vivian.”
“Words no one wants to hear,” Vivian yawned. “Alright, mister, shoot.”
Here goes nothing. “Do you know who sent me?” I started out of the gate with a strong one.
Vivian snorted. “I have theories.”
“Does the name Markem Regis mean anything to you?” I timed the question so I could steal a glance at her face when I asked. I wasn’t disappointed. A beautiful shade of wrath bloomed over her olive skin.
“That rat bastard.”
I slipped through a yellow light. “Who is he?”
“Officially? Our family’s attorney and my legal guardian.” Vivian drummed her short nails into her thighs.
“Unofficially?”
“The spawn of hell.” That tawny mane shook back and forth. “I can’t believe him. I suspected it, you know? But after, he threw me out. After he gave me an impossible ultimatum and then told everyone I was the derelict. Me!”
“Well, he wants you back, and there’s probably a damn good reason. So—” I tapped the steering wheel “—start talking.”
“Why? So you can feel better about bringing the lamb to the slaughter?”
I frowned. “That’s not what this is.”
“And how would you know? Markem hired you to deliver me. I’m just a job to you.”
Not anymore. Was she ever? I sighed. Before I saw her maybe, but now things were different. So very different. How did I tell her that? Vivian was too smart for her own good. She wouldn’t believe me.
Suddenly, she turned in her seat. “Why not let me go?”
“Vivian,” I sighed. There was a sign for a park. We should stop. I should be focusing all my attention on her to have this conversation! I passed the turn lane without moving over.
“No, I’m serious, Luka. Say I escaped. I’ll disappear—go international!” There was a spark in her voice, the plan so real, she could no doubt feel it.
“He’ll send others. He wants you back, and he’s desperate enough to hire criminals to make sure you return.” As I spoke, my purpose suddenly crystallized. I knew exactly how I would help her. The problem I’d been contemplating during the morning drive simplified. I was her only choice. She needed to stay with me, and I would keep her safe.
But she needed to reach that conclusion on her own.
“Well, damn him. He can’t have me or my money!”
It all happened so fast. The red light blinked, and I eased the brake and clutch to stop for this one. Words meant to give her a solution were on my lips.
They never got the chance to come out. Stabbing her seatbelt release, Vivian bolted from the vehicle. I reached for her, but my hand met with thin air.
She was gone, running away!
Cursing, I pulled the car to the right, waited for a gap in traffic, and turned. I drove over a curb and parked in a Baptist church’s empty parking lot. Because there was no key fob, I didn’t lock the door before tearing off after the fleeing form.
Damn, she was fast!
Vivian raced along the sidewalk, long legs eating up the distance. I hoped it looked like we were jogging, not chasing. But there were few cars in this desolate part of town.
There’s nowhere to go! I ground my teeth as Vivian dashed across the bridge. The sign by the shore said Tennessee River. The moment my head put those two details together, an emotion I hadn’t felt in nine years pulsed out like a tidal wave.
Fear.
Because in that moment, I knew exactly what she was going to do.
And there was no way in hell I was going to be fast enough.
The next few heartbeats played out like a living nightmare.
Stopping in the middle of the bridge, Vivian scampered up the railing. The same woman who I clambered into a harness next to was making a perilous jump. The old Luka would have whooped in joy. But this was the me that felt something for her—fear. She made me fearful, which was a hell of a lot stronger emotion than any other.
“This is why I don’t get close to people,” I growled, running forward.
Too late, my heart taunted.