Atomic Beauty by Barb Han Read Free Book Online Page A

was no guarantee she’d make it to the surface in time.
    Dizzy, light-headed, she grabbed a handful of his balls, squeezing with relentless force.
    More bubbles exploded from his mouth and his grip on her eased. She punched his left arm—his strong side—and then pushed off him, praying she’d break the surface in time. There wasn’t a second to lose.
    Erika pushed through in scarcely enough time to catch a breath. She immediately folded over, swimming like a banshee toward shore. Her arms already moved slower.
    They’d drifted out a good twenty yards and she expected Berlin to jerk her backward at any moment.
    He didn’t.
    She didn’t turn to see why not.
    In fact, as soon as she pulled herself out of the water she stumbled, her movements hampered by the heavy weight of her thoroughly soaked clothes. Her boots sloshed. A chilly wind wrapped around her. Shivers racked her body.
    She needed dry clothes and warmth soon.
    If Berlin were alive, he’d have an easy shot before she broke through the tree line. Half expecting to feel a bullet rip through her, she managed to make it to the street where she hailed a cab.
    A few passed by before one seemed to take pity on her and stop.
    â€œHey, you forgot to wear your swimsuit today,” an older man quipped with a smile as he hopped out to open the door for her. She never knew what kind of driver she’d get in Vancouver, crabby or outgoing. Given her condition, she was relieved this one seemed to have a sense of humor. It would make the ride easier if she made a few jokes and he laughed instead of him asking questions.
    â€œYeah. I was fishing when I got too close and fell in,” she played it off.
    He moved around to the trunk, returning with a thick cotton blanket. “That should keep you from catching pneumonia.”
    She thanked him as he returned to his seat.
    â€œWhat were you fishing for?”
    â€œA man,” she said, breaking a smile and trying to stop her teeth from chattering.
    He laughed, adjusted the rearview and eyed her again as he shifted into drive. “Where to?”
    Erika positioned the blanket over her as cover, and then slipped out of her wet clothes. She pulled dry clothes from her pack and dressed. “Million Air field. You know where that airstrip is?”
    He eyed her through the rearview as though assessing her mental state. It was obvious she had no poles or fishing gear and she didn’t look like someone who could afford a private jet.
    â€œSure thing. You some kind of movie star or something? I don’t get out to the movies much, so I wouldn’t know.”
    â€œNo. But if you get me there quick I’ll tip you like I am.”
    He nodded, smiled and floored the gas pedal. “Deal.”
    Erika’s head shot back as she wrapped the blanket around her. Warm, dry clothes were the equivalent of the blaze of a nearby campfire.
    The cab driver held up a coffee cup. “Just bought this. Looks like you need it more than I do.”
    She thanked him graciously as she took the offering. Hypothermia was only one of her problems. Why would one of her own come after her?
    The logical answer to why another officer would come after her was one she couldn’t fathom. No way would Murdock mark her as a traitor and send someone to eliminate her. He knew her better than that. He was like a father to her, for fuck’s sake. His devotion to Sanctuary was unmatched. He was one of the good guys. Period. Besides, he’d covered for her more than once. And yet, he’d sent her after Jace.
    Totally different circumstances, she told herself.
    Even so, she’d lay low for a few days while she figured out what was going on and who was involved. She knew just the place.
    Erika tried not to think about the fact that she, like Jace, preferred hiding in plain sight over remote locations. Give her a spot near an airport, train station and bus lines any day over trees and open acreage.