Long Road Home by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

at him, distress radiating from her like a beacon. She was obviously upset, not that he was here, but that he had found her.
    “You can’t be near me, Manny. Mom and Pop died because they came to see me. You have to let me go.”
    There was no way that was going to happen, but he wasn’t going to waste precious time arguing with her. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me , Jules. But what is most important right now is that you know I’m not letting you go again .”
    Her intake of breath was swift. “Manny, I couldn’t bear it if I lost you too.” Raw agony infiltrated her voice.
    “You aren’t going to lose me, Jules. Trust me.”
    She looked startled, as if the idea of trusting anyone was anathema.
    He put the car in reverse and backed out of the parking space. Then he roared out of the lot en route to the interstate. He dug out his cell phone and punched in Tony’s number.
    “Yeah,” Tony said in a distracted voice.
    “I’ve got her.”
    “Hey, that’s great. Is she okay?”
    Manuel looked over at her. “Yeah, as well as can be expected. You got a safe house worked out yet?”
    “Sure do. I’ll punch in the coordinates and upload it to your car’s navigational system. Just follow the directions, and you’ll be there in a few hours.”
    “What would I do without you, Tony?”
    “Die a fiery death, no doubt. I’ll check in with you later. I have some information about your girl I think you’ll find very interesting.”
    Manuel sobered. “Tony, I need a favor. One I have no right to ask.”
    “Shoot.”
    Manuel sucked in his breath as he contemplated what he was about to do. “Don’t let Sanderson know I’ve found her.”
    The phone went silent. “Any reason why?” Tony finally asked.
    “He wants me to bring her in. I’m not ready to do that yet. There’s too much I need to know. Just give me a few days. Run interference for me.”
    Tony paused again. “Sure man, you got it.”
    Manuel let his breath out in relief. “Thanks, Tony. I’ll keep in touch.”
    He shoved the phone back into his pocket and turned his attention to the road. What would Tony tell him about Jules? Dread curled in his stomach, spreading up into his chest. Was he prepared to learn what had happened three years ago? Would it change things between him and Jules?
    When he glanced over at Jules, he saw that she was staring holes through him.
    “Who are you talking about turning me in to? Or not turning me in to? Who the hell are you, Manny?”
    “Funny, I was going to ask you the same question.” He pinned her with his gaze. “I think we both have a lot of talking to do. When we get to the safe house, I want answers. Until then, you need to get some rest.”
    He said it in a way that didn’t offer her any alternatives. And either she was too tired to argue or she didn’t have a response, because she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.
    Unable to help it, he reached over and curled his fingers around her hand. Warmth spread up his arm when her hand tightened around his.
    For the first time, he allowed himself to think everything might be okay. Now if only he could convince her of that.
     
    Jules stared out her window, the miles passing in a blur. She and Manny hadn’t exchanged words since they’d left Denver, but she knew he watched her. She could feel his gaze on her, but she refused to meet his stare.
    They were heading south toward New Mexico, and with each mile her fear grew. Fear that she wouldn’t be able to protect Manny from Northstar. From what she’d become.
    She sank lower in the seat, gingerly drawing her knees up to her chest. Her fingers stroked the duffle bag at her side, drawing assurance from the outline of the gun there. At least she’d have some way of defending them when—not if—they were tracked.
    A sharp pain twisted through her chest and robbed her of breath. She sucked in air, determined not to panic as the scenery blurred before her. Damn, her ribs were on fire. She