Love & Redemption by Chantel Rhondeau Read Free Book Online Page B

footing.”
    Shelley pressed her back against the cool pillar and closed her eyes, which abated her dizziness somewhat. “Wait, Gavin. I can’t do this. You go on ahead. Get away. Run and keep running. Don’t go to the FBI headquarters. They might know that’s where we’re headed. Nick lives in Sayle, Washington. Try to go to him. He’ll protect you. I’m sorry I couldn’t.”
    Strong hands pressed into her shoulders and shook her softly. “Don’t talk like that. We’re in this together.”
    She opened her eyes to stare into his angry ones. “I’m a liability to you. I’ll find another way. Just leave my gun. Maybe I can shoot them while you get away.”
    “Get your ass over the wall now, Shelley!”
    “Shhh... They’ll hear you.” She glanced around the side of the pillar. Stephen and Terrance were steadily making their way through the parking lot. It wouldn’t be long until they searched this area.
    “Now.” He pointed to the wall. “You can do this.”
    Not many people had ever believed in her, or even cared whether she lived or died. If Gavin was intent on saving them both, she had to try.
    She jumped onto the wall, and Gavin’s hand steadied her as she spun around and then scooted to the edge. Below her, the people of New York City hailed cabs, walked the streets, and went about their lives. None of them seemed aware a bomb had exploded minutes before above their heads or men with guns hunted a couple about to climb onto the side of the building.
    In the distance she heard faint police sirens, and Shelley wondered if they headed to the garage. Maybe the explosion hadn’t gone entirely unnoticed.
    Enough stalling. Get your ass in gear before they find you.
    She flipped onto her stomach and flailed her legs beneath her, praying that somehow she would find the ledge without having to release her secure hold on top of the wall.
    Gavin’s hands closed on her forearms. “You have to drop, Shelley. You can’t reach from your stomach. I’ve got you.”
    Looking into his eyes steadied her somewhat and she nodded. The balls of her slick high-heeled shoes couldn’t find any purchase on the wall and skittered down the side. Every few inches, the heel itself caught, jerking her entire foot away from the wall and speeding her heart rate.
    Once her entire body was over the side, she dropped for a gut-wrenching eternity before her toe landed on the ledge.
    His fingers tightened on her arms to help steady her. “Good job,” he said. “Grab the top of the wall and duck out of sight. I’m coming over.”
    Ducking out of sight was more difficult than Gavin made it sound. Shelley’s heart pounded and her stomach lurched sickeningly when her fingers slid on the gritty cement. Pressing her body as close to the wall as she could, she forced in deep, even breaths.
    You’re a black belt in karate. You can do this!
    It was hard to find any sense of peace or Zen when she was in fear of her life. Twisting her hip against the rough surface, she slowly inched her way downward, hoping her head was hidden from view if Stephen or Terrance looked her direction.
    About a foot away, Gavin appeared next to her. He moved in a cat-like fashion, hardly seeming to have bones when he landed fluidly beside her.
    “Don’t worry, Shell.” He winked. “I’ll have you off this wall in no time.”
    Unable to believe her eyes, she watched while he hopped away from the ledge. His feet skidded down the surface and soon his fingers wedged onto the ledge next to Shelley’s feet. A few swings of his body, and Gavin let go.
    Fighting back a scream at his sudden fall, she risked looking down to search for him, even though that flared her dizziness. Relief flooded through her when she didn’t see a crumpled body on the street below. “Are you okay?” she whispered loudly.
    Gavin popped into view directly below her. “I’m fine. Told you this would be easy.” He turned his head, seeming to look at something inside the garage. “Give