Out Of The Past by Geri Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

undressed.
    Her body tingled and squirmed. A.J. entered her in such a flash, she gasped. He was big and hard, and made her want things she wasn’t sure she could have, but she wanted them anyway.
    He pumped and she exploded.
    ***
    T he next morning A.J. felt like he’d been flattened by a train and left behind as road kill. His body hurt, his jaws ached, and his head throbbed. After a quick shower, he patched himself up well as he could, slipped on his jeans and woke Zoe with a kiss.
    He wanted to do much more, but didn’t dare. Time wouldn’t allow for that. “Jump in the shower. I’m ordering breakfast.”
    She appeared reluctant, but nodded. “I’m starved. I want everything on the menu.” Then she tossed over her shoulder. “Especially coffee.”
    She disappeared into the bathroom, and he ordered room service. Then he called Frank with an update. “We’re in the Worthington, and after breakfast, we’re heading out to a safe house. We’ll stay there until this is all over. They’ll never find us. Zoe will be safe.”
    “Good. I’ve been worried sick. I think I know the identity of the Croatian. He’s Casmir Slavko, a mercenary who’s trying to make a name by gaining Gabric’s freedom. I met him once. He’s as dangerous as they come. Don’t cross his path.”
    “I know who he is too. If I’m not mistaken, Jake had a run in with him in the Ukraine.” A.J. finger combed his hair. “I’ll keep you posted.”
    The knock so soon after placing the food order surprised A.J., and made him pause before opening the door. He removed the gun from beneath his pillow and walked across the room. With the chain still intact, he looked through the peephole before cracking the door.
    A man dressed in a waiter’s uniform stood with a food cart. He looked harmless enough, so A.J. motioned him in after putting the gun in the waistband of his jeans. He signed for the food then said, “Hey, do you happen to have an extra shirt? Mine got a little messed up in a bar fight.”
    “I can get one. People leave things behind, and we save them.” The man didn’t seem fazed by the bloody clothes A.J. wore.
    “I’d appreciate if you’d see what you could do. I’ll make it worth your while.”
    The waiter bowed and walked toward the elevator.
    Zoe stepped from the bathroom, and her eyes widened at the food. “Looks like you took my suggestion seriously.”
    “An army travels on their stomach.”
    They carried the food and pot of coffee to the table and ate in silence. Before long, they’d have to get out of the hotel and head for Decatur.
    As they finished the meal, a knock sounded at the door.
    A.J. held up his hand. “I think it’s the waiter. He’s getting me a shirt.”
    True to his word, the hotel employee stood holding out a Cowboy’s tee shirt. A.J. gave him a couple of twenties then gathered up Zoe, and they took the elevator to the lobby.
    He’d ordered a rental car, and a white Toyota Camry sat parked outside waiting. With everything under an assumed name, he didn’t worry about meeting up with anyone.
    The first stop was to get them a few items they would need over the next two days. A nearby discount store provided them with clothing and provisions.
    In the car, A.J. headed northwest, and within an hour, they were in Decatur and only a few miles from the house Falcon used. It stood off the path a considerable distance and couldn’t be seen from the road.
    As he turned into the driveway, he noticed a parked car off to the left in the brush that shouldn’t be there. Cautioning Zoe to stay in the car, he stepped out and moved through the wooded area where he saw the house.
    There was movement inside, and he guessed the Croatian’s men had found their hideout. He returned to the Zoe and backed the car out of the driveway.
    “They’ve compromised the safe house,” he said. “We’ll go to another one just outside of Weatherford.”
    “If they learned about one house, what makes you think they