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Before her sister could leave the room Olivia stopped her. “You go ahead and I’ll follow in a minute so we’re not seen together. Tell me where to go.”
“I hired a cab – using cash - so he won’t trace my car. It’s waiting at the back of the building.”
“Near the kitchen? I’ve been here before so I can take a different route than you.”
“Let’s do it, but don’t dawdle. I’m starting to feel antsy.” Marissa gave her a quick hug then sneaked out the door.
Olivia tried to calm her breathing and swiped at her smudged mascara. She was beginning to feel edgy as well. If Ethan came looking for her too soon – the thought made her jerk open the door and peer down the hallway. So far the coast was clear. She saw Marissa’s hooded figure hurrying far down the hall before darting to the left. Olivia took a deep breath then followed at a somewhat more sedate pace. She didn’t want to bring attention to herself.
She could hear the party behind her but sounds from the kitchen grew as she approached. Where Marissa veered to the left to exit the building, Olivia went right and ran smack into the senator’s aide. Oh no, not him!
He gave her a wide grin when he realized who she was. “Hey, gorgeous! I’ve been looking for you. You want to get out of here?” His easy grin slipped into a frown as he peered closer at her. “Is something wrong? You look really upset. Your face - did something happen?”
Olivia didn’t want to waste any time speaking to him but realized he could cause her trouble if he talked. “I’m okay, really.” When he reached out for her she shied away. “Please, don’t mention seeing me and stay away from Ethan Moore for your own good.”
He looked confused but he was still smiling. “Is that some kind of joke? Ethan is out there talking to my boss right now.”
Olivia shook her head. She was sorry for the senator’s aide and she knew bad things were in his future but what could she do? “He’s going to destroy you, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He still looked baffled and started to speak but Olivia brushed past him and swept into the noisy kitchen. No one paid her any attention. She wasn’t sure if the senator’s aide followed her but at this point she didn’t care. She felt a pressing sense of urgency. She had to get out of there, away from Ethan. Everything he touched he destroyed. And if he knew she was trying to run away again he would destroy her as well.
She darted through the kitchen and out the back. Once she hit the pavement she reached down and tugged off the stilettos. She was tempted to leave them behind but there couldn’t be any clues. Beyond the row of dumpsters a discreet beige taxi pulled to a stop. Marissa thought of everything. Olivia ran the distance, feeling the pain in her injured hip but she ignored it.
“Hurry, get in!” Marissa cried as Olivia wrenched open the back door and dove into the seat.
“Take off!” she ordered the driver as she slammed the door. As the car sped away she turned to see if anyone watched her escape. The senator’s aide stood in the open doorway and she prayed he knew how to keep his mouth shut – for both their sakes.
“So now where?” Olivia asked as she tried to catch her breath. She pushed her worry for the senator’s aide aside. There was nothing she could do about him. “We can’t go to your apartment or Mom and Dad’s. As soon as I check into a hotel under your name or mine, it’ll show up in the computer and he’ll find me. There’s nowhere I can hide.”
“Oh yes there is,” Marissa answered smugly. “I’ve got it all planned. We’re going to the municipal airport.” She gave the driver a sidelong glance. “At the risk of divulging too much, we better stick with cloak and dagger secrecy. I suspect Ethan will go to great lengths to learn where you went.”
“You have no idea,” Olivia nodded as she eyed the driver. He seemed distracted by the traffic but she knew he heard every word. He would be hurt too. Rather than demanding answers to a million questions she sat back and closed her eyes. Was she making a terrible mistake? He would beat her when he caught her and he would ruin her family. She shouldn’t do this! She was tempted to order the driver to turn back but she kept silent. How could she go back to him? She wouldn’t!
They arrived at the airport and Marissa paid the driver. It was late and the terminal was locked up. As the taxi drove away, Olivia cast her sister a worried look. “Now what?”
“Now you'll go change your clothes. I packed a bag for you from the stuff you kept at Mom and Dad’s. Come on. A friend of mine is flying you out of here. There will be no record of you as a passenger so Ethan won’t even realize you’ve left the state. No paper trail, or in this case, cyber trail. You can thank me later,” Marissa added with a gentle nudge before grabbing Olivia’s hand. She led her away from the terminal along the fence to where a few cars were parked. As they approached, a stout woman stepped from a black SUV. Olivia’s step faltered but Marissa pulled her forward. “She’s okay; she’s with us.” The woman appeared to be in her mid-fifties and she looked like she ate skinny men like Ethan for breakfast. The thought brought a small smile to Olivia’s lips.
“This is Doreen. She’s one of the best back country guides I’ve ever met. And she can shoot a rifle like nobody’s business. She’ll take good care of you.”
Olivia opened her mouth to introduce herself but Doreen cut her off in a gruff voice. “I saw you in Swan Lake three years ago. It was beautiful. And I owe Marissa a favor.” She reached into the SUV and grabbed a duffle bag, then she shoved the bag at Olivia. “Here are your things. Get changed in the backseat while I start the pre-flight, unless you want to stay in that dress.”
Olivia cast her sister a sidelong glance to find Rissa grinning. “I won Doreen's freedom in a Swahili poker game during one of my humanitarian assignments.” Olivia's mouth dropped open but Rissa cut her off, “Don’t ask; it’s a long story.”
Five minutes later Olivia was dressed in her old faded jeans and a tee shirt, something she hadn’t worn for years since meeting Ethan. Two years of my life stolen, she thought with an angry frown. Two years of pain and fear and misery. And if she wasn't careful, he'd find her again and there would be no escape this time. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to see him. He was crafty and determined. She knew he would already be searching for her. He'd treat it like a puzzle and he wouldn’t rest until the final piece was in place.
The plane roared to life and Doreen motioned for her to climb aboard. Olivia hesitated, giving her sister a tight hug. “Tell me where I'm going.”
Marissa gave Olivia an encouraging smile. “I've got another friend who's promised to take you in for a while. You'll be safe.”
Olivia found it impossible to hide her shudder. “But you won't be! He'll drain your bank accounts and steal your identity. Mom and Dad will never survive his revenge. You might even have an ‘accident.’ How can I keep you safe? I shouldn't be doing this. If I go back now - “
Marissa grabbed Olivia's arm. “No! I've hired people to help us. We're leaving the country for a few weeks – it'll be a nice little vacation for the folks. I have people to help you and friends who will keep Mom and Dad safe until it all blows over. They know the truth now, Livvy. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to see you safe. You're not fighting him alone anymore.”
Tears welled in Olivia's eyes. While she didn't share Marissa's confidence, she was thankful to have her family in her corner. Yet she knew it wouldn't take long for Ethan to crack all
the codes, hunt down each one of them and unleash all his fury. She gave her sister a sad smile. “Stay safe.”
Marissa looked fiercely determined. “You too. Now go!”
