Dangerous Journey by Joanne Pence

Author:Joanne Pence [Pence, Joanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0099C5JAG
Publisher: Quail Hill Publishing
Published: 2012-09-09T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

She couldn’t ignore the loud ringing in her ears, and realized it was her telephone. The early light of morning brightened the room.

“Hello?” She was surprised to find that her voice worked.

“It’s me,” said the quiet voice on the other end.

She clutched the phone and sat up. “Alan!”

“C.J., I need your help.” Alan sounded desperate.

“Where are you?”

“I’m…I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. I can’t stay here. I’ve got to go. I’ve got to run.”

“Run? What do you mean, ‘run’? What’s going on?” she cried.

“I can’t explain now. Meet me.”

“Sure. Where?”

“There’s a big old movie house called the Empire on Market and Eighth. It opens at noon. Buy a ticket and go to the balcony, top row. I’ll be there.”

“Okay, but—”

A soft click told her that the connection had been broken.

“Alan? Alan?” As she placed the receiver back into its cradle, the realization that Alan hadn’t told her the truth about any of this settled over her, filling her with despair and worry.

Almost immediately, she heard a knock on her door.

“What’s wrong?” Darius said by way of greeting. He wore light gray slacks, a close-fitting black pullover, and his leather jacket. He was truly a man of surprises.

“Good morning to you, too.” She raked her fingers through her hair. “I must look wretched,” she said.

“Not to me.”

“Why are you here?” she demanded.

“I think it’s for the same reason I see a worried frown on your face,” he replied. “I figured that since Alan didn’t contact you last night, he’d try this morning, or not at all. I take it, he must have called you.”

She saw the concern in his eyes. Although she knew that his real goal was the bounty on the White Dragon, still, in some crazy, inexplicable way, he was the only one who helped her, who comforted her, and who was there for her to lean on. For that she was grateful, and for so much more. Later, she would be strong again. Later, she would take on the whole world if she had to—and do it alone, as always. Later, she would be practical again. But not now.

She reached out to touch his hand. “Sometimes I think you’re the only one who’s been right about any of this. Thank you for being here. For helping me.”

He stared at her then, as if stunned by her heart-felt comments.

She wished she could take them back, hating that she revealed as much of herself to him. She had never done that with anyone. “Of course,” she said finally, falling back on her old flippancy. “I’m sure you’re that way with all your women.”

“All my women?” He grinned. “I’d like to know where they are. I’ve been missing something.”

“There must be at least a half dozen in Hong Kong alone.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. The only one who cares about me in Hong Kong is Jimmy Lee. And I assure you, it’s not physical.”

She smiled. “Good. Anyway, I’ve got to shower, dress, eat something and then meet Alan downtown at noon.”

“That sounds fine.

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