Parallel Roads by Mel Teshco

Author:Mel Teshco
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Chapter Eleven

The little old house appeared from out of the darkness as though an apparition. A vision that carried a taint of something … menacing.

Jessie repressed a shiver. So much for his being attuned to the place. Besides, the house wasn’t haunted, at least not that he was aware. It was more a conduit to other dimensions, far scarier than anything haunted.

If he wasn’t diligent, he could easily fall prey to his own fear. And he had Tara to consider, though he had a feeling she was much stronger than she even knew herself. He’d take a leaf out of Tara’s book. He’d turn his fear into anticipation. Then he’d take the reins and control his own destiny.

‘Here we go again,’ Tara said softly, as he pulled the SUV up at the house and cut the engine.

Without the headlights, the old, abandoned dwelling really did look haunted. He sucked in a breath and nodded slowly. ‘Yep. Let’s hope it’s for the last time.’

She leaned forwards and opened the glove compartment, withdrawing the flashlight and flicking it on, before taking out the money packet and then the gun. She held up the latter. ‘Do you want to take this with us now?’

He shrugged. ‘Why not? Hell, I’m a wanted man now anyway.’

‘Wow. Your attitude’s changed for the better.’ She kept a straight face for perhaps another second or two, and then burst into a fit of giggles. ‘I’m in love with a criminal.’

His voice momentarily caught in his throat. Then, ‘What?’

She turned to him, her eyes wide, stricken. ‘Sorry Jessie, I didn’t … I don’t …’

Hurt pummelled his heart, taking away even residual fear. ‘Don’t worry about it. I understand.’

It had been a throwaway line. She didn’t love him. Though for one magical second or two he’d truly believed she did. Fuck he was a fool. She cared about him, yes, but love didn’t enter the equation. Sleeping with someone rarely meant you loved them.

He should know.

He grimaced. Karma was a bitch sometimes, though he probably deserved every bit of the payback.

He turned to Tara, his voice carefully monotonic. ‘Are you ready?’

She bit into her bottom lip, and then whispered, ‘Yes.’

***

Tara hated herself in that moment. Hated that the three words she’d planned to say in a heartfelt way had been uttered as if in joke. His shock had her all but deny the precious feelings she had for him, and she didn’t know how to backtrack and tell him the truth. Not without it sounding as if it was a lie.

Not a great way to start the next dimension.

She climbed out of the Hummer. Tucking the money packet into the waistband of her jeans, she checked the gun’s safety mechanism was on before she slid the weapon into her pocket. After holding the flashlight steady while Jessie retrieved the backpack and the food hamper they’d packed for the road, she reached into the truck and grabbed the last two essentials. Her lipstick and clutch purse.

They walked to the front door, their tread loud in the quiet stillness of night.

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