The Fortune by Beth Williamson

Author:Beth Williamson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2013-09-17T04:00:00+00:00

Frankie hung onto John, fatigued beyond measure. She couldn’t feel her behind, legs or hips any longer. Her back screamed in agony with each thump of the horse’s hooves. Yet she kept quiet, her fear over who might be chasing them stronger than her pain.

Their daring escape from jail was like a dream, something she would have read in a novel. Not a crime she committed. Yet here she was running from the law like a common criminal. It was embarrassing, exciting, exhilarating and exhausting. She never would have considered breaking the law, much less be a wanted criminal.

Of course, a year ago, she was living an entirely different life in New York. Their apartment was small and their means as well, but the Chastains had been happy. Now they were a thousand miles from what had been their home, separated and the future uncertain.

Her parents and sisters were probably sick with worry, wondering if she were dead or worse. She hadn’t wanted to put them through her disappearance again. They had endured so much while she had been held prisoner by Oliver Peck. Their departure from New York was supposed to free them from worry and open up the possibility of a happy life again.

However, Oliver’s reach had extended across the country. She shouldn’t have been surprised but she was. Declan’s change of heart shocked her. Peck hired men who were loyal to the point of killing themselves for him. The man was diabolical, but he was also brilliant. Declan’s reversal would be his death. She knew it and so did he.

Her mind kept spinning around and around, replaying the conversation over and trying to figure out why. Declan didn’t appear to be stupid. If he worked for Oliver, and was trusted to retrieve her, his lotus blossom, then Declan was high up in the ranks.

Yet he had thrown away everything to let her go.

She had a hard time believing it was her story. He had to have heard more than one tale of dark torture and born witness to others. Something else must have triggered his actions. She could not figure out what.

When the pink light of dawn colored the sky in the east, she turned her face and closed her eyes. They were gritty and sore from a night spent on horseback. John reached back and patted her thigh. She grunted, unable to form a word.

The horse slowed and she lifted her head to look around. He’d found a small copse of trees with some tall grass moving gently in the early morning breeze. It was simple but it looked like paradise to her.

He pulled the horse to a stop. “Easy, boy, easy.” John dismounted as though he was fresh as a daisy in spring. He held up his arms to her to help her down.

Frankie wanted to smack him for not looking miserable, but she accepted his offer with gratitude. She doubted she could stand up or walk given how numb her lower half was. His arms were warm and full of strength, welcoming her.

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