Jackson (The Love Family Series Book 8) Read Online Free Page B

screamed.
    Jackson sat speechless, watching Scarlett’s accident. The man from the alley got closer but kept his head down. He stepped over Rosie’s body as if she were trash and jogged over toward Scarlett’s prone body. He stood over it for a brief second before yanking the purse from her arm. The cabbie got out to yell at the killer. He flashed his gun in the cabbie’s face before running off. The man from the alley lifted his gaze to look behind him, and the camera caught his face. Jackson paused the video. Words caught in his throat. Shock yielded quickly to fury. “Oh shit.”
    Jackson busted into the bathroom to find her lying in the tub. Her eyes shot open. “Scar, we’ve got to go. You need to get out.”
    She sat up, her eyes dazed. “I thought we were spending the night.”
    She stood, giving him a full view of her body as she grabbed a towel from the rack.
    “Um…we’ve got to go, and we’ve got to leave now.”
    “Okay.”
    He closed the door and grabbed his bag and keys. He kept a vigil at the window until she came out, dressed in her old jeans but wearing his T-shirt. She tossed him the boxers and her shirt. “What happened?”
    “I’ll explain on the way. Let’s go.” He took her hand and pulled her out of the room, keeping his head down as he headed for the rented SUV. “We need to ditch the SUV and find other wheels.”
    “Drive to the airport. My roommate, Megan, left her car there.”
    He shook his head. “They’ve probably already got eyes on it. We need something untraceable back to you or me.”
    “What happened?” Her voice rose as Jackson pulled out into traffic.
    “I called a friend to ask about Rosie like I said I would,” he answered glancing up into the rearview mirror and then back to the road.
    “And?”
    “He claimed not to know.”
    “Well, she mentioned working undercover.”
    “No, you don’t understand.” Jackson pulled out his phone, hit play on the video, and let her watch the accident again. “The man who shot Rosie and stole your purse is the same guy I called. He’s going to be looking for both of us now. I’m sure he’s already running a trace on my phone.”
    “Oh God.” She handed the phone back to him as though it contained some contagious disease. Jackson lowered his window and tossed his phone into the ditch. 
     
    ****
     
    Scarlett held her breath every time a car passed by as they drove. She had no idea of their new destination, only that they were heading farther out of town and probably away from wherever locker 519 was located. “Why are we leaving, Jackson? We need to go back and get the evidence.”
    “We need to lie low for a day or two and make a plan.”
    “Where?”
    “I know a guy.”
    She’d always questioned Jackson’s decision for leaving the FBI and the world of mystery and intrigue behind and going back to the Island. Danger and excitement were fine when it was happening to a hero and heroine in one of her books, but it sucked when she was the one running. A man shooting at her made her think twice about the years she had spent talking to criminals. “Yeah, you knew the guy you called too. How reliable is the new one?”
    “This one owes me a favor. He’ll put us up. We’ll be safe for the time being.” Jackson glanced in her direction and gave her a hesitant smile. “Try to get some rest.”
    Not likely. People were out to kill Jackson and her over evidence she didn’t even possess nor have any idea of what it entailed, and he wanted her to rest. Her day had spiraled downhill fast, and she hadn’t hit bottom yet. When was it going to stop? Any chance at the best sellers list was history, along with her notes on the dead mob boss. Her writing career was at Jackson’s mercy. No way could she do this alone. Tears welled in her eyes, and she clenched her teeth. The nervous breakdown would have to wait. So she decided for a distraction instead.
    “Why did you leave the FBI?” She looked at him.
    The darkened cab