Adrianne Byrd - Deadly Double

“Tyrese didn’t tell you?” She reached for the phone. “There’s always a backup plan.”

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In record time, William and Josie crammed what few belongings they had into the Lincoln Navigator and high-tailed it out of Pine Mountain. To be safe, William instructed Josie to lie low in the back of the large SUV just in case the two goons were still in the area.

Neither spoke while he whipped around the curvy, back roads. There was no need to. Each already knew what the other was thinking.

Josie battled guilt while William mused on what was the right thing to do. In this situation, there was no black and white answer.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Josephine climb from the backseat and into the passenger seat; but when her hand settled on his shoulder, he gaze shifted to meet hers.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what?” His attention returned to the highway.

“Everything,” she added in the same gentle tone. “I can’t help but feel that if you didn’t save me when you did, I might not be here.” Once again, William’s gaze returned to hers. “Maybe the night your Dr. Bancroft died, they were actually coming for me.” He shook his head. “Don’t say that.”

“C’mon. You mean to tell me that you haven’t thought about it?” She strapped the seat belt across her shoulder. “Don’t tell me that you’re the kind that believes in coincidence.”

He didn’t answer.

She turned to gaze out her passenger window. “Well, I’m glad you showed up when you did. I never had a knight in shining armor before.” William laughed. “That’s pouring it on a little thick, don’t you think?” She shrugged and slid on an easy smile. “If everything happens for a reason, then maybe Paris wasn’t a mistake after all.” Another awkward silence filled the space between them before William pulled over to the side of the road. “What are you doing?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”

Though they had stopped, William didn’t pull his gaze from the road in front of him. “Paris was many things…but it was not a mistake.”

Josie drew a deep breath as she stared at his profile. One thing she couldn’t miss were the shadows of emotions that danced across his features. They pulled at her and destroyed the wall she kept trying to build between them. The wall was supposed to protect her. “No,” she said, finally. “It wasn’t a mistake.” “Just lousy timing,” he added. “You were, after all, an engaged woman—already spoken for.” “And you wouldn’t take ‘no’ for answer.” His cheeks darkened with his smile. “I was young.” “We both were.” Gazes locked, both sensed that the other wanted to say more. However, the words never came.

An hour later, William arrived at his two-story, red brick home in the center of Peachtree City. It was a nice subdivision where most of the houses were exact replica of the next. The moment William pulled into the driveway, the garage door opened.

He parked next to a back, Mercedes, and the garage door closed behind them.

“Do you think it’s safe for us to come here?” she asked, climbing out of the vehicle. “I mean with the neighbors and all.”

“I don’t see where we have much of a choice. It’s either here or a hotel. Frankly, I think we would draw more attention to ourselves at a hotel. The great thing about my neighbors is they tend to keep to themselves.” He headed toward the garage’s side door and entered the house through the kitchen.

Josie followed close behind him. Her gaze quickly darted around. She was given a quick tour of the place before William noticed the time.

“I’m going to be late,” he said. “I’m supposed to be at the hospital at noon.”

“You’re working today?”

“I have to.” He opened a closet door and grabbed a clean shirt. “There should be plenty of food in the refrigerator.” Next, he scrambled for a pen and paper. “I’m going to write down my pager number. If you need anything, just punch in code 9-1-1. Oh, I’ll write down the address so you can have your medical records mailed here now. Wait, maybe that’s not wise. Maybe we should get a P.O. box to have them mailed.

“Isn’t that going to take more time? Or do you already have one?”

“No.” He ran a nervous hand through his hair. The fact that he was losing control of the whole situation was sinking in fast. “Okay. We’ll have them mailed here. I’ll write down the address; but once they get here, we’re going to the police. Agreed?” She blinked. “Josie?” Belatedly, she flashed him a reassuring smile. “Agreed.”

“All right.” He nodded; his dilemma of whether to believe her was evident on his face. In the end, he made a quick change, jotted down the address, and brushed a rather awkward kiss against her cheek. “All of this will be over soon,” he assured her.

His sudden closeness was all it took to short-circuit her senses, while she tried no to bask in the protectiveness his arms offered.

“You believe me, don’t you?” he asked.

Josie’s tearful gaze met his calm blue eyes, and in that instant, she would’ve believe they could live the rest of their lives on the moon. “Of course I do.”

When William’s gaze lowered to her lips, she couldn’t help being drawn to his. Slowly, they leaned toward one another, each uncertain of what was happening to them and both unwilling to stop it.

The moment their lips connected, time ceased to exist. This was the second life had thrown them together, and just like before it would eventually pull them apart. It was a sad fact that caused tears to trickle down her face. “Hey, what are these for?” William gently wiped the tracks of her tears. “It’s nothing,” she lied, and backed out of his embrace. “I’m fine. You better get going, or you’re really going to be late.” He nodded but continued to watch her. “Go. I’ll be here when you get back,” she promised.

After another nod, William reluctantly turned and left the house. “I’ll call and check on you, but don’t hesitate to page me if you need anything.

Josie followed him back to the garage. As he climbed back into the Navigator, her eyes darted over to the parked Mercedes, and she instantly wondered where he kept the keys.

After closing the door, she immediately launched into a mad search. However, her disappointment mounted as she went though one drawer after another. They weren’t in the kitchen, living room, or any other room for that matter.

Frustrated, she slumped into one of the leather chairs in the living room. Hell, she didn’t even know where she was trying to go. Where could she go?

A loud ringing filled the house, and Josie nearly jumped out of her skin. Once she realized that it was the phone, she pressed a hand over her heart and willed herself to calm down. She leaned toward the end table to read the caller ID, but the caller hung up before the answer machine clicked on.

As she stared at the phone, she was hit with an idea. Call her. Josie’s anxiety kicked up another notch. What would she say if Michelle answered?

Don’t say anything, she told herself. I just need to know if she there. Josie picked up the receiver and actually felt her heart skip a beat. For a long moment, she just started at the black buttons before she hung up.

She had no idea what the hell she was doing. She didn’t know how to fight back against the kind of evil her sister possessed.

Josie closed her eyes while the war of what was right and wrong warred within her. It was a strange position to be in. She was uncertain about what to do. In was very tempting to grab what she could and run, but a new voice in her head urged her stay and fight. With renewed determination, she picked up the receiver again, punched star 69 to block William’s number and then dialed home. It took everything she had to calm the swarm of butterflies in her stomach and slow her racing heart; but while she waited for the line to connect, she began to formulate a plan.