CHAPTER THREE
TWO DAYS LATER
Karinna DeMarco had been on the run for the past three months. She was scared, angry, fed-up and exhausted. She slumped down on a damp park bench and wearily ran her fingers through her long, flame-red hair.
She supposed she should cut and dye it; the fiery tresses were like a beacon. Strands of pure gold were shot through the glossy, rippled locks, and framed her face like a wild mane. But frankly, she was so damn tired she didn’t have the energy or the inclination. She was a beautiful woman. Her coloring was striking; she did not have the pale, freckled skin of a redhead. She was full-blooded Italian. Her smooth olive skin was the color of café au lait. Her eyes were light emerald, with piercing, jet-black pupils. Her face was a perfect oval, with symmetrical features and full, bee-stung lips. Karinna was well aware that she stuck out like a sore thumb. She breathed in deeply. “Shit,” she whispered. Lucas would never give up until he found her.
She shuddered as a wave of pure terror engulfed her. He was the most ruthless, evil person she ever had the misfortune of meeting. She never fell for the right man. She somehow always wound up with losers who treated her like garbage.
She shook her head in anger. No more. If she survived this, she would never again let a man treat her like shit. A tingle raced down her spine. She sat up and tensed. Karinna looked around wildly and jumped up. She was being watched, she was sure of it. She quickly began walking.
She glanced over her shoulder through the San Francisco fog. It was as impenetrable as pea soup. She was alone in the deserted park. She cursed her carelessness. She tucked her chin to her chest and walked through the paved path. Her heart began hammering as she heard footsteps echo behind her. She stumbled a bit. She spun around and peered into the mist.
Nothing.
No one.
She laughed nervously. Maybe it was just her imagination. She was so wound up it was a miracle that she could even function at all. She made her way quickly out of the park.
Todd stepped out of the shadows and watched the beautiful woman walk away. There was more to Forsythe’s story, he was sure of it. And until he knew for certain, he wasn’t about to hand the girl over…yet.
He flipped the collar of his coat up and began tracking Karinna.
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Todd sat outside her apartment building and smoked a cigar. Finding her was easy. He tracked down the car rental agency. She had rented a small, non-descript blue sedan. She was forced to use her name. Karinna DeMarco.
He had a hunch she lived close by the rental place. She saw it, needed the wheels, and rented a car. He staked out two apartment buildings and an older hotel in a five-mile radius of the agency. The fist two were fruitless. The last proved to be a winner.
Todd watched the people come and go. About four hours into his stakeout he saw a woman enter the building quickly, she had a scarf covering her hair. He caught a glimpse of red, and followed her inside. Sure enough, it was DeMarco. He had been watching her ever since. She was nervous and jumpy, always looking over her shoulder.
He smiled cynically. She should be. Miss DeMarco was a thief who stole fifty thousand dollars from Forsythe. They were lovers and she suddenly took a powder. She had secrets. He intended on finding out what they were.
He sat in his car and patiently waited. He had spooked her this morning and she stayed holed up in her hotel room ever since. He knew it was a matter of time before she went stir crazy and ventured out. It was almost twilight. He glanced at his Rolex, a quarter till six. The door to the hotel opened. Karinna cautiously walked out the door. She hesitated, and then set off walking. She tried to keep her pace normal and unhurried, but failed miserably.
Todd smiled nastily. The thrill of stalking never failed to exhilarate him. He climbed out of his car and began the hunt.
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Karinna had to get out of her small room. She was going nuts staring at the four walls. She knew she was taking a big risk, but she wasn’t a coward. That was what usually got her into trouble. She was headstrong and stubborn.
She wished there were more people out on the streets. It was January, and the fog and cold kept most people indoors. Happy with their families, and secure in they’re nice, safe lives. How she envied them.
Her footsteps echoed loudly on the pavement. She felt like the only person on earth. She glanced over her shoulder. Through the mist she saw a shape, all in black. Her breath froze in her lungs. She felt that awful tingle surge through her body again.
It was him.
The same person who was following her today. What an idiot she was. A stupid, careless fool. Why didn’t she just stay indoors? Karinna bit her lip and crossed the street. A scream was seconds away; she clamped down her rising hysteria.
She licked her dry lips and peered across the street. The man was tall, dark and scary looking. He stood perfectly still. He was watching her watch him. He was dressed in black slacks, a black turtleneck and boots. He wore a long, black leather coat, the kind she’d seen cowboys wear in old western movies. Except this one was a hip, nineties version, it fell to his ankles. He looked like a gunslinger.
His hair was long, extremely so. It hung in a shining, chestnut curtain to his waist. His face was scarred, up high on his left cheekbone. And again on his right eyebrow, except that one was tiny. It only added to his looks rather than detracted from them. He had a beard. A goatee, she thought it was called. He had a cigar clamped between his teeth. A gust of wind kicked up. It blew his hair gently up and away from his face like a satiny cloud. A long, glossy strand blew across his face. He tipped his head slightly. It fell obediently back into place. He lifted an eyebrow and slowly took a long pull on the cigar. The tip glowed like an evil eye. He released the smoke sensually out his nostrils and mouth. His eyes glittered as he winked and smiled slightly, it held no warmth whatsoever. It was arrogant and threatening.
Karinna didn’t know where the smoke started and the fog ended. Her breath hitched in her chest. The man took the cigar and dropped it to the ground, deliberately grinding it with his boot. He never took his eyes off her.
Then he started across the street, his tread was slow and dangerous. His face was shuttered and his eyes narrowed.
Karinna moaned a little and scrambled backwards. She spun around and streaked down the street as fast as her feet could take her. She was making little gasping noises at the back of her throat as she wound her way throughout the city.
She didn’t once look back, she was afraid for her life. Who ever that man was, he was after her, and Lucas was behind it. She kept weaving her way though the streets until she dared stopped running.
She hunched over, and gasped for air. She looked up and was relieved to see there was no one in sight. The man seemed to have vanished into thin air. She almost sobbed in relief. She found a coffee shop and stayed, shaking for an hour, and then getting her courage up, she hailed a taxi.
She paid the taxi driver and cautiously entered the hotel. She was trembling with fatigue. She took the elevator and pressed her forehead against the fake wood paneling. She could no longer stay here. She had to get her things together and leave tonight.
The elevator dinged, the doors slowly opened. Karinna had her body pressed tightly against the wall. She stuck her head out quickly and peered down the hallway. It was empty and silent. She sighed in relief and quietly walked to her room.
She gently slid the key in the lock and turned. Her hands were slippery with sweat. She turned the knob and walked in, shutting and bolting the door rapidly. Her heart was racing and she felt light-headed.
She stumbled her way throughout the darkened room groping for the lamp. She flicked it on, and sighed. “Thank God, “ she whispered. “I’m safe…I’m safe,” she chanted in a trembling breath.
“Do you really think so Miss DeMarco?”
Karinna spun around and gasped in complete and utter shock.
Todd Manning was leaning against her door, effectively barring her one and only way out. His arms were folded and his legs were crossed at the ankle. His amber eyes were burning a hole right through her. A white, cruel smile was on his lips. He looked like what he was…a hunter. He was staring at her with cold contempt.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Because I don’t. I don’t think you’re one bit safe…not anymore.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Karinna put a trembling hand to her mouth. He had been tracking her all along. He walked right into his trap.
“Who are you?” She whispered.
Todd stared at her expressionlessly with those unusual tiger-eyes of his.
Karinna tipped her chin up as a flash of anger came to the surface. “I said who are you?” She enunciated sharply. “Did Lucas send you?”
His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Don’t worry about Lucas…worry about me,” he replied softly. His face was hard and closed.
The anger was rapidly replaced with fear. Karinna cut her eyes to a heavy glass ashtray sitting on top of a cheap Formica coffee table. In a flash she was across the room and lunging for it.
Todd was upon her like an animal. With staggering speed, he crossed the room and yanked the ashtray from her hand. He threw it across the room. It smashed violently against the wall. He grabbed her roughly, holding both her wrists behind her back in one hand, while the other one grasped her chin.
“What did you plan on doing with that ashtray, huh?” He asked in a low, controlled voice. “If you thought you were clock me with it, then you just made the biggest mistake of you’re life.”
Karinna was breathing rapidly. “You go to hell,” she spat. Her green eyes were shooting angry sparks. She gasped when his hold on her chin tightened. “Look,” she began desperately. “I have money, I can pay you…just please, look the other way, and…and let me go…” she stopped abruptly.
Todd threw back his head and laughed. He raised a sardonic eyebrow. “You’re kidding, right? Do you think I’m gonna look the other way?” He leaned his face in so close that his warm breath mingled with hers. “And do you really think I’m gonna let you go?” She stared into his eyes and saw nothing warm or sympathetic. He looked cool and remote.
“Besides…what money you do have, was stolen from Forsythe, which makes you a thief. You are just as untrustworthy as he is.”
She glared at him. Her jaw was beginning to ache from the pressure of his hand. It was like a vise. “You’re hurting me,” she said stonily.
Todd released her abruptly. “Don’t EVER try and hurt me, DeMarco. Do you understand? You’ll live to regret it.”
She tamped down tears as she rubbed her wrists. “You animal,” she breathed.
Todd’s smile was unpleasant and predatory. “That’s right. I am. Don’t forget that.” He looked around swiftly. He reached under the bed and pulled out her suitcase.
“No! Don’t touch that!” Karinna shouted. She grabbed the handle from his hand and yanked.
Todd set his jaw. “Drop it,” he rapped out. She continued tugging at it. “I said drop it,” he growled. He plucked it from her hands and threw it on the bed. “Get you’re clothes. You have exactly five minutes,” he snapped.
Karinna was breathless with frustration. “How dare you!” She shouted. “Who do you think you are?”
He jerked her to him. “I don’t have to answer one of your goddamn questions.” He narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Don’t make me tell you again. Get your shit together because were leaving,” he threatened. He gave her a little shove and pushed her towards the closet.
Karinna pulled her clothes from the closet and threw them into the suitcase. She stalked to the dresser and began scooping up bras, pantyhose, and underwear. She tossed those in as well. She looked up from underneath her lashes.
He was looking at her dourly. He bent down and picked up a lacy camisole. He slid the satin scrap of fabric through his fingers. “Missing something?” He inquired softly. He brought the fabric up to his nose and breathed deeply, closing his eyes. “Huh…Chanel No.5. You sure have expensive taste, baby,” he remarked.
Karinna’s stomach dropped to her feet. Seeing him with something so personal of hers was disturbing to say the least. Her heart fluttered. He was dangerously handsome. Jesus! What the hell are you thinking? Immediately angry with herself, she reached out and snatched the garment from his hand. “I’ll take that now, if you don’t mind,” she snapped.
He pulled his lip through his teeth and laughed slyly. “A little touchy, aren’t we? I mean it’s not like you’re an innocent virgin.” He swept his eyes from the tips of her toes and took his sweet time traveling all the way up her body to her fiery hair. “From the looks of it, I’d say you were far from it.”
Offended, Karinna cried, “You don’t know a damn thing about me! How can you make a judgment based on the way I look? You are a pig…. Mr.…? Just what the hell is you’re name anyway, huh? Lucifer? Satin? What?” She shouted, losing her cool completely.
Todd grinned whitely. “You know…. I haven’t been called Lucifer in quite awhile. I really kinda miss it. And believe me, baby… I’ve been called just about everything.” He bowed slightly. “But my real name is Manning…Todd Manning.” He abruptly wiped the smile off his face and took a step towards her. “Let’s go. We gotta book.” He zipped up her suitcase and grasped her by her arm. His hold was like steel; he propelled her out the door and into the elevator in the blink of an eye.
“Stop manhandling me!” Karinna yelled.
Todd slammed her against the wall. “Shut up. I am sick to death of hearing you yap.” He loomed over her; with his long hair framing his face, he looked sinister and dark. “We are gonna leave here real nice and easy, do you understand me? You make one stupid move, I’ll drag you out by that red hair of yours, and that’s a promise.” His face was carved in granite. Karinna had no doubt that he meant what he said. She nodded rapidly. “I won’t cause any trouble,” she whispered.
“Glad to hear it,” Todd muttered.
The elevator doors opened and they casually walked across the lobby. “You stay frosty, Red. And there won’t be any trouble,” he hissed in her ear.
Karinna forced herself to relax against him. They made their way outside without incident.
“C’mon… my ride’s this way.” They began walking towards a black sports car. “Get in,” Todd ordered. “Hey…you don…” Karinna began; she looked at Todd and turned her head towards the street. A low-slung, dark sedan was rapidly approaching them. The window was rolled down and the glint of a AK assault rifle was apparent.
Todd clenched his jaw. “Fuck!” He grabbed her and bodily threw her in the car. “Stay the fuck down!” He reached in his jacket and pulled out a gun. He put a booted foot up on the fender of his car and yanked his pant leg up, he pulled at the tear down and produced another gun, shiny and metallic. He was icy calm.
Karinna held her head in her hands and curled into a ball. It was Lucas…she knew it. He was coming to kill her. She moaned in sheer terror.
Todd walked in the middle of the street and began firing the both guns in short, controlled bursts. He managed to blow the front tire out and emptied both of the clips into the front window. He slammed in another couple of magazines and dropped to the ground. The unmistakable rat-a-tat of the AK ripped the air. Todd rolled over and over and fired back rapidly.
He jumped up and continued firing as he vaulted into the Shelby. He gunned the engine and burned the tires. The powerful muscle car was gone in a flash. They took off and reached a100mph in a heartbeat. The San Francisco streets passed by in a blur.
Karinna sat up. Her face was leeched of all color and she was trembling from head to toe.
Todd glared at her. “What the fuck did you do to him?” He shook his head in disgust. “Lady…you better pray. Cause if Forsythe doesn’t kill you, I will.”
