I Got Your Back, Hailey

By June Kramin

When Hailey stumbles upon a backpack full of money on her nightly jog, she is forced to flee the security of her secret identity.
Although the sudden appearance of a man that had been flirting with her earlier seems odd, Hailey accepts Parker’s help in getting the heavy bag home. Within moments of arriving, they escape under gunfire. The men it was intended for want it back, and Hailey has now made herself a target.
Safe in a motel room, the two of them discover the truth: although their meeting was an accident, Parker had been involved in the bag’s drop and she had been his assignment all along. Now, getting Hailey away safely is Parker’s new mission. Together they struggle to put together the pieces of Hailey’s past and discover that they have more in common than they thought.

Being on the run, keeping Hailey’s family safe, and searching for clues to put away the man that wants her dead are hard enough. Falling in love in the middle of it all was the last thing either one of them expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: June Kramin
• Release date: Apr 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311238672

June Kramin

Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” on a hobby farm in a small town in Southern Minnesota.Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets.Being hopelessly addicted to 80′s music is her super power.

Book preview

I Got Your Back,

Hailey

By

June Kramin

I Got Your Back, Hailey

By June Kramin

Copyright © 2014 by June Kramin

…

All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

…

This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. No part of this book can be reproduced or sold by any person or business without the express permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1497301641

Published in the United States of America

Cover Art by Valerie Kramin

Stock images:Dreamstime

Edited by Erica Ellis - http://www.ericaellisfreelance.com/

Dedication

To Erica

For saving my ass all those years ago, and being

so kind as to do it again with this book.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About the Author

Chapter One

I looked up from my novel for the fifth time to find the man at the counter staring at me again. When he turned away, the smirk I was trying to hide made its way out. You’re not so bad yourself. Too bad I’m not interested, I said under my breath and turned to put the book in my purse on the seat next to me. When I turned back around, he was so close he made me jump. It’s not often I can hold my tongue. Okay, I can’t ever. Shit! You scared the crap out of me.

He grinned. I’m glad he found my heart attack and potty mouth humorous. I’m sorry.

For scaring me or for staring at me?

Both, I guess. Can I sit down?

Be my guest. I was just leaving. Motioning him back, I slid out of the booth.

You sure I can’t buy you a coffee?

Persistent bastard. I’ve already had my fill. Thanks. You watched me through two refills. You should have made your move sooner. Not really.

Maybe I needed to work up my courage.

Well, now you’ve missed your chance. I need to get home.

Boyfriend?

Better. My dog. Again, not really, but I can lie with the best of them when I have to. Trust me, I have to.

He laughed and extended his hand. Please? Name’s Parker. Parker Peters.

Now it was my turn to laugh. There’s no way he was serious. You shitting me? You have your Spiderman costume on under that hoody?

That’s Peter Parker and no, I don’t.

Giving in, I accepted his hand in a quick shake. Nice to meet you, but I really have to run. See you later, Spiderman.

He hollered out, Wait! Curious, I spun back around. Won’t you at least give me the name of the woman who’s breaking my heart?

Right. He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head slightly to the side, begging. He was certainly cute. I caved. Hailey.

As in the comet?

"Except with an ‘I’ as in ‘I really have to go.’" He was adorable and charming, but I really couldn’t do this.

Trying to sweeten the attempt, he put his hands to his chest, clutching at his heart, but I didn’t let that change my mind. Like an idiot, I turned around once I was outside. Parker was pressed up against the coffee shop window with his arms spread wide. Cursing the laugh that escaped, I quickened the pace home.

There was no dog to greet me; I was a cat person. Still am, I guess, it’s just that the cat tree in the corner had been empty for a while. After I moved here, I’d gone to the animal shelter in a weak moment and rescued a cat that was going to be put down if I didn’t adopt it. Even though I didn’t know her, I couldn’t bear the thought of her death. The black and white kitty had been an ornery cuss, but eventually we’d bonded. Guinevere helped me through a horrible breakup and then two days later was hit by a car on one of the rare occasions I let her ill tempered ass outside. It was too much, losing my fiancé and my cat in the same week. I’d been steering clear of both men and cats ever since, not having the stomach yet to replace either. The cat I’d had to put down; I’d wished the same of the fiancé.

As soon as I walked through the door to my townhouse, I kicked off my heels and changed from work clothes into my favorite jogging attire: sweat shorts, a tank top, and a light jacket. After lacing up my well-worn sneakers, I took off for my nightly jog, cursing that second coffee refill. I hadn’t really wanted it, but the man had me curious, so I’d lingered, waiting to see what would happen. My first instinct had been to run out of the coffee shop as soon as I’d realized he was watching me, but something had made me want to stay. He didn’t seem like any trouble at all and was probably just another pretty face hoping for a quick ride. I guess I got bored waiting.

Mostly I ran alone. Sometimes a runner I knew from my jogging path would keep me company for a small stretch of the five mile run, breaking up the monotony, but not often. The route I took varied very little. I didn’t want to become a creature of habit, but there were only a few ways the route could be altered. As silly as it sounded to even me, I tried to mix up the course a little each time. One too many cop shows revealed a plot where a person was killed after the killer followed the victim’s routine for days. Sometimes I laughed at myself about being so foolish, but I kept switching my route anyway. A single gal couldn’t be careful enough. Especially with my history. Approaching a Y in the path at the playground, I remembered I went left yesterday, so today I went right.

The small suburb of Minneapolis that I lived in had its share of crime, but murder was rarely in the papers. My modest townhouse had a wonderful forest with a jogging path a block away. The thought of going out alone never scared me. The path spanned a local river on three different bridges. Its twists and turns followed the park just right, or vice-versa. I loved that I could still feel a little bit of wilderness, even though I was only minutes from downtown Minneapolis.

Minnesota was a far cry from California, but I really did enjoy the change. The fresh air was the first thing I noticed. Although still a big city, Minneapolis never had the cloud of smog that almost always seemed to hover over LA. I’d traded my bikini for a winter coat, but since I’d only been here for one winter, snow was still a novelty. Shoveling was nothing more than great exercise. I didn’t curse it the way my neighbors did. Of course, they said this had been a mild winter. You should have been here last year. Now that was hell. There was always someone with a story of a worse winter. Minnesotans sure liked to talk about the weather.

As I approached the first bridge, I saw a squirrel off to the side, chattering away. Calling out in a familiar tease that my friends at work often used when they get distracted, I said, Squirrel!…right before tripping on something and damn near face-planting on the rough gravel.

Sonofabitch! I rolled to my back as I clutched my knee, which now sported a pretty good scrape. This is going to look pretty with nylons. Glancing down to my feet to see what had made me trip, I harshly kicked at the dark blue backpack. Piece of crap. My attention returned to the squirrel, which now seemed to be mocking me. Little bastard. It was still chattering, oddly not scared away by my ranting. Beat it, rat. Its tail twitched three more times before it finally scampered away.

The pain subsiding, I finally managed to sit back up. I looked around for the owner of the pack, but found myself alone on the trail, as usual. Anybody out there? There was no response. Great. I kicked the backpack again for good measure.

I tried to pick up the bag, but it was heavier than I thought it would be. What the hell? Someone swiping friggin’ bricks? Squatting down, I unzipped the bag then dropped to my ass, shocked by what the bag held. What the…? Quickly standing, I brushed myself off. Looking around again, I picked up the bag and flung it over my shoulder. The weight of it caused me to step forward; I adjusted my balance with all the grace of a baboon in the midst of a shit fight. Why would there be a backpack filled with money in the middle of the park?

Chapter Two

My knee was really bothering me on the walk home. More painful, though, was playing the worst game of angel on one shoulder and devil on the other ever. Of course I knew the right thing would be to call the cops, but hey…finders keepers, losers weepers. No self respecting person would have this kind of cash on them—in a backpack, no less. It had to have come from shady people who more than likely had plenty more where this came from.

Like many others I knew, I was struggling paycheck to paycheck and making payments on the piece of crap I called a car. It ate oil like crazy and needed new tires. Rent had gone up in the year I’d been here, and the price of gas was going through the roof this summer. This lifestyle was new to me, but it was how things had to be now. I tried to make the best of it, but damn, this money would sure come in handy.

As much as I wanted to justify keeping the money and putting it to good use, I knew I’d call the police when I arrived home. The further I walked, the more it occurred to me that the money could mean big trouble. Did I just botch a kidnapping payoff? Was there a drug deal going down? Was it payoff for a mob kill? Is that what the squirrel was going crazy about? Was he warning me that there was a dead body past him or someone watching with a gun? Now you’re being ridiculous.

Despite thinking those things were crazy, I glanced over my shoulder in fear. Not watching where I was going, I walked into someone. Again my fear led my mouth with an onslaught of fresh cussing. Only being surprised by the familiar face stopped me mid curse word.

Jesus, Hailey. You’re wound up tight. You okay?

Spiderman?

Parker laughed. You look like you saw a ghost.

You scared me, that’s all. Again, I might add. You live around here?

Actually, I do. He pointed to a townhome across the highway. Corner spot, third floor. Got it for a steal with this economy. After glancing at my knee, he squatted down. Looks like you took a tumble. You always this graceful?

Yeah. In all honesty, I was a klutz, but there was no reason to tell him that. I mean, no. I just wasn’t watching where I was going.

I thought you were limping. Here, he said, reaching for the bag. I’ll carry this for you.

Clutching the strap tight, I blurted out, No! I have it. That’s all I needed; him discovering what was in the bag.

Come on. Let me help. Not heeding my wishes, he removed it from my shoulder.

Holy crap. You stealing rocks from the park or something?

Sure. Why not. Uh…yeah. I needed a few for landscaping my little flower bed. You some kind of park ranger or something?

No. I don’t care what you do, Comet.

Comet? I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. If I had a dime for everyone that thought that was clever…

Sorry. I like it. You think you’re the first chick to call me Spiderman?

I suppose you’re right. Truce on the names.

Truce. Where do you live?

Something finally hit me. Yeah, I’m not always so bright. It was too much of a coincidence that he was here. I stopped in my tracks. Wait a second. You stalking me?

Looking as if I’d wounded his ego, Parker put the bag down and crossed his arms. Are you serious? I see you in a coffee shop on the corner two blocks from my townhouse and at a park another few blocks away. Now I’m a stalker? Have trust issues much?

Maybe I do. I tried to pick up the bag and walk away but ended up stumbling on it, already forgetting about the weight.

Parker reached out, steadying me. You okay?

Trying to regain my dignity and straightening out my shirt, I huffed, I’m fine. You going to help me or what?

Scooping up the bag and swinging it on his shoulder in one motion, he looped his other arm through mine. Come on, Hop-along. I’ll walk you home.

We walked in silence to my townhouse. I unlocked the door and motioned to Parker that it was okay to follow me in. My leg had really started to hurt; I wasn’t about to fight him over carrying the pack in for me.

He placed the bag on my countertop. Where do you have sandwich bags?

Huh? I scrunched my eyebrows. Why?

I want you to ice your knee. It’s not looking so hot.

After glancing down at it, I felt even worse and plopped into the closest chair. Holy hell. It looks like a softball. Pointing to a row of drawers by the sink, I said, Second one down.

As Parker went for them, he moved the curtain above the sink aside and peered out the window. Shit.

Shit, what?

He grabbed me by the arm, jerking me to my feet. You have a car?

Of course I have a freakin’ car. I shook my arm, trying to get out of his grasp, but he held firm. Let go of me. The keys are on the counter. Take it. It’s a piece of crap. Instead of letting me go, he pulled me along toward the keys, scooped them up, and then picked up my purse by the handle. For crying out loud. I only have fifty bucks. Take it, just leave my purse.

Instead of digging through it, he offered it to me. Is there a back way out?

Screen door on the patio. I went to speak again, but he put his hand over my mouth. Just shut up and stay close. Lifting the backpack as he walked by, he pulled me along and out the screen door. Where’s your car?

I pointed at a six slot parking garage. In there. Number four. Look…Just let me go.

I wish I could. They followed us after all. Once outside, he continued to pull me along toward the garage.

They who, dammit?

Before he could answer, the glass in the window of the garage door shattered. I screamed then wrapped my arms over my head, squatting in fear on the ground like the chicken I am when I…y’know…get shot at.

Parker pulled me back on my feet, dragging me along. We reached the door with no more shots and he shoved me through it. He had me slide into the car through the driver’s side then climbed in after me. Without waiting for the garage door to rise completely, he backed through it. Another shot hit the side of the car as we sped off. I ducked low in the seat.

What the hell was that? I screamed as Parker flew over the speed bump, sending my ass into the door handle. He took only a second to slow himself at the stop sign to check for traffic before speeding onto the highway.

You weren’t kidding about this thing being a piece of crap. It has no balls.

We were shot at and you want to talk engines? Who was that?

Just some people you pissed off, sweetheart.

I pissed off? Last time I checked, no one was shooting at me when you weren’t around.

When’s the last time you had a backpack filled with a million bucks?

I… Wait. What? There’s a million dollars in that thing? How do you know what’s in it?

He stole a quick glance sideways at me before he returned his attention to the road again. I gasped before covering my mouth with my hand, dropping it again only a second later. Did you kill someone?

His laugh was really starting to piss me off. No, I didn’t kill anyone, sweetheart.

Stop it with that. How did you know about the money? When he didn’t reply, I yelled again. Answer me!

What do you think?

How the hell am I supposed to know?

Figure it out, Einstein.

Are you a drug dealer? I asked.

Do I look like a junkie?

Stop answering my questions with more questions.

Well, do I?

I took a second to size him up, but I already knew the answer to that. No, he didn’t. Back at the coffee shop, I’d pretended to be more into the novel than I was. Just because I wanted to steer clear of men didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy a little eye-candy here and there. Parker was very handsome. He had to be very close to my age. Cough. Twenty-nine. Cough. No really. I was twenty-nine. The blue shirt he wore was almost purple, making his blue eyes completely pop. He had to be over six feet tall. If he didn’t spend his afternoon or nights at a gym, he did construction or some other job that kept him fit. When he had pulled me to him, I got a good feel of his biceps and chest. Rock. Hard. Blonds weren’t usually my thing, but he wasn’t so surfer looking with it neatly trimmed. Coming back to the present, I cleared my throat. No, you don’t appear to be a junkie, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve heard the phrase, ‘Don’t get high on your own supply’. You could still be a drug dealer.

I guess you’re right.

So you are a dealer?

No.

What then? You’re a kidnapper. I know that much. I crossed my arms, stiffening my posture.

What makes you think I’m a kidnapper?

You kidnapped me, did you not?

Kidnapped you? He pelted out a laugh. I saved your ass.

Saved me? My arms were now uncrossed and flailing wildly as my voice rose. You’re getting me shot at!

Did you think when you happened upon a backpack with a million dollars that no one was going to be watching?

I didn’t see anyone when I looked around. No one answered when I called out. I was going to call the police when I got home and report it.

Right.

I was!

Whatever you say, sweetheart.

What did I tell you about that?

Right. Sorry, Comet. I grunted in frustration and brought my fists down on my legs. Epic mistake. Of course, I hit my knee in the process. As I cried out in pain, he swerved as he turned to see what the problem was. A car honked at him for veering into their lane. What happened?

I almost bought the hint of concern in his voice. Almost. Throwing my head back in the seat, I reached down for the seat release and dropped back a bit. I hit the knot in my knee. Fucking hurts. I think I’m going to puke.

You kidding me? He swerved again. This time instead of a horn blast, there were sirens. Oh, shit.

Cops? Although I was still nauseous, my tone was immediately happier. Cops? I’m saved!

You best lay back, play sick, and follow my lead, sweetheart. One word about you being kidnapped and I’ll kill the cop, then I’ll kill you. Got it?

I felt my cheeks flush as I leaned back into the seat again. Got it.

Parker pulled over, but didn’t remain seated like he was supposed to. I’d been pulled over enough to know you aren’t supposed to get out of the car. With any luck, he just blew it, big time. He gave me another glare of stay put as he climbed out. I waited to hear him being reamed out by the officer.

Return to your car, sir.

I’m sorry. I know I’m supposed to wait and I know I swerved, but I swear, I haven’t been drinking.

Return to your car and give me your license and registration.

I will…but can we do this at the hospital?

Hospital?

I’m worried about my wife. That’s why I swerved. I’m sorry. She’s giving me quite a scare. I could hear footsteps rushing over to my side of the car. Not trusting my facial expressions, I kept my arm over my eyes. It’s okay, honey. This nice officer will help us.

I didn’t trust myself to speak; there was no way I could respond to him calling me honey. I was bullshitting him before, but now I really wanted to puke. I needed to just shut up and stay down.

What seems to be the problem? the officer asked.

I swallowed hard, fighting the forces rising in my throat and thinking carefully about what I could possibly say that wouldn’t get this officer killed. Luckily, Parker spoke for me.

She’s sick. Look at her. She fell earlier and her leg swelled up, then she was complaining about being nauseous. I was worried she was going to puke in the car. She’s…uh…pregnant, too.

She’s pregnant?

Yes. Not far along, but I’m really afraid something is wrong.

Follow me.

The policeman gave us an escort to the hospital. It was only ten minutes away, but felt a lot longer with my heart pounding the whole drive. Nausea subsiding, I was still pissed and not about to give my kidnapper a break. Why did you tell him I was pregnant?

Because I know the type. He was more hero than bully. Nothing gets a man like that to snap into hero mode faster than a hurt child or a pregnant woman.

Way to go, genius. What are we supposed to do when we get to the hospital and they tell him I’m not pregnant?

He’s not going to stick around to find out. He’s a highway patrol cop, not a detective. Once we’re settled, he’ll be on his way.

You hope.

I’d bet my life on it.

Or mine.

Look…I’m not going to hurt you if you don’t give me reason to. I didn’t come all this way for you to turn me in to Trooper Troy there. How are you feeling, anyway?

His concern threw me off; I wasn’t about to get chummy. Just dandy. Thanks for the concern, Spiderman.

I thought you wanted to quit with the names.

Well, I’m pissed off. You kidnapped me, threatened to kill me, then told a cop I was pregnant.

You’re really touchy on the pregnant thing. What’s the story with that?

None of your fucking business.

You kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?

I don’t have a boyfriend.

With all that charm? I’m surprised. Before I could yell at him again, he said, We’re here. Same rules, doll. Play along until we ditch the cop and we’re safe on our way again.

Yes, sir. I saluted him, using just one finger.

Parker pulled into a spot off the emergency room and hurried around to the passenger side. The policeman walked over. You got this? There’s an accident on 35W I need to get to.

I can get her in. I really appreciate the escort.

He nodded to me. Hope everything’s okay with you and the baby, miss.

Managing a Thank you was hard work. I wanted to kick Parker in the shin and scream for the officer to help me get away from this lunatic, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Parker had wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close to his chest again. This time, though, I was certain I felt more than his rock-hard abs. The object could only be a gun.

Parker helped me walk toward the door of the ER but as soon as the policeman was out of sight, he continued to the parking lot on the other side.

Where are you going?

We need a car. If I have to go another mile in that piece of crap, I’ll go insane.

Now you’re going to steal a car?

Pretty bright. Guess it’s not true what they say about redheads.

My hair is not red!

He laughed. Right. Maybe it’s your temper that is misleading.

Look. I—

Placing his hand over my mouth, he said, You want to tone it down a bit? Boosting a car usually doesn’t go over so well with an audience of people checking out a ranting lunatic. He quickly dropped his hand after I licked it. What are you? Seven?

Don’t touch me.

Wiping his hand on his pants, he said, Then shut the hell up. He observed the parking lot for a few minutes. Whether he was searching for cars or to see if we’d been followed, I wasn’t sure. Wanting to run was my first instinct, but my knee was really giving me problems now. Just standing there was excruciating. Come on. That new ‘Stang will be a snap to get into.

Gee, like to stay low profile much?

They’re a dime a dozen these days. We’ll blend in fine. After leaning me against the black car, he tried the handle. It’s not even locked. After one more glance around, he opened the door and gave it a quick check for keys. Coming up with nothing, he walked me around to the passenger side and helped me in. You even think about locking me out…

I know. And you’ll kill me. I scowled as he sauntered all too coolly to the driver’s side, almost daring me to try to take off. I flipped him off once more before reclining the chair back and draping my arm over my eyes again.

After closing the door behind him, Parker began the task of hot-wiring the car. Within seconds, we were on our way.

I tried to play tough and tune out everything that was happening, but I was becoming scared and angry as the minutes ticked by. Of course, I couldn’t let him see the scared part. Where are we going, anyway?

Wisconsin for starters. I have someplace I need to be in case something got screwed up. He glanced my way. And screw this up you did. I need to steal a set of plates to buy us some time, then we’ll see about getting you something for your leg.

I lowered my arm and turned to him. What do you give a shit about my leg for? Aren’t you going to kill me anyway?

If I wanted you dead, sweetheart, you’d be dead. You got in the way, is all. Trust me. If I could have left you back there, my life would be a hell of a lot simpler right now.

Still not feeling better about the situation, I leaned back again. Twenty minutes later, we crossed into Wisconsin. I sat up when the car finally came to a stop yet another twenty miles down the road. I promptly sighed in disgust. Do you always pick the most run down, crappy place to stop?

I’m hoping to avoid security cameras.

Well then, you may have scored on that account. My knee had been throbbing the whole drive, but I did my best to ignore it. Right now, though, a flash of pain hit me and I couldn’t help sucking in a deep breath.

Parker’s head jerked my way, but he offered me no sympathy. Not that I wanted it. He glanced down at my knee, but quickly returned his eyes to mine. Sorry. Nice try. I’m not leaving you alone. You’ll have to hobble in with me.

Trust me. Attention from you is the last thing I want. I have to pee anyway. You going to let me do that?

Pointing ahead