Laying it Bare on the Run (Laying it Bare Series Book 4)

By L.E. Martin

What do you do when you’ve lost everything and trusting someone could end up getting you killed?

Harper Key has been on the run for almost two months. Deadly conditions at home sent her fleeing for her life. On her own, she is slow to trust because one wrong word could lead the enemy right to her.

When Harper’s travels drop her in the path of Officer Cannon Rush, he can’t help but want to help her. He’s captivated by the strong mysterious woman and vows to be there for her. With their attraction heating up and the enemy closing in, will he be able to protect her and show her he is someone she can trust, not only with her life but her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.E. Martin
• Release date: Dec 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005177683

L.E. Martin

L.E. Martin is currently working on adding more books to her Laying it Bare Series. She has a couple biker stories in the works and also a rock star one. Her next release is book one of a paranormal romance duet, which is releasing Oct. 15, 2022. There will also be another paranormal story following a side character from the Blood Covenant world releasing after book two of the duet.

Book preview

Laying it Bare

on the Run

By L.E. Martin

Laying it Bare on the Run

Copyright © 2020 L.E. Martin

Cover Designed by Emily Rose

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

For my Family and Friends

who continue to support me every step of the way

Chapter One

~Harper~

It will be okay, Harper. My older brother Vincent cupped my face as he tried to soothe my rattling nerves. I’ve got this. His blue eyes bore into mine; trying to reassure me this wouldn’t end badly.

But I wasn’t buying it. I shoved him away and tugged my hands franticly through my blonde curls before fixing him with my own set of blues. No, you don’t and no, it won’t. We have to run, right this instant. Maybe if we can get clear across the country we can be safe enough to find someone who can help us. They have too many people under their control and in their pockets. We have to go now.

He shoved his hand through his own mop of blond. We don’t have time. They’ll be here any minute. But once they see I don’t have what they’re looking for, they’ll leave. I’ll let them turn this house upside down because I don’t have those pictures. And once they realize that, they’ll leave.

Glancing around our parents’ cozy living room, I couldn’t imagine the tan plush couch cushions shredded or the wooden end tables and coffee table upturned and broken. The tan recliner my dad used to relax in while watching the evening news, I didn’t want to see it destroyed. No, they won’t. And I can’t lose you too. They killed Mom and Dad and Lena. Please leave with me right now. Out the back door and we’ll just run. They won’t know where to start to look for us. Please, Vincent. My voice wobbled at the end as unadulterated terror shot throughout my body.

They’ll just track us if they find we’re gone when they get here. We’ll stay here and face them and show them we don’t have what they are looking for. Then they’ll leave. And we don’t know for sure it was them who killed our family.

I call bullshit. I know we didn’t witness it but if it wasn’t done by Waik’s hands, it was done by one of his dirty lackeys. And what pictures are they looking for?

Don’t worry about it. We don’t have them so you don’t need to know about them.

I was well aware I didn’t have time to argue with him about the fact that even if we didn’t have the pictures they were looking for Vincent knew about them. And once again he was trying to protect me by not telling me. Although I could guess: they were probably ones of them committing vile crimes. Evidence no one seemed to ever be able to get on them.

And why is it that no one can seem to get any charges to stick to them. They’ve assassinated government leaders so they can get their own people in office, they traffick women, they smuggle in drugs; why aren’t they behind bars yet?

Because they kill their witnesses and are extremely clever about their doings.

That’s why we need to get out of here right now. We didn’t witness anything but I don’t trust they’d believe us. They’re monsters and they kill just for the joy of it. My heart thudded against my rib cage threatening to explode out of it. I had to convince him to run.

Faint headlights flickered from the bottom of our long driveway. Vincent jerked his head toward the front window. Shit, they’re already here. I thought I’d have more time to get you out of here. After reaching into his pocket for his wallet, he grabbed a bundle of bills and shoved the wad of cash into my hands. Use this to get as far away from here as possible. After they are gone, make a run for it. I’ll find you later. He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.

I stared at the money for a moment before tucking the bills into the front pocket of my jeans. You’re lying. They’re going to kill you. I choked out the last two words and tears welled in my eyes before slipping down my cheeks.

It’ll be alright. Fear flashed in his eyes briefly before they shone with determination. Where can I hide you? His face brightened. The crawl space beside the bookcase.

On the other side of the front window stood a stone fireplace and a bookcase built by my father sat beside it. For reasons we can’t be sure about, our house contained a small hidden crawl space beside the bookcase. We had thought it was to hide slaves before the start of the Civil War but Tennessee had been a slave state. Although I guess there still could have been a few people against it and willing to hide escaped slaves. Growing up, it had given me a warm sense of contentment in my heart to believe we had lived in a home that had possibly been a safe house to those who were searching for freedom that they should have had all along. But at the moment, all serenity had evaporated as our home felt like anything but one today.

Wedging his fingertips into the barely visible seam in the wooden panel, Vincent quickly pulled open the trap door and had me slide inside and duck down. I was tiny – barely five foot two – but it was a cramped space even for me. Don’t make a sound. If I have to go with them, you run as soon as you hear the cars drive off and I’ll come find you later. If I can get rid of them, we’ll decide on another plan. I love you, Harper. He closed the panel.

And I was engulfed in darkness except for a pea sized hole, which I immediately shoved my face up to so I could keep an eye on him. In a matter of seconds, our home was invaded by five men. All bulky builds with slovenly greasy hair and cold eyes which scanned the entire living room. Vincent had backed away from my secret spot and pretended to be fussing with something in the fireplace.

Ah, Vincent. Are you ready to hand over those photographs so this doesn’t have to get ugly? Waik, with his slicked back black hair and beady dark eyes, crossed his arms over his chest as he gazed at my brother from across the room. His four goons stood stock still beside him, guns in their hands which hung lazily at their sides.

I don’t even know what pictures you are talking about. I don’t have anything of yours.

Waik tsked and shook his head. Where is Harper? We were hoping to see her beautiful face here with you. She’s a stunner like your mom used to be. So sorry to hear about your parents and younger sister. Tragic.

My brother stiffened at the mention of our deceased family. She had errands to run so wasn’t able to join us. I’ll tell her you asked about her.

We’ll just wait for her to return. We need to talk to her too. Waik narrowed his eyes. Besides, I think she’s here, hiding. He gestured with his head to the two goons at his right.

Without hesitation, they hurried out of the room. A few moments later, bangs, crashes, and glass shattering filled the house as their footsteps thudded throughout our upstairs.

Waik stood there as if he were a king and had every right to be invading and wrecking our home, eyeing my brother for a reaction. To my brother’s credit, he didn’t so much as flinch and as long as they kept their search out of the living room his fear of my being discovered would remain off of his face.

I closed my eyes briefly. They were destroying all we had left of our parents and youngest sister.

Then the stomping of feet down our staircase preceded the two bastards’ re-entry to the living room.

She’s not upstairs. One of the thugs grunted as he wiped his hand over his red face.

Waik redirected his attention back to my brother. We can make ourselves at home to await her return. I have nowhere to be.

If I don’t know anything about some pictures, there is no way she has a clue. There’s no need to take time out of your busy schedule to hang around. Vincent gave Waik a small smile.

In return, Waik grinned at my brother but the gesture was far from pleasant. You know I don’t appreciate being lied to and I really don’t like it when someone has something of mine that I didn’t gift them.

I don’t know what you are talking about, honest. I don’t have anything that belongs to you. Vincent’s calm exterior was starting to falter. He had a slight shake to his hands and his gaze kept bouncing among the hired goons.

My stomach began to twist in on itself as my own body started to quake with trepidation. He didn’t have this under control. But I had already known that. What should I do?

Waik’s grin slid into an even more sinister twist of lips. You seem nervous, Vincent. Is it because you do in fact know something?

No, I don’t have any idea what you are looking for but it’s kinda hard not to be nervous when I have four strangers in my parents’ living room with guns drawn and I’m being accused of something I didn’t do. I feel as if I don’t have a fair jury.

You’re wrong, Vincent. On so many accounts but the most vital one is that there are five men here with guns. Waik drew a gun from the back of his waist band and in the blink of an eye had fired off a round.

My entire body jerked at the deafening boom in the small space before my eyes caught sight of my brother – his eyes huge with shock – clutching his chest, blood oozing through his fingers, and then him slumping to the ground in a heap.

I barely suppressed a scream as I shoved my fist into my mouth to stifle my cries. For a few stunned numb moments I couldn’t so much as take in a shaky breath. What in the fuck just happened? Although I half expected this exact scenario, deep down I had held hope that my brother did have this under control and that the two of us would be able to escape. But that bastard took away the last of my family. I was completely alone now. We had distant family on the West Coast but I hadn’t talked to them in years. Besides, I had no means to search for contact information on them. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Tears streaming down my face, my body shook with silent sobs as I stared at my brother’s motionless body. I had to go out to him. On the slightest chance that he was still alive, I had to go help him. But I was trapped.

Find the girl. Waik’s menacing growl sent shivers racing down my spine.

I sent a silent prayer that they never discovered the secret spot. I would wait them out and as soon as I could I’d run like my brother had said. Tears continued to spill down my cheeks. He wouldn’t be joining me later and I had no idea where to go.

Do we kill her? One of his men grunted.

No. A sickening smirk crossed his lips as his eyes lighted with pure delight. I have other plans for her. She’s a beautiful girl with a hot body. We’ll sample the merchandise before we sell her off. I doubt she’s a virgin so we won’t need to worry about ruining the chance at extra money. But she’ll still make us a nice profit.

His words triggered my stomach to expel its contents but I swallowed the acidic vomit, terrified my heaving would alert them to my location. He was fucking out of his mind if he thought I’d allow him to get his hands on me. As long as my luck held out and I remained hidden, I was running as far from this town as I could. I’d run until I couldn’t run any longer and then I’d find a way to make them pay.

His cronies raced out of the room and within moments more crashes and shattering glass erupted throughout the house along with their shouts and taunts. I prayed they were as stupid as they looked. I had to get the chance to run.

However, Waik stayed in the room just listening to the chaos around us with his cold beady eyes scanning the living room in between giving glances to my brother’s body. It was almost as if he could sense me in the room. But that was ridiculous, even though he was an animal and animals sensed their prey.

While I waited for them to finish their search and destroy mission, my tears slowed and my body grew numb again. My heart ached so much, I wondered if I could die from a broken one. Vincent had known this was going to happen, I felt it in my bones. But he’d rather die than see me in Waik’s clutches. Even though it had never been proven, we knew he committed heinous acts. I hadn’t needed to hear the terrifying words come from his mouth and Vincent didn’t need to hear them at all. That was why he had shoved me into this small space and attempted to lead them away from me.

Lost in my thoughts, it took me a moment to realize Waik had begun to pace about the room. His hands roved over the walls as if he were searching for something he knew was here but couldn’t see.

I ducked back into the dark as far as I could. When his body blocked the light from the room, I held my breath, afraid the slightest intake would give away my hiding space. As his hands ran along the panels that surrounded the one standing between me and a horrid fate, my heart banged against my rib cage. Panic washed over me as I was convinced he could hear it.

She’s not here. He had to have been telling the truth. One of Waik’s goons marched into the living room. At least the part about her. He had to have known we were coming and that he wouldn’t be escaping with his life. He was trying to protect her because now she has absolutely no one.

Waik growled and then turned to his crony. Get the rest of the idiots and we’ll head out then.

When light peeked through the tiny hole again, I slowly eased my way back to take a look.

We’ll talk to everyone who associated with her and check all of her usual stomping grounds. We’ll find her. He snarled as he stalked toward the doorway. However, before he left, he gave the room one final sweep with his cunning eyes. While I feared he suspected I was nearby, he couldn’t figure out where.

After he stormed out of the room, I released the breath I had been holding but still didn’t move a muscle. I wasn’t leaving my spot until I was sure they were long gone. And it wasn’t like I had anywhere to go anyway. A new wave of grief swept over me. My brother had been all I had left when my parents and sister were killed almost four months ago.

Would I be able to do this on my own? I wasn’t sure how much money Vincent had given me and there was no way I could tap into my accounts. I wasn’t stupid: Waik would be watching those. I needed to get out of this state, maybe even keep going until I hit the next one or the next. Or keep going the entire way to the West Coast. I guffawed at my insanity. How did I expect to be able to travel that far on my own with not much money, no car, and a huge target on my back? I’d be lucky to get out of the city.

When the front door clanged against the wall, I crouched down in my hideaway and drew my knees up to my chin, wrapping my arms tightly around them. Then I lay my head across my flexed knees.

The sound of a vehicle spinning up gravel reached my ears and a fresh torrent of tears rushed down my cheeks. I sobbed into the darkness as I waited until I was sure they were long gone. After what seemed like hours had passed, I rolled my wrist to get my watch to light; it was nearing ten o’clock. They should be far away by now. Slowly and quietly, even though I was all alone, I pushed at the panel until it popped open and then I stepped out. I put my hand to my mouth as I edged over to where my brother lay in a pool of his blood. Closing my eyes briefly, I tried to get a hold of my wild emotions.

Then I crouched down beside him, careful not to get any blood on my jeans. I didn’t need any questions if I was spotted before I was able to change clothes. I’m so sorry, Vincent. I should have tried harder to convince you to run when we had the chance. I don’t know if we would have made it but we would have been together. I sighed as I could hear his response in my mind. I know. There was a good chance we wouldn’t have gotten far and you still would have been killed and I’d be captured. I shook my head. But I wasn’t ready to lose you. I love you, Vincent. Thank you for protecting me. I won’t let your death be in vain. I will get as far away from here as possible but I promise you this, I will not stop until I find a way to make them pay for what they did. A sob hiccupped out of me and my hands tightened into fists. I don’t know how but I will find a way. There has to be someone somewhere who can bring them down. But I also promise you, I won’t trust easily. I’ll be smart this time. My lips quivered as I fought back more tears. I can’t even give you a proper burial. I have to leave before anyone comes here. I can’t trust that I wouldn’t end up in Waik’s hands somehow if I were to take care of this. I can’t take care of you like you’ve always taken care of me. Dropping my face into my hands, I moaned in anguish. This isn’t right! I sucked in a long breath. I love you, Vincent. Know that you gave me a fighting chance and I intend to use it.

On shaky legs, I stood and tiptoed toward the doorway. After listening for several moments and hearing nothing, I quietly scurried upstairs to my old room. Once inside, I barely gave notice to the condition of the space – the