Black Opal Read Online Free PDF Page A

gods’ sakes slow down, Bella,” Sabina yelled above the roar of traffic as Bella whipped around a truck in front of them then back into the right hand lane.
    “Bella, did you hear me? This is not funny,” she called out her eyes scrunched shut, the wind whistling in her ears. When there was no response she pried her eyes open. Her neck stiff with tension, she turned her head toward Bella then jerked straight up.
    Bella’s face looked like paste and her hands white-knuckled the steering wheel. “Brakes are gone.”
    “ Merda !”
    As the car continued to gain speed, the tires screamed around the curves. Pines growing along the mountain flew by in a green blur.
    Bella pulled into the fast lane and passed a semi as if it were sitting still. Next she passed a van.
    Sabina shuddered as she saw the little ones inside staring out the window.
    “Oh my gods.”
    Sabina looked up and for one timeless second was afraid she would pass out with fear. Two trucks drove side by side up ahead and Bella’s little red sports car was gaining on them rapidly.
    “I’m going to have to aim for the rail and hope I don’t go over,” Bella shouted.
    Sabina’s paralysis left her and her arm bearing the amulet shot out in command as the car hit the rail and began to climb over. Thrown forward then jerked back, her head snapped against the headrest. Her body slammed against the seat, the seat belt cutting into her shoulder and chest as the car screamed to a halt, its nose hanging over the edge of the ravine.
    Her heart thumped like a jackhammer and her breath came in short sharp gasps but she had saved them from plunging to their death down the mountain.
    With a groan, the car tipped backward, its back wheels on the ground, its nose in the air.
    “What the hell took you so long,” Bella panted, trembling.
    “I was so frightened I could barely move my arm. And my brain refused to function at all.” Sabina glanced at the sheer drop below. The car balanced precariously on the thin iron rail, the nose bobbing up and down, the back tires inching upward.
    “Let’s get out of here.” Bella pushed the clasp of her seat belt with her thumb. The belt fell free.
    Sabina threw open her door and jumped out. She went limp with relief as she heard Bella’s door open. She heaved a deep breath and stepped away from the edge, lightheaded and dizzy.
    The whine of a car sounded close by. She glanced at the road and straightened like a spring. The white Jeep that had dogged them earlier was heading right for them. As it came abreast, the passenger window rolled down an inch and the barrel of a rifle slid out, pointed straight at them.
    “Look out,” she screamed.
    A horn blared and a red Corvette convertible came screaming around the curve and tapped the Jeep with its sleek bumper.
    The gun disappeared and the Jeep flew down the mountain. The SUV’s shiny white paint glinting in the sun before it disappeared around a sharp curve.
    The ’Vette screamed to a halt as the driver pulled onto the edge behind them. Adam Morelly jumped over the door. “Are you all right?” He ran forward and grabbed Sabina by her shoulders, his face stiff, his pupils dilated.
    Sabina sagged against him feeling giddy with relief. Everything was all right. He’d come.
    She tensed.
    On the heels of her relief came a cold hard suspicion impossible to ignore. She pulled away and backed up, wary. “This is the second time you’ve appeared out of nowhere at the precise moment I’m about to die. I find that quite coincidental don’t you? The problem is I don’t believe in coincidences.” She jammed her hands into her jean pockets to hide their trembling, staring at him, her face expressionless, knowing suspicion lurked in her eyes.
    “It wasn’t a coincidence,” he snapped out. “I got a phone call.”
    “From whom?” Her voice laced with distrust, Sabina narrowed her eyes.
    “Maybe you can tell me,” he said his tone soft, dangerously so. He took a step forward.