Dead Run Read Online Free PDF

worried and now—”
    Rick popped his head into the office. “Need you out front, Mark. Wrap it up.”
    Mark nodded and held up one finger, indicating he needed just a moment more.
    When the other man had exited the office, he returned to Tara. “Please, babe, talk to me.”
    â€œMeet me later.” He heard her parents in the background calling to her. “Our regular place.”
    He fought frustration. “Are you sure you can get away? Last time you didn’t show.”
    â€œI’ll be there. I—” her voice cracked “—I love you, Mark.”
    Before he could respond, she had hung up. Mark held the silent receiver to his ear a moment, conflicting emotions roiling inside him. Finally, he hung up and hurried back out to the bar area. Rick looked at him, brow furrowed with concern. “Everything okay?” he asked.
    Mark hesitated. Rick was his friend. He was a smart guy. He would be able to help. Offer advice, support.
    Mark opened his mouth to respond, the whole story—of how he and Tara had met, her wild friends, his doubts about her—springing to his tongue. From the corners of his eyes he saw Libby glance their way, obviously curious.
    Mark thought forward, to the possible consequences of unburdening himself to Rick. Tara was underage. He didn’t think Rick would go to her parents, but if he did…anything could happen. He could be arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
    Her parents would tear the two of them apart.
    Mark hadn’t even met them yet. Tara had been almost rabid on the subject, growing hysterical the couple of times he had tried to push the issue. They were strict, she said. They wouldn’t want her to date an outsider, an older boy. Fearful word would get back to them, Tara had insisted they keep the seriousness of their relationship a secret from everybody, even her friends.
    Mark swallowed the words and forced a smile. “Everything’s just great, boss man. Thanks for asking.”
    Â 
    The lush, walled garden at Paradise Christian Church had become Mark and Tara’s personal Garden of Eden. Although the garden entrance was locked at sundown, Tara, as one of the church’s volunteer tour guides, had a key.
    The first time they’d made love had been in the garden, the thick grass soft beneath them, the fragrant scent of the night jasmine, sweet olive and ginger filling their heads. The experience had been so perfect, so incredibly sweet, Mark had almost been able to forget that it had been a sin.
    They weren’t husband and wife. She was underage. For all intents and purposes, they were breaking into God’s backyard. Sinning under his nose.
    But was it a sin when they loved each other? When they had vowed to stay together forever?
    Suppressing a twinge of guilt, Mark approached the garden door. The night was still; nearly 3:00 a.m., the street deserted. He saw that the latch was open. Glancing quickly over his shoulder, he sidled up to the door then ducked inside.
    â€œTara,” he called softly, securing the door behind him. Something scurried through the underbrush. A bird roosting in one of the trees screamed protest at the noise.
    Mark jumped at the sound, then moved farther into the garden. “Tara,” he called again, annoyed, “I’m not in the mood to play this game tonight.”
    One moment became several. A sudden unease rippled over him. He opened his mouth to call out again, when she stepped out from behind one of the banyan trees at the back of the garden, a petite figure dressed in white.
    Joy at seeing her warred with irritation. He felt as if she was toying with him, with his emotions. “What was that all about?” he demanded when he reached her. “For a moment I thought…something had happened to you. That you weren’t here.”
    He saw then that she had been crying. He brought a hand to her damp cheek. “What’s