Dying to Run Read Online Free PDF Page B

the outside. I sprung off the bed, wondering why I was more upset with Carlos’s description of Jesse than the fact that I was being imprisoned by Panetti and Ramirez. Probably because if Jesse really was some womanizer I’d not only have my heart broken, it would also stop beating when nobody rescued me and Ramirez tortured and killed me for entertainment.
    I paced the small room, hoping my dad wasn’t really on his way here and searching for a weapon of some kind. There was nothing besides the bed and a bare light bulb illuminating the grimy space. No nightstand. No closet. No windows. No hope of escape but through that door and Foul Breath. Maybe I could take the bed frame apart and have something to whack Carlos with. I bent down to examine it, sitting back on my heels within seconds. I’d need a screwdriver.
    Standing, I rubbed my arms. If only I’d grabbed a jacket. I almost laughed at myself, like Damon would’ve paused my kidnapping so I could get some extra clothing and toiletries for the trip. I debated climbing under the dusty comforter but wanted to be ready if Jesse came. I mean, when Jesse came.
    Quiet whispering outside my door and the door handle turning had me running towards it. “Jesse?” I cried out, already aching to feel his arms around me again.
    The door flew open and Damon strutted in. “Not Jesse, someone you want to see much, much more.”
    I scurried away from him and around the side of the bed. “The only place I want to see you is on wanted posters.”
    He grinned, slowly backing me into a corner. It was unbelievable that I’d once found his strawberry-blond hair and lanky body attractive. Those bright blue eyes that used to sparkle at me had an uglier leer than Carlos a few minutes ago.
    “Come on, Cassie, you wanted me more than Jesse and we both know it.”
    “I always wanted Jesse more. I just talked myself into dating you because I thought you were a good guy.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “I am a good guy.” He reached for me. “Come here and I’ll show you how good.”
    I ducked under his arm, jumped onto the bed, and scurried across it. Damon caught my foot. I slammed onto the bed, dust puffing from the comforter and coating my nose and mouth. Damon hauled me on my stomach back towards him. He grabbed my waist and flipped me over onto my back then jumped on top of me. The breath rushed out of me in a pop. Hope vanished almost as loudly. Where was Jesse? How could I fight off Damon who probably outweighed me by a hundred pounds?
    Damon grinned as he pinned my arms above my head with his hands and pressed my body into the squishy mattress with his torso. I tried to fight, but my efforts didn’t come off as much more than a squirm.
    “I’d forgotten how beautiful you are, Cassie. Even though it’s your fault I spent two weeks in jail I’ll forgive you for a few kisses.” He winked, leaning ever closer. “And maybe if you’re really good to me, I’ll talk Ramirez out of killing you.”
    I turned my head to the side. His lips grazed my cheek and landed in my ear. “I was hoping to land you in prison for life,” I spat out. “You’re going to have worse than that if Jesse catches you touching me.”
    Damon’s belly laugh slammed into my own abdomen. “Jesse isn’t stupid enough to come anywhere near here. Ramirez knows Jesse’s been lying to all of us. It’s just a matter of time before he kills him.” He shook his head. “You heard what Ramirez said, you’re going to die, Cassie. A slow, painful death. No one but me has a hope of protecting you.”
    The words hurt more than his body crushing me into the soft mattress. I’d thought I had trouble breathing before, now I was gasping for air. Where was Jesse? He was the one I wanted protecting me, not Damon, but how much longer would Ramirez let Panetti protect him? My eyes got damp at the very thought of Jesse dying. “You really think Ramirez will kill Jesse and me?”
    Damon’s face softened. “Unless I