Keep Me Safe Read Online Free PDF

started out at a brisk walk, watching her surroundings very carefully for any sign of her attacker.
    It was minutes until the library closed when she walked in, the wave of cool air welcome on her face. She shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of the librarian, but then remembered she had dried blood on her face and she likely sported a huge bruise as well. She probably looked like a domestic violence victim. That would explain the pity in the eyes of the older woman.
    Maybe that would play to her advantage and the librarian would let her use the phone to make her call.
    Ramie quickly accessed the Internet on one of the public computers and did a search for Caleb Devereaux. He now owned a security firm, formed in the year after his sister’s kidnapping. She had no way of knowing whether he could be reached through it or not but all she could do was try. At the very least maybe she could get a message to him. But how would he contact her back? She had no number, no lodging, no way for him to return a call.
    She closed her eyes as despair swept over her. It was all or nothing. One shot. If she couldn’t reach him, she had no idea what she’d do. If she couldn’t reach him, her death was inevitable.
    Quickly committing the phone number to memory, she sucked up her courage and hesitantly walked toward the desk where the librarian stood.
    â€œMa’am,” Ramie said quietly. “Would you be willing to let me make a phone call? I have nothing. My purse and everything in it was stolen.”
    â€œOh, you poor dear! Is that what happened to your face? Were you mugged?”
    Ramie nodded, not feeling one ounce of remorse for the lie.
    The librarian pulled out her personal cell phone and extended it over the counter.
    â€œWhy don’t you go right over there in the corner where there’s a place to sit and make your call,” the librarian said kindly. “We close in just a few minutes, but I’ll stay open until you’re finished.”
    â€œThank you so much,” Ramie said fervently. “You’re very kind. I appreciate this.”
    The woman smiled and then motioned for Ramie to go.
    Ramie punched in the number as she walked toward the chair in the corner. Her entire body ached and she was so tired from all the sleepless nights that she could barely remain upright.
    A somber-sounding male voice answered on the second ring.
    â€œDevereaux Security,” he clipped out.
    â€œI need to speak with Caleb Devereaux,” Ramie said. “It’s a matter of life or death.”
    She flinched, thinking how cliché that sounded. Everyone who wanted to get a call through would say the exact same thing. And well, this was a security firm she was calling. Every call they received was likely a matter of life or death.
    â€œYour name?”
    The man sounded bored, as if he did indeed field such calls every day. Fear gripped Ramie’s throat. God, don’t let this man blow her off.
    â€œRamie St. Claire,” she said, shaking so hard her teeth were chattering, making her words nearly unintelligible. Now of all times she needed absolute clarity. She clamped her jaw shut and spoke through tightly gritted teeth. “As I said it’s imperative that I speak to him. If you tell him my name, he’ll take my call.”
    â€œHold please.”
    Boring elevator music flooded the line and Ramie sat there, waiting, hoping. Praying. Dying a little more with each passing second.
    The wait went on for several minutes. She glanced nervously up at the desk where the librarian was obviously waiting for her to finish. She was staring expectantly at Ramie, which only served to make Ramie more anxious. Despair crept over her shoulders, weighing her down as she realized no one was going to answer. She started to pull the phone down to quietly end the call when a different male voice came over the line.
    â€œRamie? Is that you? Where are you? Are you all