Chapter 17

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

What was that guy doing? Heidi mused.

She'd caught a glimpse of his face. He didn't look familiar. Not like one of Rafferty's guys. However, he had hired a few new ones she hadn't met yet.

Why was he looking at his phone right now? Did he even have any service out here?

Stephen tensed beside her. He was clearly on edge—as he should be.

Her heart still pounded in her ears as she tried to anticipate what would happen.

The next instant, the man raised his phone higher as if searching for a signal.

Then he began to pace away.

It was too early to relax. However, she did blow out the breath she'd been holding.

This seemed like a good sign at least.

As the man kept pacing away, she and Stephen remained where they were.

Even after the man disappeared from sight, they stayed there. Unmoving. Silent. Nearly frozen.

"Shouldn't we run?" she whispered.

He moved away from her slightly and shook his head.

Then his gaze met hers. "I'm going to tell you something, and it's going to sound crazy."

"I don't know if things can sound any crazier than they already have been."

His gaze still remained tense. "Did you ever have to make any doctor's visits or medical appointments as a part of your job? Appointments for yourself?"

"I had a physical when I first got the job." She narrowed her eyes. "How is that important though?"

"They didn't have to put you to sleep or anything?"

"No, it was just a basic appointment. I don't understand why you're asking."

"Since you started working for Rafferty, have you had to have any type of procedures where you had to be put under?"

Her confusion only grew as she tried to think it through. "I haven't had any surgeries or anything." Then a memory hit her. "Except . . ."

"Except what?"

"I was sedated once for a root canal. A couple of years ago. But what does that have to do with any of this?"

"I'm afraid that one of the same trackers like Rafferty put in us might have been put in you also."

Her gut instantly tightened. "What?"

"I know it sounds unnerving."

"It doesn't just sound unnerving. It is unnerving."

"Do you remember being sore after the procedure? Or any unusual bruising?"

"They did tell me I started to flail. One of the hygienists had to press on my shoulders to hold me still so I didn't hurt myself or anyone else. You think it was something else, though, don't you?"

Stephen nodded grimly.

"Is that how those guys found us?" she asked as she absently rubbed her shoulders.

Was there something implanted beneath her skin?

"That's my best guess. I think the only reason that man didn't find us at our location is because this rock blocked any signal."

Her thoughts raced ahead. "But as soon as we leave this spot . . ."

He grimaced. "There's a good chance he'll find us."

Her gaze locked with his. "We can't let that happen."

"I know."

"So what are we going to do?" Her mind continued to race, to try to figure out a solution.

How else could they block this signal?

When she saw Stephen's gaze flicker to her shoulder, she realized exactly what he was thinking.

Nausea roiled inside her.

She turned as the contents of her stomach spewed from her mouth.

Stephen had sensed Heidi's stress even before she'd thrown up, and he wanted nothing more than to ease her mind. But that wasn't possible.

The situation was dire right now, especially if his suspicions were correct.

"I wouldn't ask you to do this unless I really felt our lives depended on it," he said.

"You want to cut this tracker out of me right here? Right now?" Heidi's voice pitched higher. "You don't even know for sure it's there."

"It's the only thing that makes sense. Can I see your right shoulder?"

She stared at him a moment before nodding. "Why not?"

She tugged the shoulder of her shirt down to allow Stephen to see her skin.

He pulled out his phone and used the flashlight so he could see better in the shadows.

He touched a small scar that almost looked like a freckle located in the same area where his tracker had been. Most people probably wouldn't notice it. They might think it looked like a small blemish or freckle even.

But Stephen knew exactly what it was.

"What do you see?" Her voice cracked.

"It looks like something was injected right here." He gently touched the spot on her shoulder.

"They can just inject these things?"

"The technology is amazing . . . and terrifying."

"I can't believe this." Her hand went to her stomach as if she might get sick again.

He squeezed her forearm, desperate to comfort her. "If we leave this inside you, then Rafferty—and whoever else has access to this tracker—will be able to follow you wherever you go."

"Why would he do this?"

"Because he thrives on control, and he doesn't care if he has anyone's permission."

She swallowed hard, looking unusually pale. "I'm not feeling so well."

Then she turned and threw up again.

He glanced away, giving her space.

He wished there was another solution. He really did. But there wasn't.

There was nothing he could do to make this better. Or less painful.

He feebly offered, "I'd give you a napkin, but I don't have one on me."

"It's okay." Heidi took a shaky breath, wiping her mouth with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.

"When I used to be a cage fighter, I always braced myself to get through each fight by controlling my breathing and picturing myself on a beach with no one else around."

"Wait—you were a cage fighter?" Surprise laced her voice.

"I turned to it to numb my pain. Anything seemed better than facing my future. I don't recommend it." He offered a feeble smile.

She smiled back before glancing at her shoulder again. "I need to get this thing out of me. How big is it?"

"Big enough to hurt coming out. It's not going to feel good," he warned her. "But I'll be as fast as I can."

She squeezed her eyes shut. "Don't tell me anything else. Just do it."

Stephen stared at her another moment, still hesitant to move forward.

Then he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a knife and a lighter to sterilize it with.

He wasn't looking forward to this.

But Rafferty had left them with no other choice.