Betrayals of the Heart Read Free Page A

her shoulder in one more attempt to get his attention, and, if she was lucky, a phone number.
    Still nothing. She huffed down a breath and decided he was either gay or dead.
    “I sent her over to the car rental desk. Like I said, she was in a real hurry to leave. I tell you, nothing could make me tackle this weather behind the wheel of a car, especially with a little one in tow.” She paused to see if he was listening.
    He was looking in her direction, but staring right through her, his eyes scanning the flight information billboard. She forced back a knot of disappointment and pointed across the rows of seats to the rental area. His attention followed her slim manicured finger, and then he turned his back and stalked off without a thank you or another glance.
    “Jerk,” she said, shaking her head and readjusting her shirt.
     
    ***
    Makayla could feel the sweat forming on her brow even though the temperature had dipped down into the thirties and the airport appeared to be trying to save money on their heating bill. Thank goodness she’d packed an extra coat for Michael.
    As she helped him slip it on, her eyes drifted to the windows and the dark clouds beyond. Would she be able to maneuver an unfamiliar vehicle in such horrible weather? There had to be another way—a way that wouldn’t endanger Michael so much.
    After a few moments of hesitation, she decided she had no other choice. Picking up the signed contract papers off the seat next to Michael, she turned around and stepped toward the counter. The papers crinkled within her tight grip.
    A big man, twice her size in a long trench coat and sporting a bad attitude, pushed passed her to the counter demanding service.
    Stunned, she froze, mouth open.
    “I need a car now,” he said, shoving his dark wavy hair away from his face. Even from an awkward angle, his blue eyes captivated her. Their bright hue was startling from beneath his long dark lashes. Throw in his rude brass behavior and she almost bolted. What if he was working for Steven?
    Only her dire circumstances gave her the courage to hold her ground. Well, that and the fact if he were working for Steven, he would be addressing her not the clerk. Sticking her hand into her purse, she searched for the mace she’d bought for protection. If she had to, she’d use it.
    The man stood a good five inches taller than her, well-coordinated for his size and far too handsome for his own good. That one fact, took him out of the running for one of Steven’s goons. Steven would never higher a man better looking than himself.
    She collected her scattered thoughts, a fleeting moment of why he might be in such a hurry zipping by. No reason in the world mattered. Nothing gave him the right to push his way to the front. She might not have been standing right at the counter, but anyone with half a brain could tell she was next.
    “Is there anyone back there?” he bellowed, directing his voice toward the open doorway just behind the counter. He never even acknowledged her presence.
    “Coming!” a voice called through the opened doorway.
    Just as the man opened his mouth to yell again, the large cheerful woman Makayla spoke to minutes before emerged. “Just needed to check our inventory. Sorry for the wait.”
    “What do you mean check your inventory?” His voice held a threatening pitch. Makayla clutched the can of mace in her purse tighter and took a few steps back.
    “What I mean is, we have one more sports utility vehicle capable of traveling in this storm.” She smiled reassuringly. “But you’ll need chains.”
    Makayla released the can of mace and almost fell to the floor. Chains? Their last chance of escape was about to be torn right from her hands by a pompous jerk and the fact she was clueless about chains. What was she going to do? She couldn’t stay in the airport.
    Then it hit her. She had not come all this way, planned all this time and took all these chances to let some stranger destroy it all.
    “Sir,