Never Look Back Read Free

comforted her.
    Silence crossed between them. Rob often joked that if they didn’t meet anyone special, they should just get married. She could still taste the drunken kiss they shared two years ago at a New Year’s Eve party. She'd always have a soft spot for Rob.
    “You'll find twenty-year-olds who can do a better job than me.”
    “Not everybody has that sweet smile like you.”
    A grin played on her lips. “Thanks for cheering me up. You’re a true friend.”
    “I’m your evil twin,” he teased.
    “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I gotta go.”
    “Are you coming for the holiday dinner tonight?”
    "Sorry," Dana said, “I don’t think I’m in any mood to celebrate, but I’ll be in touch.”
    “You hang in there. I’m here for you. Merry Christmas, my friend, and let’s get together before the New Year.”
    “Merry Christmas.”
    Dana hung up and clutched her purse. Fingering her locket necklace, she eyed her family photo. "I'm going to find you, Mom." She slipped into her boots, exited her apartment, and headed for the elevator. Perhaps a walk in Central park would help her clear her head. It felt nice to be alone, with nobody pressuring her to change clothes for the runway.
    “Ms. Simmons, this came in for you this morning.” A bellboy handed her a medium-sized box.
    “Thank you.” She removed the card and read it.
     
    Dear Dana,
    Have you ever dreamed of finding someone or something that you thought you could never have? Well, now’s your chance.
    Happy Holidays.
     
    Heart pounding, Dana glanced around. Is this a joke?
    “Do you know who sent this?” she asked the bellboy.
    “I was in the bathroom and noticed it was here when I came back.”
    Dana examined the tag labeled Ginny's Delights . Since when would someone send her a fruitcake for Christmas?
    “Can I leave this here? I’ll pick it up when I come back.”
    “Sure.” The bellboy tucked it beneath the counter. “Have a nice day.”
    “Thank you.”
    She took a morning stroll. People walked passed her and didn’t recognize her. Living in Manhattan made her used to walking. The Christmas songs depressed her. All she wanted to do was to clear her head and find answers.

Chapter 3
    A lady fingered the shawl wrapped around her neck as she crossed the street. A cab driver screeched in front of her and flipped her off. She entered the church and stepped inside the confession box. Kneeling down, she made the sign of the cross.
    “What can I do for you?”
    “Father... I can't keep hiding.”
    "What are you hiding from?"
    The woman lit a cigarette and took a puff.
    "You can't smoke here."
    "I've wasted twenty years of my life." She wept. "I've hurt my family."
    "God always gives us hope."
    "I can never look back and erase what I did, but today I saw how beautiful my daughter has become and I know she deserves the truth."
    The door yanked open and a pair of hands covered her mouth. Then all she saw was black.
    ***
    Crossing the street at Madison Square, Dana searched for a good place to have lunch. Her walk had turned into an hour-long trek, and she felt dehydrated and hungry. Stomach growling, Dana dug into her purse.
    A hand clung to her arm. Cigarette smoke blocked her view.
    “Good afternoon, Dana Simmons.”
    Dana took a step back. Her disguise had failed her. The man stood about four inches shorter than her. Soft curls slightly covered his face, and sunglasses concealed his eyes. “I’m not working if it’s an autograph that you want.”
    He gave a slight grin, exposing his yellow teeth, and pulled down the zipper of his leather jacket down.
    Dana eyed the gun tucked between his high-waisted jeans above his beer belly. She tried to remain calm as her palms began to moisten. People were strolling around unaware of what was going on. As she stood there, all Dana could hear was her father's words, Find her. Now drenched with nerves, Dana shivered. Nobody knew where she went today. With her father gone, who will come looking for her? No time to