No Ordinary Day by Tate, Harley (best large ereader .txt) 📕

Incapacitate so you have a chance to get away.” John stepped back and brought all of his effort into thrusting his knee forward and up. “All of your weight, got it?”

Emma mimicked his movements, jabbing the air with her knee.

“That’s good, but harder.” He ran her through the motion again and again until she understood how much force he expected. When she’d managed to put enough force into the movement that it threw her off-balance, he nodded in approval. “That should give you a fighting chance.”

“What about throwing a punch?” Emma wiped a sheen of sweat off her brow as her breathing slowed again.

John smiled. “I don’t mean to sound condescending, but any punch you throw will only waste your time. At your height and weight, you have to play dirtier, fight harder. Two men can box with even odds, but you’ll only lose.”

As reality sunk in, color faded from Emma’s cheeks. John didn’t know if anything he taught her would sink in. Even the newest combat arms Marine trained for over forty hours in hand-to-hand combat with the luxury of a rifle by their side.

Nine times out of ten, one of Dane’s crew would shoot first and never ask a single question. But if this little glimpse of training gave her confidence and allowed her to act without doubt, it might be worth it.

“Thank you for helping this morning and for last night,” Emma began. “I know Raymond isn’t your biggest fan, but —”

John waved her off. “He has his reasons.”

“I know, but after last night—”

“He’s never going to change his mind, Emma. Frankly I’m surprised you did.”

Emma regarded him for a moment, expression unreadable. “You saved my life more than once. I think you’ve proven that you don’t want to hurt me. Not if you can help it.”

She reached out and gave John’s shoulder a squeeze. The touch of her fingers sent a jolt of electricity straight through his skin. He didn’t know when he’d grown so fond of her. He frowned. “Dane is never going to stop looking for you.”

Emma dropped her hand. “At some point, doesn’t he have to?”

“Not until the government reneges on their deal or he’s dead. He sees this is his last opportunity.”

“For what?”

“Security. Success. What he’s always wanted.” John ran a hand over his hair. “The world has changed, Emma. The old rules no longer apply. He won’t be stealthy or secretive or try to take you out like an accident. He’ll come for you by whatever means necessary.”

He dropped his hand and let the truth slip out. “I don’t know if I’m enough. I don’t know if I can keep you safe.”

She smiled, not with happiness, but kindness. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m thankful that you’re here, but I know there are no guarantees.”

John forced himself to keep eye contact.

“If you ever change your mind and want to leave…If there’s someone out there waiting on you…”

“There’s no one.” John turned away, staring out at the wild grasses undulating under the weight of the wind. “Protecting you, Gloria, and Holly…even that damned dog. It’s given me purpose. I can’t explain it any better than that. I hope you understand.”

Emma reached out and wrapped her fingers around his hand. They stood together in the quiet of the morning, watching the sun crest over the line of trees until a deep voice, full of authority, cut across the lot.

“We should get moving.”

John turned. Raymond stood at the front of the Explorer, arms crossed over his barrel chest, biceps straining his T-shirt sleeves.

Emma leaned toward John. “I can talk to him if you want me to.”

“Let him think he’s in control if that makes everything a little easier.”

Emma pulled her hand away, whatever moment they shared, broken by the truth. She strode across the lot, back to Raymond and Gloria and the people she’d known years before John. He watched her go, unexpected emotions rising up inside his chest. If he didn’t get a handle on himself soon, he would never be able to fend Dane off.

Chapter Fifteen

Emma

Emma stared out at the monotonous landscape, eyes glazing over from exhaustion. The ever-present undercurrent of unease hung about the car like the smell of yesterday’s fast food, stale and heavy. Her eyes half-closed before she processed what she’d seen. Emma threw out her hand. “Stop the car.”

John slowed. “Why?”

She twisted around in the passenger seat. “I think we passed a gas pump back there at the T intersection.”

John threw the Jeep in reverse, backing up until Emma tapped the glass of the passenger-side window. “There, see it? It’s off the road a fair amount.” She chewed on her lip. “Is that someone’s farm? Maybe we shouldn’t.”

“We’re almost on fumes.” John handed the walkie-talkie to Emma. “It’s this or we run out.”

She frowned at the device as she clicked it on. “Raymond, are you there?” She released the button and waited. After a moment, the static cleared, and Raymond’s voice cut across the line. “Why did y’all stop?”

“There’s a gas pump.” Emma hesitated. “Looks old and mechanical. If it is, I can get it running.”

“Is anyone nearby?”

“No.”

John eased the Jeep off the road, bumping over gravel and weeds until he pulled up alongside the pump.

The walkie-talkie crackled again. “We’ll turn around and meet you there.”

Emma set the walkie-talkie on the dash. “He doesn’t sound happy.”

“He doesn’t have much of a choice.” John shifted into park and killed the engine. “It’s either get gas or leave all of the supplies we’re carrying behind.”

“I’ll take Tank for a little walk to stretch his legs.” Holly tried to sound cheerful, but the strain carried through her voice.

Emma smiled as she opened the passenger-side door. “Thanks, Holly.” She hopped out and crossed behind the vehicle to the pump. Rust spiderwebbed across the chipped blue enamel paint and a crack sliced the glass covering the display, but it didn’t appear worse for wear.

“Can you get it working?” John peered over her shoulder.

“I think so. All mechanical pumps before the sixties are pretty