Running Blind Read Online Free Page A

to face the speaker and regretting it immediately. Lights flashed in front of her eyes, the world spun and she was falling. Firm hands wrapped aroundher upper arms, supporting her until it settled back into place.
    â€œThanks.” She took a step back, looking up into a rugged, handsome face. Nikolai’s face? It had to be. The voice, the gentle strength of the hands—those were things she’d never forget.
    â€œYou can thank me by sitting down. I don’t think a woman with a fractured skull should be walking around.”
    She didn’t argue as she was urged down into a chair against the wall outside her room.
    â€œBetter?” Nikolai crouched in front of her, and she could just make out dark hair and striking features. High cheekbones. A strong jaw.
    â€œYes. Thanks.”
    â€œYou’re supposed to be in bed resting.”
    â€œAnd you’re supposed to be on your way back to Mexico to find Magdalena.” Even as she said it, she knew how ungrateful she sounded. He’d saved Jenna’s life, and she had no right to ask him for more. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I meant to say.”
    â€œNo apology necessary. I said I would go, and I would have, but Border Patrol won’t let me back into Mexico.”
    â€œThen, I’ll go.” She started to rise, but he put a hand on her arm, holding her in place.
    â€œYou know that won’t work, Jenna.”
    â€œIt might. I just need my passport. Do you have it?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood. I’ll get a nurse to take out this IV, and I’ll be on my way.” She struggled to her feet, and this time he didn’t try to stop her.
    â€œTo do what? Border Patrol isn’t any more likely to let you cross the border than it was me.” His voice was gentle, and Jenna blinked back tears she’d been refusing for hours.
    â€œIf they won’t, I’ll find another way to get across.”
    â€œDo you really think I’m going to let you make an attempt at an illegal border crossing?”
    â€œYou did your job, Nikolai. You got me out of Mexico. What I do now is up to me.”
    â€œNot if you aren’t thinking clearly.”
    â€œI’m thinking plenty clearly.”
    â€œTelling yourself that won’t make it true and throwing yourself back into danger won’t save your friend.”
    â€œI have to at least try.” She stepped to the door, her stomach roiling, stars dancing in front of her eyes.
    â€œYou’ve got a fractured skull and you can’t see…”
    â€œMy vision is coming back. The doctors said it should be completely normal in a few hours.”
    â€œJen, you can barely walk.”
    â€œI’m fine!” But she wasn’t. Not fine enough to take another step let alone attempt to walk across the border into Mexico.
    Nikolai must have sensed her defeat. He slid an arm around her waist, supporting her as they walked back into the room.
    She dropped onto the bed, blinking hard to bring Nikolai into sharper focus. “I just want her to be okay.”
    â€œI know.” He pulled a chair over and sat across from her.
    â€œIf she’s not—”
    â€œYou’ll go on. That’s how life is.”
    â€œYou make it sound as if it’s a done deal. Do you know something I don’t?”
    â€œAll I know is that your friend is still missing. I called the Mexican police less than an hour ago, and they still haven’t located her.”
    â€œBut they’re looking?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œThey’ve searched the building where I found you, but it’s empty. The Mexican Panthers cleared everything out before the police arrived.”
    â€œYou’ve mentioned them before.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œThe Mexican Panthers. I’d never heard of them before today.”
    â€œConsider yourself fortunate. They’re one of the most notorious drug cartels in