Page 83 of The Vigilante's Lover

The frigid water bites into my skin. I feel like I’m breaking through ice, even though the temperature is well above freezing.

Despite the recent rains, the river isn’t terribly deep, and I almost scrape the bottom with my chest and belly before moving upward toward the light.

I’m actually grateful for the cold as my body slows down, as all the cuts and contusions from Paulson blast like fire as I sluice through the water.

The splatter when I break through the surface is like a million brilliant gems. The fact that I am alive and able to swim through the river weeds and debris blows away any pain.

I’m going to get to Mia.

I clutch the Blackphone in my hand, glad Sam thinks of everything and the electronics are protected.

I pause in the reeds beneath the bridge, watching for any sign that someone is coming.

Paulson will want to pull off and look for me.

Sam, if he’s any sort of friend at all, will recognize I’m not interested in their plan and will put him off.

My feet bump against the river bottom and I drag myself out of the water. I’m wearing nothing but pajama bottoms and shoes. The only solution for the cold and my lack of protection is to keep moving.

I jerk the Vigilante watch from my wrist. I am about to chuck it back in the river so they can’t track me, but then I pause.

It’s another way to communicate if I need to.

I decide not to burn the bridge I jumped from, and instead of tossing the watch, I fasten it to a tree where I can find it again later if I need it.

I take off in a fast run, away from the interstate and through the dense trees. Everything in the immediate vicinity is woods, lining the shores of the Potomac.

I spot a telephone pole and run beneath the wires where the ground is easier to manage. I know I’ll get to some sort of landmark soon enough where I can contact Colette. It should be the last call on this Blackphone, although I know how to reach her from memory.

The wind blasts my face, and I begin to relax into the run as my muscles warm up. I feel better than I have in a long time despite the fact that I’m half-naked, running in dress shoes, and have nothing on me but a secret phone.

I’m getting closer to Mia.

I’m going to walk away from all this. Sutherland. Jovana. The network. I don’t need it. I don’t want it.

I want her.

We can figure out what sort of life we want to have. We can do anything. Live on a boat. Or maybe not, with her parents’ history.

Get a place in Paris. Or the Swiss Alps. Venice. Or just travel.

As long as I’m with her.

I approach a highway. I cut alongside it, staying in the trees. When I feel I’ve put enough distance between myself and the bridge, I stop running and let my breath slow down. Time to contact Colette.

I run the phone through several encryption channels and dial her number.

It immediately cuts out, no answer.

I frown. Where is she?

I take off in another jog, worry nipping at my heels.

Sam said she had located Mia. I wonder if someone has come after them.

I don’t know who had Mia to begin with, how she was found.

Anything that happened to her after I left the hotel is completely unknown.

Those Vigilantes assured me she’d be safe, but if Colette had to track her down, that means she needed tracking down.

Where the hell has she been all day?

And where are they now?

I run faster.