Page 13 of Chasing Hope
‘Hope, please hear me out.’ Hope clamped her mouth shut at her dad’s pleading tone. Why did everything between them have to end up in an argument? Because her dad refused to see things from her perspective, that’s why. Hope crossed her arms and her glare softened as she observed her dad’s hunched profile. She loved him so much, and the fights that kept occurring between them saddened her. No matter what she did, he refused to accept the fact that she was now a grown-ass woman. Brian lifted his bulk from the chair and clumped to stand beside the glass balcony door. A tired sigh ripped out of him and Hope’s breath shuddered. She did not mean to cause him distress. But why did it always end up this way?
‘Dad, it’s about time you accept the hard truth. Tracking down a story can sometimes get tricky.’ Hope was putting it mildly. Sometimes things could get real dangerous. ‘It comes with the territory.’
‘Mumbai is a notorious city, Hope. It’s just been over a year since you moved back to India. I understand you have lived alone most of your adult life and now living with your parents could seem difficult. I’m not saying I don’t want you to go out. All I’m requesting is that you don’t go out looking for trouble.’ He turned around to face Hope, a sad smile finding its way onto his face. ‘Because trouble always has a way of finding you.’
***
Trembling with fear, Hope wheeled around and cut through the winding lane. Breathing hard, her heart threatened to pounce out of her chest. She stole an alarmed look over her shoulder and bolted ahead as the two thugs closed in on her. The roads were deserted and even if she would scream no one would hear her cries over the angry roar of the seas.
‘Serves you right for being a stubborn mule.’ Hope cursed herself for her hardheadedness. Defying her fate, like always, she went in search of some other information on Himesh that could be used against him. The most pathetic part of it all was that despite poking around for hours, she’d come up with nothing.
Zilch. Nada.
Her source had given her a legit tip and Hope went on a wild goose chase without informing anyone. Not even her friends knew that she had escaped her home again that night. Pulling her friends into the crossfire was no longer acceptable to her. Once bitten, twice shy. Everything had been going according to plan.
Plan. Hope scoffed. Why did impulse control her every thought and action? If only she paused once in a while to think.
‘She’s there,’ a harsh voice sounded, too close for comfort.
She couldn't be seen. Panic seized her muscles, causing her legs to throb. How long was it since she’d been running? Damn, Himesh’s hired goons. Did they have to venture out for a piss break at 1am? As fate would have it, one of them chose that exact shrub she was crouched behind. He picked up her scent like a bulldog and howled as he spotted her. His dick was not the last thing she wanted to see before dying. On that note, Hope took off in a flash. Like the hounds of hell were at her heels, she ran for her life. If she got caught, all her efforts would be in vain.
One thing was for sure. If she got out of this alive, she would take up fitness seriously. Panting like a dog, Hope pushed herself to work her aching feet.
Determined to make it through this alive she sliced her way into a blackened alley. Blinded by the sudden darkness her foot twisted in a pothole and she lurched forward.
‘Oww—’ Hope’s agonising cry jammed in her throat as her body slammed into a wall.
‘Shh…’ Hope’s heart convulsed as a strong hand slapped over her mouth. Certain she would pass out in fear, Hope had to do something, and quickly. Despite the horrific pain in her foot, Hope flailed and kicked furiously. She clawed desperately, but her strength was no match for her assailant.
‘Quit scuffling.’ His breath fanned the strands of hair at her forehead. Her eyes, wild and frightened, adjusted to the darkness. Sweat beaded her forehead. ‘Shh… stay still. They will move along soon enough.’My God, that voice.
So deep. So strong.
The pulse at her neck danced to each throbbing beat of her heart.
Hope shivered as the wind swept through the narrow lane moaning like an impetuous lover. A strong arm twirled around her waist, picked her up and lugged her into the darkened corner. Hope squeezed her eyes shut. Tall buildings loomed over them casting shifting shadows. Silence engulfed them. The strength of his body enveloped her. His heart sturdy and rhythmic beat at her back. A powerful intuition told her that he was here to help. Hope mumbled something behind his hand. He grunted and inched closer, the coarse hair on his cheek grazing the side of her face.
‘I’m going to ease my hand off. If you scream, you’re on your own.’ If he wished her harm, he would have done so already. Going with her instincts, Hope nodded at his warning. His hand slowly fell away from her mouth but the arm around her waist persisted in its strong grip.
As soon as he let go, Hope sucked in several greedy breaths and willed her heart to stop sprinting. ‘Who are you and what are you doing here?’ Cautious, Hope lowered her voice to a whisper.
‘Chasing you.’ His voice was a low growl. Hope hissed as he dropped her to her feet. She stood on one leg, easing the pressure off her injured foot.
‘Chasing me? Whatever do you mean?’ In reply, he withdrew his hand from her waist and slowly turned her around to face him. As she spun around, so did her head. Her next breath was punched out of her chest. Eyes deep and black like obsidian possessed the power to halt her heartbeats.
‘Jesus Christ, is that really you?’
‘The one and only “Masked Man”.’ A robust chuckle bound out of his chest. Dark eyes flashed behind his eyepatch. The olive-green of his eyepatch was the only colour he was carrying. The colour olive-green signified perception, empathy and humankind. Hope had done her research. Everything else on him was jet-black. Hope narrowed her eyes. Submerged in the darkness she couldn’t make out much other than his broad and tall profile. Except for those raven-black eyes. Their eyes connected and Hope’s body burst into flames. It both frightened and intrigued her. The heat in those eyes could melt snow capped mountains.
Determined to show him that she wasn’t witless, Hope drew in a vigorous breath to set right her rattled heartbeats. The man helped people. He was practically a saint. Obviously, he wouldn’t cause her any harm. On that encouraging note, Hope extended her hand towards him. ‘Hi, I’m HopePereira and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.’The corners of her mouth turned up. He clicked his tongue.
‘I’d hold off on the thought, if I were you,’ he said, reaching out to clasp her hand.
The moment their hands connected; a surge of current shot up her spine. He might have sensed it too because he hissed and snatched his hand away. The pulse in her wrist thrashed around, still reeling from the brief touch. So much for getting her breathing under control. Overwhelmed by his mysterious aura, Hope cupped her hands together to control her trembling.
‘You know it isn’t safe for a woman to roam the streets at night seeking to meet with danger.’
‘I have my reasons.’
