Anthony didn't regret a thing after having sex with Cassandra. He knew it wasn't just lust, there was something else about her that captivated him. He'd been locked up for years and in some strange way, so had she, only she didn't realize it. Anthony had been a prisoner of the state while she'd been a prisoner of her father. Cassandra's father shipped her off to boarding schools across the world, away from her loved ones, and that alone determined Anthony's thoughts on her freedom.

Although they came from complete different backgrounds, he could tell that she understood him and saw him for who he truly was. Sure, he thought, she'd been difficult, but her soul called him. Anthony already decided he would claim her when the rocky road ahead of them calmed. He wanted her, in every way, and he knew she'd accept him.

The boss would have a conniption fit when he found out about their affair. Anthony's job was to protect her, hide her from the men who wanted to kill her, and when the true culprits were caught, he'd get a pardon for his crimes.

As he fried the morning's catch, Cassandra swayed in front of him. Anthony grinned at her flirtatious body language but cursed himself for being stupid and careless. It wasn't the sex he cursed himself about, but he took her right out on the dock where they could have been targets like sitting ducks.

She set the table and microwaved a bag of frozen vegetables. There wasn't much food in the house, but they weren't starving. As Anthony placed the fish on a serving dish, Cassandra wrapped her arms around him from behind and cupped his groin. "Not now," he complained and pushed her away. Blood rushed to the area, but he needed to be on guard to protect her. Cassandra batted her eyelashes and looked down. She looked hurt and he couldn't handle upsetting her. He reached for her hand and pulled her close to him. "It's not that I don't want you. I just need to be more careful. They're still out there and I won't let anything happen to you."

Cassandra rested her head on his shoulder for a second, then reached up and kissed his cheek. "You once told me I'd be begging you to fuck me senseless, and you were right. I get it though and appreciate it." He squeezed her tight and kissed her forehead. "Just know, I'm not done begging yet." They both laughed, then continued preparing for dinner.

The flip phone vibrated on the counter. Cassandra threw him a concerned look as he leaped forward to answer it. "Yeah," he said.

"You need to leave now," the boss informed him. "Their plane just landed." He huffed, sounding annoyed like someone didn't report to him fast enough. "If that's not bad enough, FBI agents down in Mexico didn't find you on that plane and they now assume you're still in the area."

"Holy shit," Anthony shouted. He turned his back to Cassandra and looked out the glass door as he spoke. "Where should we go?"

"There's an abandoned warehouse," the boss told him and gave him the address and directions. "I think we might need to revert to Plan B. This will all be over soon, and I have men working on the arrangements now."

Anthony knew what Plan B was, but knew it was best not to mention it to Cassandra. She wouldn't understand and now that she tugged on his heartstrings, he wasn't sure he wanted to continue with the plan. He didn't have a choice but to agree. "On it," he choked on the words. "I'll alert you when we get there." Anthony flipped the phone closed and shoved it in his pockets.

"What's happening," she questioned.

"We don't have much time. Grab something to throw this food into, gather as many things as you can in five minutes; food, toiletries, blankets."

Cassandra dropped to her knees and fumbled through plastic ware in the cupboard. "Are we going back to the basement?"

Anthony ran into the garage to grab her phone and came back seconds later. "No, although I'm not sure of the new place's condition so we'll take as many things as we can, but we have to hurry."

While she went off to gather belongings, Anthony turned her cell phone on and checked her GPS. Everything checked out. He left the phone on and shoved it underneath the couch. Cassandra walked by with two garbage bags full of necessities. "What are you doing?"

"They'll be here soon," he informed her. He could see the bewilderment look on her face and continued. "Don't ask me how I know, instincts I guess. But, when they track your cell phone, they'll think you're here and will waste time searching the property. It'll give us a little time to get away."

Anthony grabbed the bags with one hand, and her with the other. They raced out to the garage and Cassandra opened the car door. "No wait," he suggested. "I don't think anyone will look for this car," he said pointing to the BMW. He threw the bags in the trunk while Cassandra ran back inside the house for the keys. When she returned, they jumped in and backed out of the garage. A remote control inside the Beamer shut the door after them.

He drove down the secluded road and within minutes, heard tires crunching on the gravel. "Son of a bitch," he screamed and pointed to headlights in the distance. "There they are."

Cassandra cried. Anthony made a wide turn down a service road and did a U-turn to face the main road. He turned the lights off the car, but kept it idling, waiting for their escape. Sure enough, a large black van sped past headed toward the lake house. "Who are they," she breathed, as if they could hear her.

"I don't know," Anthony answered, "but I don't plan on finding out." As soon as he knew the coast was clear, he put the car in drive and took off. He prayed the detour he set up would work for a little while.

"I let myself forget," Cassandra bawled. "Being at the lake house was like being on vacation. But, they're back and trying to kill me."

"Not gonna happen," Anthony said and meant it. They arrived at an abandoned warehouse. She glanced around as he pulled into a back alleyway. Anthony could see the disappointment in her face as if she thought Plan B would be nicer than the basement. He frowned when he thought about it. The boss discussed Plan B with him while he was still in prison. It wasn't anything luxurious, quite the opposite, and he knew the outcome would put a damper on their newfound relationship.

They each grabbed a bag, along with the pillows and blankets, and snuck into the building. Anthony flipped a switch but there wasn't any electricity. She stood close to him. Anthony found an office with a large broken window. It would provide a little light, just like the night before. He tried to smile, knowing they could get through this.

Cassandra shrugged. Living on the run had become her new way of life and she grew used to it. "Not as dirty as before," she said sarcastically as she ran her finger along the abandoned furniture.

Anthony admired her cooperation. She didn't fight or try to get away from him. She got it now, he thought to himself. He pulled her close and kissed her. "I'm hungry," he said as their mouths separated.

She laid blankets on the floor, then opened the fish container. The stench burned their noses, but they ate it anyway. It hadn't been more than a few hours since he cooked it. Anthony reached into the bag for a can of soda for them to share. He didn't know how long they'd be there and he wanted to make sure their supplies lasted.

After swallowing some food, he reached into his pocket for the flip phone and texted the boss. "We're safe in the warehouse."

"Alright. I'll be in touch."