Tainted Cure (The Rememdium Series Book 1) by Ashley Fontainne Page B

it so the light from the moon made sparkles shimmer across the seat back, she thought about Benito. They had a wicked argument before she left about his decision not to join her in Arizona. Business commitments, he’d told her when she pleaded earlier in the week. When she pushed the issue and continued to beg, Benito yelled at her, which he never did, and stormed out of her bedroom.
    The ugly conversation had been three days ago and not a word had been exchanged between them since. Benito didn’t even come by her wing of the manse to say goodbye. Tears formed in her eyes at the memories, sliding down her hot cheeks. Brushing them away, Maria set her jaw and forced herself to concentrate her thoughts on visiting with Teresa.
    After a jarring landing, the plane taxied up to the gate and stopped. Maria was in the first row of seats and the stewardess handed her the carry-on bag, smiling and wishing Maria a pleasant stay in Phoenix.
    Once through customs, Maria entered the main terminal. Her anger at the situation with Benito disappeared. Less than ten feet away stood a man dressed in a chauffer’s uniform holding up a sign reading, “Maria Alvarado – Mi Cielo” in front of him. Her Benito loved her in his own way, and made sure she was taken care of and arrived in style. Maria smiled and waved to the nice-looking stranger. The man walked over and took the bag from her shoulder.
    “Ms. Alvarado, I’m Gregory, your driver for the evening. Your limo is waiting outside. Follow me.”
    A wave of dizziness made Maria’s vision blur for a second. Fearing she would faint, she reached out her hand and grabbed the man’s forearm. “How far? I’m afraid the flight left me feeling a bit off. Guess the excitement of my first experience in the air made me a little woozy.”
    “Do you need to sit down? Or, maybe I should get you a wheelchair?”
    “No, I’ll be fine if you’ll just let me hang on to you while we walk. Okay?”
    Gregory nodded and Maria clung to his arm while they exited the terminal. When they reached the doors leading to the parking area, Maria was soaked in sweat. Burning pain radiated from her chest, extending to her head, legs, and arms. Her thighs felt heavy and arms clunky and useless. She didn’t even have a chance to admire the black limo idling at the curb. By the time they reached it, Maria turned and threw up all over the sidewalk.
    “Here, ma’am, have a seat. There’s water in the small fridge to your left. I’ll get you to your destination quickly.”
    Unable to do anything but nod in agreement, Maria tumbled into the cool leather, her body splaying out across the entire back seat. She fumbled with her purse, trying to get to her cell to call Teresa. The bag slipped off the slick seat and landed on the floorboard out of reach. She heard the driver close the door, shutting out the murmurs of grossed-out travelers who’d witnessed her vomit.
    Trying one more time to grab her purse, Maria stopped short as the pain intensified. She was having trouble breathing. Her chest felt tight and heavy, like someone was sitting on it. Panic welled up inside her at the realization she was thousands of miles from home and was at the mercy of a complete stranger.
    The driver started up the car and she could feel the vehicle move as he guided it away from the curb. Grabbing on to the edge of the seat, Maria tried to sit up. Another wave of dizziness made the task impossible.
    “Please, I think I need a doctor. Take me to the closest hospital? I can’t…seem…to…breathe.”
    “Not a problem, ma’am. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
    The tone in the man’s voice was cold, eerie. All wrong. Fear spread through Maria’s chest at the same time her limbs started to convulse.
    Then, everything went black.

     
    “Sure is a shame to let such a hot piece go to waste. I should’ve sampled some of her before you slit her throat. Then again, she’s only been dead less than an hour. She might still be