Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“I want you here.”
“Okay.”
We settled in facing each other, and after a few moments I said, “It’s my fault this is happening to you, and I’m so sorry.”
“How is it your fault?”
“I brought you along when I went to authenticate the journal, because I didn’t have enough confidence to go and talk to people on my own. That ended up painting a target on your back, and if anything ends up happening to you—”
My voice wavered, and he cupped my cheek. “Nothing’s going to happen to either of us. I’ll make sure of it. And this isn’t your fault. There was no way to predict any of this.”
“Still, though…”
“Nope. No blaming yourself.”
“But you could be safe at home right now.”
“I’m glad we’re together, Andy. I couldn’t stand it if you were alone while dealing with all of this.”
I whispered, “You really are the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”
Sam ran his thumb over my cheekbone in a gentle caress and surprised me by asking, “Can I kiss you?” My heart began to race, and I nodded.
Electricity charged the air around us as his fingertips slid to my chin and gently tilted it upward. His lips parted, and his eyes slid shut as he leaned in. It was as if time became elastic, that moment of anticipation between one breath and the next stretching and expanding in super slow motion…
And then he kissed me, and it was tender and undemanding and perfect. It stirred up emotions I didn’t even have names for, and it left me breathless.
Sam drew me into his arms, and I settled in with my head on his chest. I felt safe and secure, which seemed miraculous after the way this day had started.
CHAPTER 12
SAM
Andy seemed shy when we woke up together the next day. He shot a quick glance in my direction as he mumbled, “Good morning,” and then he retreated to the bathroom. When he returned a few minutes later, he smelled like toothpaste and his hair was neatly combed.
In the meantime, I’d gotten dressed and made some truly awful coffee. I gave up on it after a sip and told him, “There’s a diner at the truck stop. Want to head over there and grab some breakfast?”
“You go ahead. I want to call my mom to see how she’s doing, and then I’m going to take a shower.” He looked around and asked, “What time is it?”
“Almost ten.”
“When’s checkout?”
“I booked the room for two nights, so we don’t have to worry about that.”
He rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache and murmured, “That’s good.”
I wanted to give him some privacy, so I told him, “I’ll go bring us some food,” as I headed for the door.
It took less than twenty minutes to get breakfast. I left the diner with a bag full of takeout containers and a tray with four drinks, so Andy could pick what he wanted.
I started to cross the parking lot, but then I stopped dead in my tracks. Across the street, a black sedan with tinted windows and a black van were pulling up to the motel’s office. I wasn’t sure if it was the same van, until a big, muscle-bound thug climbed out of it. I recognized his clothes first, and then his face came into focus, as if some sort of perception filter was resetting.
He was one of the men who’d tried to abduct us.
Everything I was holding crashed to the ground as a cold trickle of fear skittered down my spine. My first impulse was to run to Andy, but that would lead our pursuers right to him. Instead, I ducked behind the cab of a semi-truck and fumbled for my phone.
Andy answered on the second ring, and I blurted, “They found us.”
“They’re here? The men who tried to grab us?”
“Yes. You need to climb out the bathroom window and run. Use the trees behind the building for cover and head south. I’ll pick you up at the intersection that’s right before the off-ramp. Stay hidden until you see me.” I tried my best to sound confident and keep my voice steady, even though adrenaline was coursing through me.
“What are they doing?”
I took another look across the street before running to my car. “They’re heading into the motel’s office, probably to find out which room we’re in. You don’t have much time. Leave everything and get out of there.”
“I’m going. I just knocked out the screen.”
“Good.”
“I’m scared, Sam.”
“It’s going to be okay, I promise. I’ll be at that intersection soon.” I heard a thud and asked, “Are you alright?”
“Getting through the bathroom window was less than graceful, but I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t hang up.”
“I won’t. I just reached the car.”
It was hard to unlock the door, given how badly my hands were shaking. After I started the engine, I quickly put on my sunglasses and a baseball cap from the backseat. If they looked my way, I didn’t want them to recognize me and give chase.