AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I didn’t know, and it was terrifying.
As if he knew I needed a reprieve from thinking, the man got back to work, twisting off the lug nuts with an ease that spoke of practiced efficiency. “Who taught you how to change a tire?”
“My cousin.”
“You lost them.”
I didn’t ask how he knew. When you’d stared death in the face, it left a mark on you. One you could see in others. “I did.”
“My condolences.” He paused but didn’t look at me. “Losing people you love is never easy.”
“How do you survive it?” I didn’t know why I asked or why I thought the stranger would tell me. There was just something about him that screamed that we were the same. Two hurt souls trying to survive in the world and heal. Kindred spirits on very different life paths. It was nicer than I'd thought it would be to know I wasn’t alone.
“I remember that every breath I take is one they didn’t have the chance to use. It doesn’t make it easier, but it makes giving up harder.”
Our eyes connected again, and the moment hooked us both. It felt like a tether, some invisible string forcing us together. I found it impossible to break away.
That was why the gunshots caught me off guard.
Bang, bang, bang.
“Motherfuck.” The sight of two SUVs pulling up to block our exits triggered me back into movement.
I had a split second in which I debated leaving the Good Samaritan. The highway backed up to the forest. I could sprint into the trees and hide until Greyson came for me. I had no doubt I’d survive if I did, but the stranger wouldn’t, and after what we’d shared, I couldn’t leave him.
Even if the smart move would be to let him die, I’d never liked collateral damage like that. It weighed on the soul, and mine was already too heavy.
“Fuck,” I hissed, yanking him back with me and toward the far side of my car as bullets peppered the road. It was shit cover, especially since he was obviously taller than I was, but it was the only option we had.
I didn’t even have to count the men to know that we were screwed. At best, there were only two people in each SUV. At worst, there could be almost ten. Twenty against two weren’t the kinds of odds I enjoyed.
Grey was going to resurrect me just to kill me himself.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Pushing the panic away, I slid over the hood and took two shots, taking out two of the men in the first SUV. The Good Samaritan peeked over the edge, only to pull back and glance at me.
“You got a spare?”
I must’ve looked at him like he was nuts because he grinned. Fuck, he had a good smile. Focus, Mari!
“I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Trust me, I’m a good shot.”
That wasn’t my concern. I was already battling too many enemies. If he turned out to be one too, I’d be dead faster than my men could find me. Then again, the scenario wasn’t looking good for my survival anyway. If I could get to the trunk without becoming a human fishnet, I’d be okay. I had weapons in there that would turn this firefight to ashes in no time, but even with a little cover, it wasn’t possible. More calculated risks, more danger than I wanted when I’d set out to clear my head. Especially when I had to do the one thing I’d been trained from birth not to do.
Trust someone other than my family.
Another spray of bullets peppered the car, and I made up my mind, consequences be damned. “Yeah, I’ve got one.”
I dipped my hand under the car, navigating by feel until my fingers were lined up on the manual keypad. I typed with both eyes on the danger until the mounted gun safe opened and I could hand him my gun’s twin. He grabbed for the grip, but I kept hold of it, forcing his eyes to mine.
“You got a name?”
“Nate.”
Why does that suit him?
“Well, Nate. Welcome to the circus. Shoot me, and you’ll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of this life and the next.”
