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My legs were tired. I’d run a lot last night and then spent several hours crouched on a high branch. I ached for a hot shower and food. I knew I would get neither. I needed to grab what I could, get my cash, and leave this town behind me.
I didn’t realize a vehicle was behind me until it drew up beside me.
“Zia?”
I jumped in surprise, and when I saw the black truck alongside me, I wondered how I’d zoned out. “Vance?”
He was looking me over with concern. “What the fuck happened to you? You sleep outside?”
Looking down at my torn and filthy jeans, I shrugged. My sneakers were covered in mud, and my hoodie had a ripped pocket. “Um…kind of.”
“Get in.”
Looking at the truck and the occupier, I took a step back. Why was he on the road? Was it a coincidence?
“I’m okay walking.”
Vance gave me that flat stare of his. “You look like shit. You’re going to scare someone. You’ve got blood all over you, for fuck’s sake. Get in the truck.”
If he tried anything, I could always beat the shit out of him—one-on-one, I could handle. Slowly, I made my way around the front of the truck. Pulling open the door, I hesitated when I saw him laying a rug over his seats.
Vance looked up at me. “You’re filthy,” he said defensively.
“Asshole.” Gingerly, I got into the truck and closed the door behind me.
Vance looked in the rearview and pulled out. “Want to tell me what happened?”
I shook my head. “Not much to tell.”
“You fight last night?” he asked shrewdly. “Somewhere else?”
“No.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to drop dead?”
Turning to look at him, I raised an eyebrow. “It’s not that bad.”
Vance snorted and looked back at the road. “You need a doctor?”
“No.”
“I know a female doc I can take you to.”
Leaning my head against the passenger window, I stared out at the passing scenery. “I don’t need a doctor, Vance.”
“Cops?”
That got my attention. I looked over at him. “You want to take me to the cops?”
Vance ran his right hand through his hair. “Girl, you look like you got mauled by a pack of dogs. You’re bleeding, you’re disoriented, and you look completely checked out. Did…” He hesitated, and I heard him grind his teeth. “Did they get to you?”
“No. I fell when I was running. I may have hit my head harder than I thought. Then I hid.” Shame washed over me to admit I hadn’t stood and fought.
“Why were you running in the first place?”
“Some fuckers were chasing me,” I told him honestly. I noticed we were at the garage. “How did you know where I lived?”
“There are few secrets in a town this size when you ask the right questions,” he said dryly. “Who chased you?”
