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It’s a statement but also a question.
“I think you already know that’s a long and complicated story but yes, I left. I was done after Waters.”
“I think I might be, too.”
“Don’t make that decision now. Decide after you put him in jail and if you leave, leave on your terms.”
“Not over a fence in the dark?” I joke, giving a choked laugh.
“Not unless you have pizza in your belly.” He winks and stands, taking me with him, caressing my hair behind my ear, his touch sending a shiver over my skin. “A few more hours and we’ll be out of here, safe, and by the time we wake up tomorrow, at least part of this story is over.”
And yet, my gut tells me the nightmare has just begun.Chapter Thirty-FiveADRIAN
Pri’s on edge and I understand why. Being under fire in the courtroom is her thing. Being under fire outside the courtroom is mine.
Once the pizza arrives and she’s with me, Savage, and Jacob at the island, eating, she seems to relax, at least a small amount, laughing as Savage and I banter. Unfortunately, the escape from reality that laughter represents is short-lived. Savage’s phone buzzes and he answers the call, listens, and says, “We’re moving.” He disconnects and focuses on me. “A storm is rolling in. Lucifer thinks you need to move now before it hits and makes it harder to make the change.”
“Will a storm stop Deleon from attacking?” Pri asks.
“The opposite,” I say, standing up. “A muddy, wet house hides evidence.”
“Right,” she says. “I, of all people, know that.”
I stand and motion to her phone where it rests on the table. “Leave it. We can’t let them use it to track us. We’ll get you set-up with a new one soon.”
She hesitates but nods her approval.
Five minutes later, I’m helping Pri over a fence, thunder rumbling above, the scent of rain in the air, the humidity downright suffocating. Once we’re on the ground in the yard next door, we do the same two more times, and exit to another neighborhood street. A quick scan of the area reads safe and I spy the white Ford F150 pickup I’m looking for—a truck our team chose for the simple fact that it’s a Texas favorite, in every other driveway, thus it doesn’t stand out.
“That’s us,” I say, motioning to the truck and then helping her inside the passenger side. “Lock it,” I order, scanning the area one last time, as I round the truck bed and quickly find my way to the driver’s door. About the time I climb behind the wheel, joining Pri and locking up, the first drop of rain hits the window.
“We’re in for a wet ride,” I say, cranking the engine and wasting no time setting us in motion.
“Where are we going?” she asks. “I don’t think you ever told me.”
“A cabin out by the lake my father left me for just such an occasion. It’s deeded under a fake name and meant to be an escape if he needed it, and now, I need it.” I’m already pulling us out of the neighborhood, and the edge of my mood begins to settle, the adrenaline rush of getting her out of her place safely with it. “Snuggle in and get cozy, sweetheart,” I say. “We have an hour-long drive.”
She scoots over beside me and rests her head on my arm, glancing up at me. “Is this okay?”
I wait for some kind of internal push-back, some rejection of my growing bond with Pri, but it’s not there. Something inside me is changing, and it’s all about her. “Yes,” I say. “Perfect.”
She’s perfect, I think a while later when the rain is steady and so is her breathing. Too perfect for me and it guts me to know that it won’t be long until she agrees.Chapter Thirty-SixADRIAN
When we hit the gravel road not far from the cabin, with rain pounding the windows, Pri bustles to life, sitting up with a jolt. “What’s happening?”
“Bad roads,” I say. “Easy, sweetheart. All is well.”
Her shoulders roll forward. “Thank God. How long was I out?”
“Most of the drive. We’re about to arrive now.”
She presses her hands to her face and then her legs, as if she’s trying to get her circulation pumping. “I can’t believe I slept that hard.”
“We did sleep on the couch last night and it’s been an intense day.”
“True,” I say. “Very true.” She scans the woods around us. “Good thing we ate before we left.”
“We have some supplies, but nothing fancy. I have chocolate and booze, though.”
“Well then,” she laughs, “we’re living like kings.” She groans. “Why’d I have to bring him into this?”
“At least you said kings and not devils, but Waters is all over our lives right now, sweetheart.” I point ahead as the wood cabin comes into view and then maneuver us close to the front door and porch. “It’s not the Ritz, but it’s cozy.” I kill the engine. “Hang tight and I’ll help you avoid the mud.” I open the door and rush out into the cold rain, drenched in about ten seconds, but I plug onward.
