Page 14 of The Hitman’s Obsession

Or hating me…

Christ, she might just hate me. That thought burns through my chest like a hot poker, but right now, I can’t allow myself to care. She can hate me all she wants for now. Hell, she can hate me tomorrow or for the next ten years.

But at least she’ll be alive while she’s doing it.

My teeth are this close to breaking as I clench my jaw, trying to get my shit together. The more I glance over at her, the faster my heart races and the more I am consumed with guilt, fear, and desire. It’s a typhoon inside me, and I’m barely holding on.

Get your shit together!

Now is not the time for emotions. Now is the time for action. I have to think tactically if I want to get us both out of this alive.

Step one: get out clean.

I left nothing at Annie’s apartment that could trace back to me. Nothing that would give them a clue as to where I’m taking her. At least that gives us a head start.

Step two: change vehicles.

I take a hard left and hammer the gas. My backup ride, an old pickup that Jimmy doesn’t know about, is sitting in the back of a rarely used parking garage. I pull in and park beside it.

“Get out,” I growl.

Annie glares at me, but she does as I say. Her face is so sweet. So innocent. She doesn’t deserve this. I want to be nicer to her, but if I give in now, if I let my focus falter one tiny bit, it could mean her death.

And I can’t live with that.

My keys are stashed on a steel girder out of most people’s reach. I grab them and unlock the truck. This time, Annie gets in without being asked, but she’s not happy about it. She just knows there’s no point in resisting.

I slide in beside her, fire up the engine, and grab my old trucker’s hat from the back seat.

Step three: avoid cameras, don’t be seen.

My focus is slipping as I pull out of the lot and head for the safe house. My mind needs to be one hundred percent on getting us out of here alive. But I can’t stop thinking about what happened.

She was afraid of me. But she kissed me. She wanted me.

Does she regret it now? Now that she sees me as her kidnapper?

No. That can’t be. What happened on the floor of her bedroom was monumental. It was beyond special. It was life-changing for both of us.

She may be pissed at me now, but once she realizes that what I’m doing is for her, she’ll come around. There’s no way I’m letting her go. Not now, not ever.

You’re mine, Annie. You belong to ME!

“Where are you taking me?” she asks. Her soft voice feels misplaced here in my presence, the presence of a killer. In a life-or-death situation. But it calms my nerves slightly.

That shouldn’t happen. I’m a stone cold killer. Flat. Emotionless. But when Annie speaks, something inside me moves. I don’t just want this woman. I need her.

“Somewhere safe,” I reply.

“Safe?” she laughs. “Safe from who?”

“Everyone.”

She glares at me for a long time. I keep my eyes on the road. “Including you?”

“I told you, Annie. I would never hurt you.” She scoffs again. “I’m giving up everything to protect you.”

My phone buzzes. Shit. I should have tossed it already. Annie has me distracted, and that’s not good. I have to keep my mind centered. Attentive.