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“I’m going to the restroom.” She hesitated and waited to see if he would pick up what she wasreallysaying. He opened his mouth to speak, then narrowed his eyes. She nodded. “I’ll fill you in later, probably tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He moved to whisper in her ear. “Be safe and just call me later.”
She turned to move down the hall. Small signs with arrows pointing the direction of the restrooms. She didn’t need to turn around to know Archie was still behind her but keeping a few feet back.
Her breathing remained steady as her heart raced. One foot in front of the other as she rounded the corner and passed the restroom. She looked out of the corner of her eye as Archie stepped closer to her, hand on her lower back as he guided her towards the emergency exit.
“Wait.” His hand hesitated against the bar across the door.
She stopped and watched as he pushed it open, then glanced outside.
“Alright.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the small gray car with dark windows. He opened the door for her, closed it once she was seated, then walked around.
“Arch?” Her hands shook as she moved the seatbelt across her chest and buckled herself in.
His hand rested on her leg. “It’s going to be okay.” He started the car, pulled out of the parking spot, then took the alleyway towards another road.
She was so turned around by the time they pulled out onto the highway. He remained silent as their speed increased. His eyes occasionally glimpsed in the rearview mirror. She watched the whites of his knuckles as his hands tightened on the steering wheel. Her stomach dropped as their speed increased and he maneuvered around and in front of cars.
“Are we being followed?” She didn’t want to turn around and see for herself.
“I’m going to protect you; we’re going to get out of here.” His jaw ticked as his muscles strained.
She didn’t doubt him. It didn’t stop her throat from feeling like it was closing as her mouth went dry.
He made a quick exit as they approached traffic. Cars were backed up for a while, but he was quick to move. Horns honked, but she knew he didn’t care. She didn’t either. He turned under a ramp and took another road.
He exhaled before taking another turn and they were back on a different highway, going in the opposite direction. She didn’t question him. The air was breathable again, and he’d visibly relaxed. Slightly anyway.
Her eyes widened as they drove through the open gate to the small airport. Smaller charter planes parked along the side. It didn’t take long for her to see the one up ahead with its door opened. A ramp was pressed next to it and a man was standing and waiting.
CHAPTER16
ARCHIE
“Idon’t even know where we’re going, just know that I’m safe. Max has extra content and can post for me if needed. I’ll check in by the end of next week.” Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m sorry. My house isn’t exactly safe right now.” Her mouth dropped. “It’s not like I like it either. Like I said, I’ll check in by the end of next week.” She held the phone out and ended the call.
“Do you want to change?” His eyes trailed down the dress she’d been wearing for the first part of the flight.
“Actually, that would be nice.” Her eyes softened as she smiled.
He nodded and led her toward the back of the plane where a small closet size room had their luggage. It wasn’t the nicest of planes, but it was the only one available when he reached out to one of his contacts to get a private route back home. Archie still hadn’t told her where they were going. She’d know soon enough, and he didn’t want to hear her argue that they were putting people in danger.
“Can you help?” She turned and pointed to the zipper on her back.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. It wasn’t a big deal. They were just friends. He unzipped it a little too slow though, his finger trailing behind as it exposed her back down and “What is that?” His eyes caught on the top of a tattoo. “When did you get that?”
She spun around to face him, her hands holding her dress up. “It’s nothing.” Her eyes were wide. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to get more comfortable now.”
Archie grinned as he returned to his seat. He was with her when she got her first tattoo after they’d turned eighteen. A small hummingbird behind her left shoulder. It never occurred to him that she would get more. His arms were covered, but it had never been her to have tattoos. She only wanted that first one because her great grandmother loved hummingbirds. It was something she wanted to keep with her after she was gone.
He hadn’t been able to make out what the one on her lower back was, not enough time. Now he was curious. He couldn’t hide his smile as she returned to her seat a minute later. She looked nervous. What was it?
It was a good distraction while they were up in the air. Archie was furious as soon as he saw the car following them on the highway. He’d taken all the right steps, but he wasn’t surprised. He wouldn’t be able to rest until they were at the Heathens MC Clubhouse. It had been the most obvious choice. The guys already knew what was going on with Tabitha.
They were family and would have their backs. The guilt set in as the flight ended. Part of him felt bad for calling in favors when he never patched in. They wanted him too, but he didn’t want to be part of it.
As soon as their feet were on the ground, Tabitha was glaring at him. She didn’t speak a word as they got into the back of a car and were escorted. Her arms remained crossed in front of her the entire ride. She didn’t even look at him, just kept her eyes out the window and occasionally shook her head.
