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Her voice is soft, trembling, and I can sense her fear. It’s not just the fear of being pulled over, but something deeper. Something that makes me suspicious all over again.
She’s sweating like she was running through the desert instead of driving, and that’s not normal for someone with nothing to hide.
I take the license from her, noting her name and details. An American, but not from Texas. “What brings you out here, so close to the border, Ms...” I glance at the license again. “Dream?”
Her blue eyes dart to the rearview mirror, perhaps looking for an escape route, or maybe checking on my partner. “I’m just... traveling. Seeing the sights.”
“Traveling?” I echo back to her, raising an eyebrow. “In this vehicle? Through the desert?”
She nods, biting her plump lower lip, and I find my gaze drawn there. I quickly look away, focusing on the car’s interior for other signs that something is amiss. I don’t see any luggage, but it could be in the trunk.
“It’s an adventure,” Dream says, a weak smile on her face. “A sort of bucket list thing.”
If I was a better man, I’d let her be on her way. She’s not said anything completely wrong yet, and while I certainly want to believe her…
I can’t.
I don’t buy it.
I lean into the window, picking up the smell of her perfume. It’s sweet and fresh, something completely foreign to me after dealing with men in the Texas heat all day. It almost makes me forget what I’m about to say as I hand Dream’s license back to her.
“Is there something you want to tell me, Dream?” I ask.
She shakes her head so hard that I’m certain she’s lying.
I sigh. “I don’t want to do this, ma’am, but you’re really giving me no choice. I’m going to have to search your car. I hope you understand.”
Her face turns a ghostly shade of white, and she stammers, “S-search? W-why?”
“Routine procedure,” I lie, trying to keep my voice gentle. “Please take the keys out of the ignition and step out of the car.”
I watch her hands closely as she turns off the car and gets out, but there’s no obvious attempt to find anything but reassurance and support as she steps out onto the asphalt.
She’s terrified, not aggressive and combative like she’d be if she was with the Cartel.
I’ve already ruled that out, butsomethingis wrong, and I need to know what it is. This is Bratva territory, and I’m the boss. Nothing shady goes on under my nose without me knowing about it.
Dream’s legs shake like she’s just learning to walk, and she leans on the car for support.
“Fuck,” she yelps, jumping back.
She looks at me and shrinks down again. “Sorry, it’s hot.”
I try not to laugh. This must be her first time this far down south.
“Just don’t cause any trouble,” I warn as she checks her arm for burns. “Give me your keys. I need to check the trunk.”
Her demeanor shifts back to terrified, and I know I’ve stumbled upon something important. It doesn’t matter how beautiful and innocent Dream appears to be. I know she’s hiding something, and it’s probably in the trunk of her car.
I keep one hand on my holster as I take the keys from her and unlock the trunk. She’s staring at me like I’m about to pull it out and shoot her, but so far, she hasn’t given me any reason to do that.
She’s not a threat, but whatever is in her trunk has her believing that she’s in serious trouble.
I nod to Jasha, who’s leaning all the way out the window to get a look at what’s going on. I’m surprised he hasn’t come out to help me, but then again, how hard can handling a young woman with no obvious criminal ties be?
It’s only once I open the trunk and open the conspicuous duffle bag lying there that I realize she’s wrapped up in something far greater than herself. And if I’m not careful, it’s going to get both of us killed.
3
