AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can’t let the trooper see that. I can’t let him suspect there’s more to this situation than a simple couple on a trip. The paranoia that’s been creeping up on me seems to explode into full-blown fear, the cop’s blue uniform symbolizing everything I’m running from.
I glance at him through her side mirror, my heart pounding as I keep my hand tight around my gun, hiding it beneath my thigh.
He approaches the car with a stern expression that is at odds with the casual swagger in his stride.
“License and registration, please.”
“Sure thing, officer.” Lila hands over the documents, which are, of course, stolen, her hand trembling slightly.
He takes them, his gaze flicking to me. “Tail light’s out.” It’s not a question, just a statement.
“Oh, we weren’t aware, officer... I’m so sorry,” Lila says, batting her eyelashes at him, trying to play the innocent damsel. It seems to work; the stern expression softens into an indulgent smile.
“Make sure you get it fixed, ma’am.” He doesn’t even check the license and registration. His gaze lingers on Lila for a moment too long, and a surge of irrational anger courses through me. I want to leave the car and wipe that smile off his face.
“Will do, officer. Thank you.” Lila’s voice floats through the tense silence, her sweet smile at odds with the fear in her eyes before.
He hands the license and registration back, tips his hat at Lila, and walks back to his patrol car. I let out the breath I’ve been holding only when he’s out of sight.
“If he wasn’t a cop...” I start, my voice a growl, menace seeping into each word. “I’d have ripped out his throat for looking at you like that. I wanted to jump out of the car and put ten bullets in the back of his head for it.”
“You’re crazy if you think you can kill a cop and get away with it.” She shakes her head. “You were the one that said act cool and then acted like a raging psycho glaring at him. I’m surprised he let us go.”
“You’re the one who’s psycho,” I snap back, my blood boiling. “For a moment, I thought you’d invite him for dinner!” That cop was clearly out of line the way he eye-fucked her.
“I’m not the one who kidnapped someone,” she retorts, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and fear.
“Keep driving,” I command, my voice steely. “And remember, you’re in this just as deep now.”
“I’m not in deep. If anyone caught you, the truth would be out,” Lila retorts, her voice rising, her eyes fixed on the road, hands gripping the wheel. “You kidnapped me, remember?” Her voice wavers on the last word. “I’m an innocent victim in all of this.”
“And yet,” I say, my tone cold as ice, “you didn’t seem so innocent the other night at the motel.” I can’t keep the sneer out of my voice. “When I had to get my hands dirty, you enjoyed it, didn’t you?” I glance at her, my eyes raking over her. “You were so revved up, you couldn’t keep your hands off yourself in the bath. And then you called my name.”
I can almost see her squirming in her seat, but I refuse to let her off the hook. “So tell me, Lila,” I continue, my voice a whisper, “who’s the real psycho here?”
She shudders, and I see the flash of guilt in her eyes.
“Exactly. Case made.”
Lila’s eyes flash with indignation at my words, her jaw hardening as she glares at me with unspoken defiance. Yet, she swiftly redirects her attention to the winding road before us, her knuckles white on the wheel.
The tension in the air is palpable. I lean back, watching Lila navigate the endless road before us. Finally, we come to our next and possibly last pit stop.
“I want you to pull over here,” I demand.
Her brow furrows because it’s probably the most populated place we’ve stopped at so far.
“This seems a bit busy,” she mutters, glancing at me as she pulls the truck to a stop and parks. “I hope you don’t intend to kill anyone.”
I ignore her and get out of the truck. She follows and glances around. The town is alive as they seem to be setting up for some kind of festival, but that’s good. People are distracted.
“Follow me,” I say. We’re low on cash, but I’m desperate for a real meal. We’ve got about a hundred bucks left. A run-down diner caught my eye on the way in, so that’s where we’ll go.
I lead the way toward it, my strides steady. It’s a humble place, caught somewhere between the charm of nostalgia and the weariness of time.
The faint smell of sizzling bacon and brewing coffee wafts in the air. I open the door for Lila, a small smirk playing on my lips as I watch her hesitate.
We go to a small booth at the back, crammed between the kitchen and the restrooms.The worn-out seat creaks under our weight as we slide into the booth, the grimy window providing a perfect view of the town’s bustling activity. My eyes, however, are not on the view outside. They’re locked on Lila.
