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That way, if Russell did manage to find her again like last time, he wouldn’t take all her things, and she’d have a chance to get away. Though she hoped like hell that didn’t happen. She’d driven much further than last time, ensured that her cellphone was left behind, and was in a car he didn’t know about. In her mind, Orly had done everything possible to ensure a successful escape, if only the man she was running from wasn’t Russell Graham.
Standing at the foot of the bed, this motel room felt just like the other one, but she forced herself not to think about it, or Russell. She was exhausted and wanted to collapse onto the bed, even if the mattress was probably lumpy and the sheets felt like sandpaper. But first, she needed a long awaited for hot shower.
She set her suitcase down and walked to the bathroom, stripping her clothes as she went. She shampooed her long blonde curly hair twice before applying conditioner, and lathered on a generous amount of body wash while waiting for the conditioner to seep into her strands. After her shower, she combed out her tangles and climbed into bed.
Tomorrow would come too soon and she couldn’t afford to stick around here a second night, not with Russell most likely hot on her trail. She’d picked up a disposable smartphone at one of the gas stations, paying for it in cash, and filled it with a few hundred minutes along with several gigabytes of data to use for research.
Sitting propped up with pillows on the bed, she used the phone to look up local roads and highways. She needed to get out of Texas, but she also knew the main thoroughfares could have traffic cameras, and Russell would likely search those first. If he did, she hoped to lose him here, so he couldn’t follow her any further. She mapped out a route using side streets and smaller highways that would eventually get her as close to the state line as possible. Arkansas was her best bet, but if she could somehow find a way to get all the way to Missouri in the next day or two, she’d breathe easier.
There was no big plan now. If she had to spend the rest of her life zigzagging across the country, then she would happily do that as long as she stayed off the radar, and was never found or returned to Russell.
She thought of Luke then and wondered if he’d take Russell’s side or hers. The mere thought of Luke being anything like Russell made bile rise to her throat. She tossed the phone on the bed next to her, and rolled over onto her side as tears streamed down her face. Never in her life had she felt more alone than she did right now. She’d loved Russell, even if she was apprehensive about their relationship in the beginning. But he’d changed so much over the course of just a few months, she just couldn’t live with him anymore.
Orly swiped at the moisture on her cheeks, craving the only real connection she’d had in a long time. But the moment she slipped into Luke’s mind, she felt extreme agitation and fear overwhelming her senses. Luke? His name slipped out softly, but he didn’t respond. Are you there? Can you talk? His mind was racing at warp speed as his thoughts assailed her. Memories, flashbacks of the warehouse flooded her mind, and Orly forced herself to stay calm. He was dreaming. Luke, wake up. You’re okay. She gently pushed her thoughts into his mind to rouse him from his deep sleep. Luke, wake up. At that, she felt him bolt upright, his forehead drenched in a cold sweat. It’s okay. You’re okay. It was a nightmare. He seemed to settle at her reassuring words.
Orly. Her name escaped his mind like a sweet prayer, and she couldn’t help but hug the pillow closer to her chest, imagining it was him.
I’m here. I got you. You’re okay.
Thanks. I must’ve dozed off while reading this report.
Where are you? Are you okay? He asked.
Touched by his concern for her after having just woken up from a nightmare, Orly almost gave him her standard I’m fine. But she could no longer hold back the truth from the only friend she had in this world. I left my fiancé last night. He’s a cop and he hit me. A lot. So I left. She let the words tumble out, wondering what Luke would say.
Shit. Luke ground out, catching her off guard. Are you okay? Do you need help? Where are you? I can come to you.
She felt his muscles tensing, like he was literally preparing to get up and go to her wherever she was. She couldn’t deny his anger and concern on her behalf felt good. So good. No, I can take care of myself, but…he’ll never stop looking for me.
Come to Dallas. Let me help you. It’s the least I can do.
She was kicking herself for doing exactly that, but hopefully if Russell did track her to Texas, she’d lose him here.I can’t. He traced my call to the Dallas Police Department. He’ll probably look for me there first.
What can I do? Luke asked.
Orly sighed. You’re doing it. Talking to you really helps.
I’m glad, but I can’t help feeling like it’s not enough. There has to be something more I can do.
I’ll be okay. Thank you, Luke. There was a time Orly would’ve jumped at his offer to help her, but the truth was, she didn’t completely trust him. Before Russell came into her life, she’d had a good life, a few friends, people she used to hang out with on her days off. She even attended an occasional book club meeting at her local library. Russell had slowly but surely taken it all away from her, and she hadn’t even realized he was doing it until it was too late.
Logically, she knew Luke wasn’t Russell, but she just wasn’t ready to trust him, or herself, with anymore than she already had. Besides, Luke was the first person that actually made her feel comfortable in her own mind, and she didn’t want to risk ruining what they had by running to him at the first sign of trouble. It was probably a silly notion and she really could use his help, but Orly just wasn’t ready to rely on another person.
As her eyes grew heavy and she drifted to sleep, Orly found herself wanting to taste the lips of the man whose words filled her with hope and whose voice covered her like a velvet skin.
One day, she promised herself, mostly as a way to console her growing need and desire for the man in her head, she would meet him.
Chapter 7
“Stop ogling my horns.” Garrett warned with no heat and a touch of sarcasm. “You can’t have them.”
“Wouldn’t want them,” Luke remarked with a shake of his head and a chuckle. Stepping into Garrett’s house was like walking into a hunting lodge, only better. The cathedral ceilings with wood beams, the massive stone fireplace, and the deep brown leather sectional in the living room screamed Texas. But it was the fake bull horns on the wall that gave it the final touch. Luke knew they were fake because Garrett wasn’t a hunter and had no interest in having dead animal parts in his home. Still, if Luke stopped to really stare at them, they were kind of creepy.
He’d arrived at Garrett’s house for their planned day of fishing. Caden had pulled up right behind him, so they walked in together. They unloaded the food and drinks they brought, and Garrett got to work, putting the drinks in a cooler filled with ice, and preparing the meat for the grill.
Blake joined them at the last minute just as the burgers were coming off the fire. “You made it,” Caden said.
“Yeah, change of plans. Don’t ask,” Blake said. Luke had a feeling it had something to do with his sister.
