CHAPTER EIGHT
Each s-turn on the sharp mountains road swayed Mia into her seatbelt. Her head bumped the window, waking her. With a sleepy yawn, she rubbed her eyes and fingered her knotted hair. He’d been watching her for hours, just as long as he’d observed the passing white lines speed by in a blur.
Damn if she wasn’t something to stare at, even in the dark, and she made cute noises in her sleep. Precious breaths and sleep-drenched murmurs. He’d remember those long after this op was over.
He had fidgeted with the temperature gauge, not wanting her to be too cold. He kept the radio quiet, just loud enough so he could hear it and stay awake, or to distract his mind from her. Whatever. It didn’t help.
“What time is it?” Her slumber-soaked question didn’t sound rested. It was the same tired keel as before she passed out. Mia needed real food and real sleep. She needed to get away from this road trip from hell. His on-the-job lifestyle was pragmatic. Sleep when necessary, and down gas station purchased protein bars and Dots. The Dots alone could suffice him, and sleep was overrated. But Mia needed more. Hell, she deserved better.
“Colby? Is that clock right?” They’d be much closer to their destination if that console timepiece was anywhere near correct.
He checked his wristwatch. “Nope. We should be further along, but with our adventure at the gas station, we lost major time.” He paused. “So I’ve been thinking, you handled yourself well today. Not many people have your aplomb.”
“Aplomb?” She asked in a deadpan voice.
“Oh, big word. Didn’t think I had a brainy side, huh, doll?”
“I’m sure you do.”
“That’s all right. You just think of me as all brawn, saving that cute ass of yours from thugs. What was it, once, twice? After the airport. A shootout at the motel. I’ll be your hero.” He nudged her shoulder, anything to touch her again. “If that’s how you see me.”
“Well, don’t forget the gas station.” She bumped her shoulder back against him. “I’ve had a very tough day. The least you can do is remember all my near death experiences.”
“Of course. It slipped my mind.” He nudged her for a second time. Christ, what was this? A grade school playground? Should he pull her hair next? He laughed, his smile teasing. “Let me get this right. Not many people are kidnapped, gassed, shot at, and grabbed. Basically, rescued over and over.”
He winked at her through the darkness.
“Yeah, my day sucked. But it’s a typical nine-to-five for you?”
This drive flew by when she was awake. Hell, it did the same when she slept. He’d never had an entertaining operational road trip. Nor had he ever shared. Fessing about his daughter was mindboggling. He never admired a victim before either. She handled it all, airport to gas station, unlike a wimped-out casualty.
“I think you’re strong, Mia. Way stronger than I gave you credit for at the airport, when you looked all librarian-like.” He waited, knowing there was more to be said, and it would kill the mood. One knuckle at a time, he made them crack, then shifted in his seat.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
How did she read his mind? “Why do you think I’m keeping something from you?”
She faced him, but he kept his eyes on the broken white lines. “You know guns, and I know body language. Spit it out, big boy.”
He checked the rearview mirror again.
“Colby.”
“All right, I’ll level with you.” She was a mind reader of sorts. That could pose probs. “We’re in the middle of nowhere, and there isn’t another town for a hundred miles. Only truck stops and motels line this highway.”
“Stop with the tour guide routine. You aren’t telling me anything I haven’t noticed. I thought I was full of aplomb and stuff like that. Please, go on. Tell me.”
He needed more time to feel her out. But if she thought she could handle it…he guessed he agreed. Fine. Whatever. He’d give it to her straight.
“We picked up another tail a while back. I’m surprised it took them this long to find us, but they did. And so this is what we’ve got to deal with now.”
She didn’t check the side view mirror. Smart girl. Nor did she panic. Her breathing didn’t change, and as best he could tell, she remained calm.
“Why didn’t you just tell me that?”
“I didn’t want you plastered to the windows like I promised you Gucci was falling from the sky. If you did that, you might as well have hung a sign up that said we see you.”
“I’m the Gucci type?”
“You’re a woman. I don’t know.” He shrugged.
“Typical.” She laughed. “You should have said don’t look, but we’ve got a situation.”
“Put your shrink hat on. You still think that’s what would have happened?”
She shook her head. “No. I would have checked.”
“That was my dilemma. Though you weren’t a problem.” He snuck a glance at her. Picture perfect composure. “I’d run them off the road, but these dog-leg turns are tricky, and you’re in the car. So we don’t out run ’em. We draw them out and eliminate the problem.”
“Eliminate the problem?”
Winters tilted his head. Spelling it out wasn’t going to happen. She could use her imagination if she needed further clarification.
“Extrapolate, Mia.” He massaged his neck, pushing away tension. “They’ve sped past us, dropped back, and paced us, maintaining a variable visual since we crossed the state line. Next time they drop back, I’ll pull into a truck stop. They’ll find us. Guaranteed. I’ll deal with the situation, and we’ll hit the road again. Sound like a plan?”
She jutted her chin up. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll handle fine. I’m not helpless.”
“I noticed that about fifteen hours ago.”
He reached over to put his hand over hers, interlacing their fingers. Tingles skipped up his arm. He hadn’t pulled a move like that since he got a set of wheels in high school. His end goal had been trying to nail some action. Her hand squeezed his, cascading another rush of sensation along his skin. Maybe his goals hadn’t changed that much, but it felt a little bizarre. Less about the end goal and more about the moment. Or some shit like that.
Mia turned in her seat, still keeping her hand in his. “You’re so casual.”
“You want me to get all triggered up?” He checked the mirror for the tails again. He’d be ready, even if the woman next to him was distraction-worthy.
“You’re acting like someone isn’t trying to kill us.”
“It’s not the first time, and it’s sure as hell not going to be the last. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” God help the men chasing her. “And I don’t scare.”
His thumb caressed the top of her hand. Engaging the enemy was an expected part of his operational to do list, but it must have been a nightmare for her. He wanted her to feel safe with him. He wanted her to trust him.
“But I’m scared, Colby.” Mia chewed her bottom lip.
“I know you are. Don’t worry. I promise you, it’ll be okay.” He tightened his grip and brought her fist to his mouth. He kissed her knuckles and pressed her folded fingers against his lips. She was sweet, but under it all, she was a woman who could hold her own. He should have known that when she wielded her kneecap as a weapon. Mia blasted every one of his preconceived notions. Untrained women in the field weren’t weak as he assumed.
A motel sign illuminated the night with a flashing neon sign. Vacancy. Truckers welcome. Free cable. Karaoke bar. He eased the car off the highway and into a parking lot lined with a handful of big rigs.
He put the car in park in front of the motel. “You’re coming with me. I’m not leaving you alone again.”
She crunched her feet against a fast food bag. “I don’t have shoes to wear.”
“Them’s the breaks, doll. Barefoot and safe. Come on now. We’ll be fast.” The plan he was piecing together didn’t allow much time. Convincing her to move wasn’t in the plan at all.
“I’m going to stand out. My clothes are tattered.” She stared down and rubbed her hands over the shirt.
His lips pressed into a tight line, and he resisted the urge to grab and carry her around again. They were past that type of interaction. But it would’ve been far more expedient. Coaxing wasn’t his forte, and he had to make fast work of it. He took a deep breath.
“Honey, this truck stop has seen far worse. Trust me. And if someone pays too much attention to you, I’ll distract them. Hell, I might just pummel their face.”
She tilted her head, her hair obscuring part of her smile. “I thought you were always calm in the face of danger.”
He tried not to blow out a frustrated breath but failed in grand fashion. Time was speeding by, and she still hadn’t moved. “Undue attention at your expense is their mistake. As far as anyone is concerned, you’re mine. You’re with me. And I’d consider it a personal affront if they looked at you any way you don’t like. Or any way I don’t like.”
His blood felt thick in his veins. Given their day, he would’ve considered killing someone who even offended her, and he wouldn’t have been sorry about it. That was who he was, a warrior, and she was… Mia was a priority.
“Oh.” She opened her door a crack, signaling her willingness to make a public appearance, and turned back to him. “All right. Let’s do this.”
She smoothed her hands over her sweater. Even barefoot in mussed up clothes, she personified grace. Check that. The woman defined understated sexy. He didn’t know why it wasn’t so apparent at first.
The torn shirt worked for his attention. It’d be so easy to finish the rip, tearing it off of her. Fuck, man, he couldn’t tear his eyes from her body. She might have been a priority, but she was the best looking one he’d ever seen.
“Colby?”
He blinked, more than aware he was busted staring at her tits.
“You’re distracting, Mia. You know that? Every time I look at you—never mind. Forget it. Let’s do this.”
He jumped out and walked to her side, pulled the door wide open, and she slid out. With her hand in his, they made their way to the front desk. The freckled-face clerk eyed her up and down. Mia buried her cheek against his chest. She fit perfect. Their bodies were the right mix of spark and C4. Together, there was the potential for explosions.
He made a specific room request, handed over a few Benjamins, and watched for incoming assaults.
“Sir, your receipt and room key. Are you sure you want a backside room? There’s a karaoke bar back there. It’s loud, and the drunks are nasty. Nothing will slow down ‘til after five in the morning.”
Winters grunted his lack of concern. It was time to loiter and keep a visual on the incoming traffic. The only flaw in this plan was the proximity to a private room and bed. But that wasn’t why they were there. He should repeat that mantra until the tangos arrived.
The clerk directed them out the reception area. “King-size bed. Non-smoking. Your room is back out the front and around the side. Just follow the music from the bar.”
King-size bed. His dick went semi-hard, and he stifled a groan. Stop thinking about her naked. It wasn’t the time.
Winters nodded his appreciation to the clerk and leaned close to Mia’s ear. His mouth brushed her lobe. It took more strength than he expected to keep from nipping her earlobe. “Come on, doll. Let’s draw ’em out.”