Page 18 of Her Dragon Outlaw

We’re sitting in my car getting ready to head to her house. Her spine is rods straight in the passenger seat, her fingers twisting between each other nervously. Despite her fear, she is remaining impressively calm. Most people would be having full-blown panic attacks by now. Lori’s entire life is being turned upside down and instead of running, she just faces it head-on.

I pull out of the parking lot and head towards her downtown address. In fifteen minutes we are rounding the corner to her house. A surge of protectiveness jolts the sluggish neurons in my skull. Lori filled out the registration information which means whoever's after her already knows more about her than I’d like.

I hit the locks just as she pulls on the handle. She whips her head to me, one corner of her lip is between her teeth, her blue eyes wide and confused.“On second thought I don't think you should go home. Miller will have your address,” I say, parking just before her house.

“Oh,” she says, sitting back in her chair. She stares out of the front window for a moment before turning to me. The uncertainty that had claimed her features a moment before is gone. “What do I do now?”

“Normally, we tell people to keep a low profile, maybe change their hair. You know, make themselves unrecognizable, but that won’t work for you. They know what you look like, and where you live. Hell, they've probably already started tracking down any close relatives and friends in case you decide to hide out with them.”

Her fair skin pales. “Gee, thanks for that,” she says flatly. “You still haven’t given me an answer to my question though.”

“I was getting to that.” I deadpan, knowing I was stalling for time.

There was only so much a person could take in such a short amount of time and I don’t want to push her. But I will. Right now there isn’t any other choice. I just have to figure out just how I'm going to suggest what I have in mind.

Coward, my dragon taunted.

I’m trying to be considerate.

Same thing, he snorts.

Lori's voice cuts off his retort. “Well don't keep me in suspense, it's only my life,” she says, the tension obvious in her voice.

“Sorry,” I mutter. “I think we need to throw them off the scent completely.” I glance at her through my peripherals and enjoy the sight of her eyes trained on me. “I’m going to take you two towns over, we’ll get a room and stay there for a few days, then maybe after we’ll change locations just so we’re not in one place too long.”

She shook her head as if she didn't understand what she was hearing. “We?”

I school my features, keeping a causal lightness to my voice. “You're going to need a guard. I figured since you’re already my partner in crime solving, I might as well stick with you.”

A light pink blush stained the center of her face. “Wouldn’t it still be easy to find us? We’ll have to use our names to check-in. Eventually, someone will catch on.”

“True but-”

“And two towns over doesn't seem far enough. They could still track us down at that distance.”

I bite my lip. My chest feels tight with anxiety. She's right, as much as I hate to admit it. I look at her again, unable to help myself. The more time I spend with her the more I find myself wanting to hear what she has to say, to study the way her face moves with the emotions hidden beneath it.

With the hotel off the table, I think of where we could go that would be obscure enough not to rouse suspicion or interest. The valley I flew over yesterday comes to mind immediately. Across the lake stood a littering of small log cabins. One, in particular, was sporting a For Rent sign that had been up for months.

I knew this because the realtor, Craig, was a good friend of mine. The more I think about it, the more perfect it seems. They’re set deep enough in the forest that they’d most likely only be known to the few seasonal hunters that rented them.

One quick phone call and the temporary problems are solved.

“I've got a better idea,” I say. “There are some cabins north of here, it will be a couple of hours out of the city. It's secluded and almost completely off the grid. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like I'm going to need to pick up a few things before we head out.”

I grinned at her. “Lucky for you we're already here."

I'm in front of the passenger door before she can open it. She looks up at me, then down at the hand, I'm offering her. After a moment—which is too long for my liking— she takes it, letting me help her out.

Her hand is only in mine for a moment, but it is long enough to send a shock of heat along my skin. I am still watching her as she starts walking down the street. A different type of alarm hums through my body, low and ravenous, a beast peering out of slumber.

I cast this feeling aside and focus on the safer one, interest. I wanted to know more about Lori and this was my golden opportunity.

The afternoon is racing by and before we know it, we will be on our way to my new hideaway. I already sent Craig a text and my deposit so by the time we get there everything should be in order. I jog to catch up with her and we immediately fall into a light conversation. Talking with Loriis surprisingly easy. She is witty, and always has a comeback or a joke in answer to my light teasing. Eventually, when her shoulders hang loosely at her side and her posture is light, I shift the conversation.

“So what do you want to do with your life?” I say.

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