Page 24 of Alien Rescue

“They patrol Washington, but plan to increase their presence in the other cities.”

Unease slithered over her skin. “How do you know that?”

“They said it over the TC,” he said calmly. Rose relaxed a bit. That made sense. For a moment there, she thought he really was a collaborater.

He stashed the explosives and backpack in the backseat and then swung into the driver’s seat with an easy motion. The way he moved, the way the muscles in his thighs rippled, reminded her of her alien. She almost snorted. Her alien? He wasn’t her anything but an invader she had to kill if she got the chance. But the thought of hurting the alien who’d cared for her so tenderly was so upsetting, she turned to face the trucker.

“You don’t seem shocked that I knew where to get weapons. Or that I have explosives,” she said carefully. Very clever, Rose, you showed the alien-lover trucker where the weapons are. No, you went one better—you showed him everything.

“Not my business,” he said.

If only she could believe him.

Two hours later he pulled off the road. “We will sleep here and drive the rest of the way to New York tomorrow.”

Rose tried to look unconcerned, but her heart beat overtime. What if he tried to force himself on her? One thing she had to say for Zanr, he might like to mess with her hair, but he was a gentleman, even when he slept in the same bed with her. Fifty babies, he wanted you to have fifty babies, she reminded herself.

She’d prefer to push on, but he was doing her a favor. New York was only about five hours away, but they’d had a late start going back for the weapons. Rose pretended to adjust the leg of her jeans and felt the reassuring bulge of the laser pistol she’d strapped to her ankle before Zanr had come upon her. If she had to defend herself, it would have to be with the laser. She didn’t stand a chance against someone of the trucker’s size.

He reached into the back, where he had a sleeping compartment, and produced a big, warm-looking jacket. “Wear this, the weather is becoming cold.” Again, that slightly strange turn of phrase, the hint of an accent.

“Thank you.” She shrugged on the jacket. The temperature inside the truck was comfortable, but she shivered with sheer nerves. Even with the pistol and the knife, she worried about falling asleep with this guy around. He’d been extremely helpful, but in her experience, no one showed such kindness without demanding a price. They’d been on the move until now. Who knew what he’d do if his hands weren’t on the steering wheel?

“We should’ve stopped and bought some food.” She’d been so focused on the explosives, she didn’t even think about eating.

“No need.” He reached into the back again, and took out a picnic basket covered with a cloth printed with cheery red roses. “We can eat outside.”

She’d prefer being outside rather than in here, trapped. Rose stared at the basket. It didn’t seem like something this tough-looking guy would have. “Did your wife make this for you?” She opened her door and holding onto the door, slid down until her feet touched the road. This truck was not designed for short people. He got out, as well, and set up a little camp in record time. Two camp stools and a box.

“Can I help?”

“Everything is done,” he said and motioned her to one of the camp chairs. Stomach cramping from hunger, she took the sandwich from him and took a big bite. She’d been on the move ever since her escape, and she’d been frugal with the food in the picnic basket. She stared at the picnic basket next to him. “Did your wife pack the basket for you?”

“No, a...friend asked his woman to provide food,” he said, answering her question at last. “My wife ran away from me.”

Odd way to put it. She didn’t know if she should feel sorry for him or worried about why his wife ran. “I’m sorry,” she said lamely.

He handed her a bottle of water. “Drink, you are probably dehydrated.”

Rose took the bottle and almost sagged in relief—it was sealed. Next he handed her a cup of coffee, and after a short hesitation, she took it. He didn’t need to drug her to hurt her. “Do you have children, any other family?” she asked.

“I am without...family.” He sounded odd and she regretted her nosiness.

She finished her coffee and then looked around. She could feel heat climb to her cheeks. “I...uh...I need to go to the bushes.”

He cocked his head, and something about the way he did it tugged at her memory. But she had bigger concerns right now. He looked at her for a long time and then nodded. Rose went over to the bushes and found one large enough to hide her while she finished her business. She kept a weather eye on him to make sure he sat with his back to her.

When she came back to the fire, she used the rest of the water to wash her hands. He got up and went to the truck and came back with a large T-shirt. “You can sleep in this.”

Rose shook her head. “Thank you, but I’ll just sleep in my clothes. They’re quite comfortable.” She needed to sleep, but did she dare fall asleep with him around?

“You may sleep in the back where there is more room. I will take the front seat.”

Rose shook her head. “I’ll just stay next to the fire. It’s nice and cosy.” And she wouldn’t be trapped with him blocking the way to the doors.

He turned and looked her straight in the eye. You will be safe, my b— Rose,” he said.

He could pick her up and put her where he wanted her. Rose nodded, got up, and went to the truck. While she pretended to struggle to reach the step up—not hard to do—she took her laser pistol from the ankle holster. She got into the back and settled with her back against the side of the truck, holding the pistol out of sight.

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