Page 11 of Honoring Lena

“I’m giving you a raise,” he blurted out over the loud country blaring through the speakers.

Her lips tweaked in the most adorable way as she twisted the volume down. If she knew he’d just thought that, she’d probably throat chop him like she had Tony. She ripped off her T-shirt, revealing a white tank top underneath, yanked her hair tie from her ponytail to let her long raven hair spill down her back, and slammed the hat on her head.

“You might want to wait on that raise.” She threw the truck in gear and sped out of the parking lot. “I haven’t gotten us to safety yet.”

The words sobered the amazement coursing through him. How did she plan to do that? She took a turn, and Marshall grunted as he slammed against the door. His five-ten frame was not meant to fold into such a compact space. Lena’s gaze darted to him, then back to the road.

“Strip.”

“Excuse me?” He stuttered.

“You have the Supersuit Zeke gave you on under your polo, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then strip out of your polo and get on the seat. Changing your shirt will help disguise you.” She glanced at the side mirror. “I need you up and watching for a tail.”

He set the toolbox on the floorboard and clambered onto the bench seat. Then he tucked Carter onto his feet. Was it safe for him to be on the floorboard like that? It’d be better if he was in a seatbelt. He pulled Carter onto the middle spot on the bench seat and buckled his son in.

Marshall then tore off his polo, the button catching in his hair and ripping a chunk out. He cringed as he remembered the Captain America shirt he had on over the formfitting suit, glad he’d put that on but also wishing he’d chosen something less childish. He never imagined anyone would actually see the shirt he wore as a boost to his ego. Not that his embarrassment mattered at the moment.

“Hey, buddy. Why don’t you lay your head on my lap for a while?” Marshall rubbed his son’s small shoulder and eased him to his lap.

What else could he do to help? He grabbed the knitted beanie stuffed in the dashboard’s corner. It smelled of sweat and dirt, but if Lena said they needed a disguise, he’d follow suit. He put the sunglasses on that had been next to the beanie and turned to her.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Watch the mirror. If you see someone continually taking the same turns as us, let me know.” She pulled out her phone, the screen coming to life.

Marshall growled. “Did anyone listen to me about leaving their phones?”

Lena rolled her eyes. “Oh, thank God you haven’t left yet.” The relief in her voice was unexpected as she slid the phone in the holder clipped to the truck’s vents and turned on the speaker.

Just who was she talking to?

“You missed me that much?” The cocky tone grated on Marshall’s already fraying nerves.

He watched in the mirror as she took a turn, scanning the scant cars behind, his ribs seeming too tight as his breathing slowed. He was ill-equipped for this. He should have done more training instead of relying on others to protect him. All he knew about watching for tails he learned through movies. He doubted his lessons were thorough enough for the nightmare they were now in.

“I’m heading your way. We need an escape that’s off the books.” Lena turned down another side street.

“What happened?” The man’s arrogant voice turned to steel.

“I’ll fill you in when we’re in the air. Text me the address. We’ll be there in less than thirty, and you better be ready to take off.”

“Dang it, Len—”

She disconnected the phone and peeked at Carter before pulling her gaze up to Marshall’s. “See anything back there?”

Marshall peered behind them one more time before shaking his head. “No. At least, I don’t think so. Everything I know about enemy evasion, I learned from Jason Bourne.”

Lena laughed as she turned from Hastings Avenue to 15th Street. The sound tinkled in his ears and skittered along his skin. Had he ever heard her laugh before? Maybe, but never in a way that sounded so unguarded. She stopped at a red light, scanning all three mirrors and surrounding vehicles before her eyes slid to Carter.

“He fell asleep?” Lena’s soft expression captivated Marshall as she slid her hand down Carter’s arm and curled her fingers around his hand.

How had he thought she was void of emotion? Why did she hide behind the wall of aggravation when she was with him? But, more importantly, why did it suddenly matter so much to Marshall that her reactions to him change?

“I’ll get us out of this, Marshall.” His name on her lips spread warmth through his stomach like he’d just taken a shot of espresso. “I promise. I won’t let anything happen to him.”

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