Page 25 of I Am Salvation

She shakes her head. “You wouldn’t even believe it if I told you.”

“I just sent you a text.” I pat my phone inside my pants pocket. “I’m taking off for a few days.”

“Why?”

“It’s…personal.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yeah, I’ll be back by Thursday afternoon. I have to be. Your friend Antonio called and said that’s when I’ll be starting my lessons. That evening.”

“Oh. I see.”

I cock my head at her. “Are you going to answer me?”

“Sorry, what?”

“Why aren’t you at work?”

She shrugs. “Seems I don’t have a position there anymore.”

I stop my jaw from dropping.

“What the hell happened, Diana?”

“Like I said, you wouldn’t believe it. Where are you going, anyway?”

“Taos. It’s in New Mexico.”

She exhales sharply through her nose. “I know where Taos is, Dragon. It’s a cute little town. Very artsy.”

“Great. I’ll check out some galleries.” Except I won’t. I don’t give a shit about art. I’ll be checking out my parents.

“How are you going to get there?”

“I rented a car. Jesse loaned me some money.”

“You know what?” She lets out a sigh and puts her hands on her hips. “Give me about five minutes to get out of these stupid work clothes, and I’ll go with you. We’ll take my car. You don’t need to rent a car.”

I shake my head. “Diana… I said it’s personal.”

“And I suddenly find myself with a car on my hands and nothing better to do. So I’m going with you, Dragon.”

I open my mouth to argue, but then I close it.

It will be nice to have her company. Being with her makes things better. God knows I’ll need something to keep my spirits up during this trip.

The only problem?

It may mean leveling with her.

But I don’t have to level with her yet. I’ll still need some of the money Jesse wired me for a hotel room, but I’ll be able to give most of it back.

While Diana is changing and packing a bag, I pull up my map app. A little under five hours to Taos.

Five hours in a car with Diana Steel.

I don’t hate the idea.

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