Page 25 of Savage Protector

He backed away and grabbed his cell phone from the table. “No problem. We can exchange numbers and when you get home call me and I’ll pick you up. But wear something warm. It’s cooler up in the mountains and when the sun goes down it gets much chillier on the back of the bike. Bring what you need for overnight too so we don’t have to rush. It’s better that way and I know of a cabin we can use.”

He was talking so fast my head spun out of control. None of what he said made sense because I had no home to go back to. If I returned, the least that would happen was a rushed wedding. The worst I didn’t know. I could only imagine how angry my father was and what that might lead him to do.

And then there was Marco. I’d gotten a glimpse of his mean streak once and I hoped to never see it again.

“I—I can’t.”

He stopped abruptly. “What’s wrong?”

I brushed off his concern. “Nothing, and kind of everything. I can’t go home and change and I can’t go on a ride with you. I’m supposed to leave town today.”

His lips tightened.

I wanted so badly to reach out and wipe that scowl from his face. A moment ago he’d been so earnest in his desire to share his hometown with me and I’d ruined that. But what else was I supposed to do? Lie?

I was as sick of those as everything else.

“I can’t go back home because I have no home to go to. When I walked away yesterday, I kind of severed ties. I've probably been disowned.”

This time his brows pulled together as he thought about what I said. “Does this have to do with your father forcing you to marry some guy? Are you in danger?”

My heart sank. The hours of bliss with him were about to come crashing down on both of us. I’d forgotten what I said to him as I was falling asleep last night until he reminded me just now. Now he would expect an explanation.

“It’s complicated.”

“I’ve been a sniper for the US Government for almost ten years, trust me, I can handle complicated.”

I shook my head, trying to pull free from his hold. “I can’t. Not yet.”

“Izzy, you’re making this much harder than it needs to be. I’d like to help if I can, but I can’t do anything if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

I sighed. He was right. As much as I hated getting him involved, at the very least I could use his help getting out of town. I needed clothes and he could get them for me. I had more than enough money for any immediate incidentals. “How about we make a deal?”

“Depends on the deal,” he said, frowning.

“It’s sunny and gorgeous outside, I’m hungry and I’d like to have a little more fun before reality comes crashing down on us.” I looked up at him, biting my lip. “Can I have a couple of more hours where we don’t worry about anything more than that and then I’ll tell you what I can?”

He stared at me looking a lot like he wanted to argue with me. I really didn’t know what I was going to do. Telling him too much about my family could lead us both farther into danger. By running away I’d become a liability and I wasn’t too naive to realize that.

Push comes to shove, me keeping my mouth shut might mean the difference between a clean getaway and someone getting hurt. I wasn’t ever allowed to forget all that I learned about my father and his illegal dealings. Now I only needed to worry about whether he was concerned about what I might know.

Damn, this situation was complicated and getting worse by the minute. I really needed to think this through. I had zero experience in subterfuge with no clue what it took to disappear.

“How about brunch on the rooftop?”

I blinked, his question pulling me out of my maudlin thoughts. I focused on him and smiled. “That would be absolutely perfect.”

“Then we talk.”

I nodded, knowing I couldn’t tell him everything but would have to say something. And just like that I was back to needing a stupid plan.

First though, I wanted some real clothes.

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