Page 7 of Hitman's Prize

Should’ve pulled it up earlier, but it didn’t even cross my mind with everything going on. Now that my thoughts aren’t spiraling and I can think, I’m quick to reach back and grab it.

I can deal with the cold. I’m thick-skinned.

With Sammy’s bare legs and feet, I know it won’t be long before she’s shivering up a storm again. I give her the blanket, making sure not a single inch of her skin is exposed to the winter air. She sighs in her sleep when I tuck some beneath her chin.

Two hours. I’ll snag a nap and then get back on the road. We’ll stop somewhere and grab a bite. She’ll be starving by then. As long as she doesn’t try to run off while I’m sleeping, I’ll stop at whatever drive-thru she wants.

If she does run and makes the smart decision of putting space between us, I won’t hunt her down. I won’t use my skills to steal her again.I won’t.If the truck is empty, I’ll leave and keep going like I hadn’t run into the woman in the first place.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I force my eyes shut. If I don’t, then I’ll be wasting time watching the woman sleep sopeacefully. Though, watching her makes it easier to ignore the dread weighing down in my stomach.

Sammy

When I wake up, I’ve got a cramp in my neck. I can’t believe how easily I fell asleep. Opening my eyes, I discover the reason behind my peaceful slumber. It’s no wonder when I see the blanket on my body. What nice quality.

Javier is passed out next to me. There are goosebumps prickling up on his arms. Now that the sun is out, I can actually get a better look at the guy.

It’s not polite to stare but once I get to noticing the small details I missed before, I struggle to pull my eyes away.

He’s got a crooked nose and by the small slither of a scar above, I have to believe he broke it in the past. Definitely more than once. With tanned skin, the scars kind of just pop out and are hard to miss. He’s got a face I would notice immediately, that’s for sure. Though, I’m pretty sure the normal reaction is to look away when it comes to seeing such a dangerous guy.

When my eyes run down his neck and onto his shirt, I can’t help but wonder if he’s got scars everywhere. Without thinking, I lean forward and almost touch him. Before I make contact with his skin, I realize what I’m doing.

My cheeks burn at the images coming to mind. I really need to get my priorities straight here. This guy is outright dangerous, even if he was nice enough to put a blanket on me.

I ditch the blanket, giving it to him instead. I don’t know how long he’s been out, but at least he won’t have to worry aboutfreezing anymore. What in the world am I supposed to do until he wakes up?

How terrible am I for not immediately thinking about trying to get help? I’m a kidnapped victim after all. Definitely have to straighten out those priorities. Before that, I might as well snoop around.

Up front, there’s hardly anything. From the crushed cigarette wrappers I find, I know he’s a smoker. Honestly, I could smell it on his coat. Despite being familiar with the smell, I didn’t mind the way it clung close. It was mixed with his own scent and made it oddly tolerable.

Unsatisfied with my findings, I move my attention to the back. It takes some silent unbuckling and a little wiggling to get back there. Far more roomier if I say so myself. There’s a duffle bag on the floor and I don’t even try to avoid being nosey.

I find his wallet, a box of bullets, another gun, and some clothes. Perfect overnight bag put together for a sleepover. Rolling my eyes at that, I pull out a pair of sweatpants. Of course, they smell like him. Everything in the bag does.

I’m going to wear these because I’m tired of freezing. That, and I feel so exposed. If Javier complains, then he can take me somewhere to get appropriate apparel. They’re huge on me, no surprise, but it’s nothing a tight bow and rolled-up bottoms can’t fix. Since I’m already playing the role of a thief, I steal a shirt too.

Before I even think about exposing my top, I make sure Javier is still sleeping. I’ve got nothing underneath and I’m not going to go humiliating myself. When I see his eyes are still shut and his breathing is low and even, I go for it. Stuffing all the extra length of the shirt into the band of the sweats, I don’t stop there.

Thankful he’s got some thick socks hidden at the bottom, I tug those on too. Look at me go, turning into a criminal in a shorthandful of hours. Might as well pluck one of the twenties from his wallet while I’m at it too.

I pause when I spot his driver’s license. The guy is hitting his forties in two months. Who would’ve guessed? Double my age and another reason why I shouldn’t be getting butterflies whenever I look his way.

It’s a real shame I’m not keeping track of all those reasons.

I’m too hungry to care at the moment. We’re at a rest stop and I know there will be at least one vending machine inside with snacks. I can’t remember the last time I’d gotten to eat potato chips. I’m going to spend the whole bill and eat it all before Javier even notices I’m missing.

Leaving the truck as quietly as I can, the bottom of the socks soak as soon as I step out. Better than walking barefoot. Still wish I had some shoes. A hair tie would be nice too.

At this hour, people must still be waking up. There are a few semi trucks parked to the side and one other vehicle. Other than that, I’m on my own.

Strolling inside the building, I leave wet footprints with every step. Ignoring the odd look I get from the woman running the info desk, I take advantage of the bathroom inside. Who knows when I’ll get the chance again? I even splash my face a few times, hoping it’ll ease the bags under my eyes.

I lookrough.Like I’ve walked through hell and back. Almost there, but not quite. Gross.

When I leave, I find the vending machines and immediately forget about my appearance. I’m too busy drooling over the selection. So many flavors and different brands. Twenty bucks can get me a lot. Which do I get first? Maybe it’ll be possible for one of each.

A scarred finger appears, reaching over my shoulder and tapping the glass. While he’s pointing to the small bag ofFunyuns,I’m too busy jumping out of my skin to even consider getting them.

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