Page 63 of Second Chance Savior

We’d made it a long way from the city, and we were no more than a couple of hours from the area where my parents lived. Which meant Hartley was only two to three hours away as well. But if we were sticking to these back roads, that travel time would increase significantly. The police were going to be swarming.

“We can’t go to Hartley,” I said. “That’s the first place they’ll look.”

“Agreed. I can’t risk going near my friends there. Guaranteed they’ll be followed, so we’re on our own for now. I’ll take you somewhere else. A place even the other Protectors don’t know about yet. It’s not ideal, but it’ll work.”

I drew in a shaky breath. “There’s another option.”

“Which is?”

“We split up. You can contact Brynn, have her come getme. She can keep me in some FBI safe house, and I can end this ridiculous manhunt for you.”

“No.”

I had known he wouldn’t like it. But the situation had changed radically. What we were dealing with now was pure insanity. “If you think about it, this makes sense.”

“It absolutely fucking does not.”

“They’re destroying your good name. Your reputation. I know firsthand how difficult that is to get back. And that’s best-case scenario. You could lose a lot more than that.”

“I don’t care,” he said tightly. “You’re playing into Stillwater’s hands. They want to flush you out of hiding. I won’t do it.”

“Pull over, River. Please. Just pull over and listen to me!”

The 4Runner swerved off the dirt into a patch of grass. All around us was nothing but wilderness. Stunningly beautiful. But horrifying scenes played out in my mind.

“The police think you’re a terrorist and a murderer! That you’re holding me hostage! The next time the police find us, even if they’re the good guys who aren’t working with Stillwater, they’re going to shoot to kill you. Don’t you dare tell me I’m wrong.”

He said nothing. Because he knew I was right.

Awful images scrolled in my head. A body in a pool of blood, like those I’d seen last night. But this time, it would be River. Those intense eyes snuffed out, staring at nothing.

“I can’t be responsible for that. I wouldn’t be able to take it.”

“Then I’d better make sure they don’t catch us.”

Such an arrogant non-answer. “Someone else could protect me. It doesn’t have to be you.”

“We have been over this, Charlie. Stillwater intends to hurt you. Do you expect me to sit back and let that happen?”

“I am grateful for everything you’ve done. But it’s enough.”

He slammed the flat of his hand against the steering wheel, making me jump. “It’snotenough, and it will never be enough.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been in love with you for half my life. You think that’s a choice? I don’t know how to stop.”

The cabin went quiet except for the sound of River’s breathing.

But the words he’d just shouted? They echoed.

“You’re not in love with me,” I choked out.

His head bowed. “I am.”

The silence stretched out. Everything I knew about River was trying to rewrite itself yet again. But I wasn’t ready for it. Shock didn’t begin to describe what was coursing through my veins. More like utter disbelief. And maybe…something bittersweet.

How could he say a thing like that, so fundamental, and just expect me to accept it? Like it was the answer to everything.

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