Page 2 of The Savior

“People do weird things on the Metro.”

That didn’t make Liam any more comfortable. The overhead speakers crackled with the announcement of the next stop, and the cars slowed. Liam tapped his foot, hoping the old man would get off at the next stop. If he didn’t, maybe they would switch trains.

The doors opened. The influx and exit of riders freed up new seats. Still, the older man didn’t take one.

“Let’s get off here,” Liam suggested.

“I thought we were getting off at—”

The doors closed again. He tapped his teeth together. The prospect of proposing had made him paranoid. “Never mind.” Then he captured the older man’s gaze and gestured to the seats. “Open seat now, buddy.”

Julia shifted uncomfortably, and her eyes bugged. “Let him be.”

“No need,” the man responded with a thick accent then smiled at Julia. “Are you a reporter for the Post?”

“I am.” She smiled and scooted to the edge of her seat.

Liam’s neck hairs stood on end, and he placed a protective hand on her knee, urging her back.

She gave Liam a quick glance but had her attention pulled back as the man asked, “You’re Julia Nyman?”

As he tightened his grip, Liam felt his heart pound without reason. They were having a simple conversation. Julia’s picture had accompanied her reports before.

Her head tilted. “I am. Have you read—”

But that was all the small talk the man offered. He gave her a wave and took a seat several rows up so that he’d still face them.

Mental warning bells chimed. Flattening his lips, he took Julia’s hand. “We have to go.”

“We can’t go anywhere right now,” she said, pointing out the obvious as the Metro continued. “What is your problem tonight?”

It had been proposing. Now? Liam glanced the length of the car. “Call it a feeling.”

The speakers crackled and announced a temporary hold for single tracking. Dammit. He wanted off that train.

Adrenaline surged. He pulled out his phone—no cell service—then returned it to his pocket. The man had been staring down the car, beyond them.

Liam twisted and followed the man’s line of sight. This time, another person made Liam’s skin crawl. The second man held no expression but wore a long overcoat. The nighttime temperatures were dropping but not enough to warrant another layer of clothes.

His instinct shouted that there was a threat, but when he turned for the old man, Liam saw that he’d taken a book out, and the new man stared blankly ahead.

Either the man in the coat was a threat, or Liam had lost his mind. He calculated the distance to Metro Center, the most densely packed station, and wondered when the hell they’d start moving again. His thoughts raced as he suddenly questioned whether proposal nerves caused paranoia or he’d never had a more mission-critical moment in his life.What is under that asshole’s jacket?

Fuck it.Liam nuzzled against Julia’s cheek, and she jumped at the unusual public display of affection.

“Listen,” he whispered.

“What are you—”

“Listen to me.”

Julia froze. She had to know something was wrong. He’d never spoken to her like that before.

“I need to check on someone.”

“Who?”

“No one. I’m sure. I just have to double-check.” Because his gut instinct was never wrong.

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