Page 20 of Run Little Killer
"Do you always run like you just killed someone?" he jokes.
"Ha," I squeak out nervously, trying to think of a lie. "Just have to pee."
His brow raises in the slightest as he studies my face. "Okay," he says, sounding less than convinced as he releases his hold.
The silence is deafening as we walk the rest of the way to the room. Nix's feet are propped on the table when we enter, and I set my coffee and donuts down before promptly locking myself in the bathroom.
I toss down the toothbrush and comb and twist the faucet handle all the way to the right. Cold water streams down into the basin as I bend down and splash it across my face.
I'm not caught. Nobody knows it was me.
My pulse starts to slow as I repeat the words to myself like a mantra, straightening as I grab the towel and pat my face. Scooting the blow dryer over, I grab a tube of toothpaste from one of the guy’s toiletry bags and unwrap the toothbrush. I zone out, methodically brushing my teeth and combing my hair. Forcing the last of my anxious feelings into a tiny little box and shoving it into the recesses of my mind.
"I need to get going," I announce, stepping back into the room and shoving what few things I have into a plastic sack.
"And where are you going again, little killer?" Nix asks, boots thudding on the floor as he tips forward in his chair.
"Englewood," I state boredly, not bothering to look up as I slip my feet into the new sneakers.
"You're in luck, found out we're headed that way now," Rhett says, tugging a t-shirt on over his head. "We'll give you a ride."
"Oh no, that's okay. I need to get back to my truck and- "
"We know it's not yours."
"What?" I blanch, voice barely above a whisper.
Rhett folds his thick, tattooed arms across his chest, voice stern. "We know it's not your truck, Lennon."
My face remains impassive as panic floods my system.Shit, they know.
"Fine," I grit out. "I'll just go ask one of the truckers to give me a lift."
"The hell you will," Nix fires back. He pushes to his feet, quickly eating up the distance between us until he's right beside me.
I lunge toward the door, desperate to get away. My fingers scrabble for the knob as his palm splays across the top of the wood, forcing the door shut.
"Let me out!" I growl, jaw tensing as I curl my hand around the knob. Hinges creak, followed by a series of thumps as I rattle the door.
"Christ," Nix grumbles as he steps forward, dipping down, burying his shoulder into my stomach as he bands an arm around my thighs, picking me up in one swift motion.
Before I can object, he picks me up and swiftly dumps me on the bed, ass landing in the mess of blankets atop it.
"You don't have to tell us what you’re running from," he says, carding a hand through his hair. His thumb and forefinger grip my chin, roughly jerking it up as he adds, “but you sure as hell aren't doing it alone."
9
LENNON
"Ready darlin'?" Rhett asks, twisting the handlebars and leaning his motorcycle upright.
"Yup," I respond, popping the P as I loop my arms around his waist.
Rhett reaches back, heat licking up my spine as his hands clasp down on my thighs, pulling me flush against him. The bike rocks as he kicks back the side stand, my whole body thrumming when he revs the engine to life. My heart lurches into my throat as we jerk forward and follow Nix out of the parking lot and back onto the highway.
Rhett pulls up beside Nix, matching his speed as they share the lane. I turn my head to the side, watching the trees blur past. I don't know where we're going or why they're suddenly heading in the same direction as me, but I'd bet it has something to do with the phone call that pulled Rhett out of bed this morning.
Not that it really matters. They didn't pry into my agenda, so I’ll give them the same courtesy. At least we’re on the road. After hearing the receptionist talk about Chad, I knew that I needed to get the hell out of there. I did a shitjob at planning past my escape, and it keeps coming back to bite me in the ass.
