Page 79 of Clawed
Her friends had insisted she install a tracking app on the device, which essentially meant the two of them knew where she was at any given moment.It was like being captured all over again, but instead of paddles and chains, she was being killed by their kind intentions.
“I’ll come with you.”Milly shot Shannon a warning look.“We can talk about what all this means.”
“Let’s all go,” Shannon suggested.“I could do with stretching my legs.”
“No!”She blurted the word a little too aggressively.“Please,” she added, catching sight of her friend’s shocked expressions.“I just need some time on my own to think things through.”
Milly and Shannon exchanged worried looks.
“But wh-what if he’s out there?”Milly stammered.
“You heard the police.”Hannah pulled on her jacket.“He’s not.”
She wished he was.At least she could see him, could talk to him about what her crazy emotions meant.Much more waiting and wondering if she’d conjured the entire fucked-up scenario in her head and she might truly need that psychiatrist.
“That’s not what they said,” Milly countered.“Willington just said they couldn’t find him.
“And the police have been wrong before,” Shannon reminded her.“He could be lurking anywhere.”
“Listen, I won’t go far, and you can track me all the way.”Hannah waved her phone at them.“Please, girls.I love you, but I need some time to myself.”
“Okay.”It was Milly’s turn to sigh.“But please don’t be long.We worry about you, Han.”
“I know.”Hannah forced a smile.“But I’m a big girl.I’ll be okay.”
She’d survived a lot worse than one solitary walk, and they knew it.
They all knew it.
“Fine.”Shannon gestured to the door.“Just...take care.”
“I will.”Hannah embraced her friends one at a time.“Thank you.”
Pulling in a steadying breath, she reached for the door handle and dashed for freedom.
***
SHE’D BEEN ON AN EXTENDEDloop of Shannon’s apartment block for about ten minutes when she noticed the car crawling by the edge of the sidewalk.At first, she ignored the vehicle, assuming it was only another inept motorist, but when the driver continued to follow her along the street, she finally glanced in their direction.
At first, nothing was amiss.The car was old and crappy.Nothing new there.The roads were crammed with them, and tucked on the opposite side from her, the driver’s identity wasn’t obvious from the path.It was only when the vehicle slowed to a virtual halt and insisted other cars maneuver around it that Hannah’s curiosity was piqued.
Sliding her headphones around her neck, she took a step toward the curb and peered at the person behind the wheel.Discernibly male, with large hands and a well-built-looking body, the driver wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, but something about his profile inspired her heart to skip a beat.
Lawes!
Instinctively, she knew it was him.Even though he hadn’t got out of the car or even looked her way, she recognized the resonance of his energy.
As though he’d read her mind, the glass of the window nearest her abruptly rolled down, inviting her closer.
“Do you need directions?”She bit her lip at her mischievous inquiry.She knew who he was, but after being taken unawares twice by Lawes, she wasn’t going to make it too easy for him to have her a third time.
“Actually, yes.”His dulcet tone confirmed everything she already knew.“Do you know how to get my little girl into this car?We need to talk.”
He turned then, his lips curling as he removed the sunglasses obscuring his handsome face.A thousand unspoken words passed between them when their gazes locked—excitement, fear, and shock swirling around her—but all she could really feel in the intensity of that moment was relief.He was back.He wanted to talk.Maybe finally, she could have peace.
“I can’t be found idling here.I’m a wanted man.”
“Yes, you are.”Her breathy reply conveyed her double meaning.“But I can’t get in the car with you, sir.My phone is being tracked, and a spontaneous drive will rouse suspicion I could do without.”
