Page 69

I knew now Nathaniel Knox would never hurt me. But the longer I lay in bed with him, the more I convinced myself that he would be better off without me. The Devils would be better off. All of Reno would be better off without Caroline Bates.
I should have gotten away from Knox as soon as I had the chance. Then my father would have kept his sights set on me, and the Devils never would have been brought into it.
What was done was done, sure, but I could make my own choices now.
I dressed in my nasty-ass clothes. The first thing I was going to do was buy something that channeled the Caroline I wanted to be.
That started with stealing Grant’s wallet, which he had given to Knox.
I slipped out of the room. Every step I took felt heavier with guilt, but I shoved it down. I had to focus ahead, not behind. It was the only way to survive.
Reno glittered in the distance. It still felt way too close, cloistering my senses.
I crossed the street to the convenience store. The florescent lights were too bright, and the whole place did not smell good at all, but they had basic shirts and shorts. I grabbed whatever size my hand touched first, snatched some chips, a brush, and deodorant, and shoved them all into a cheap tote bag with some touristy print, then used the self-checkout. I got a look from the cashier.
“What?” I snapped. “Never seen a girl on the run before?”
Deadpan, he shrugged. “Every day, lady. Long as you pay, I couldn’t give a flying fuck. Actually, go ahead and steal. I hate this place.”
I went into the small bathroom, which smelled disgusting and was out of paper towels. Thank fuck there was toilet paper and soap.
I dared look in the grimy mirror. I looked homeless.
I quickly looked away, peeling off the grimy clothes. Even though it felt gross, I kept my panties on, yanking on the generic blue shirt and poorly made jogging shorts. Trying to get the brush through my hair was a battle in itself, but I managed to make it look semi-decent in a ponytail with a rubber band I’d swiped off the checkout counter.
After washing my face with as much care as I could without causing too much pain to the tender skin, I left the store with my head held high.
I hailed a cab. My hand was on the handle when I sensed a presence behind me. I whirled, ready to claw their eyes out?—
Knox caught my wrist. He did not look happy. “After everything?”
I would have preferred a sock in the jaw; it would have hurt less.
I hated the relief that rushed through me at the sight of his bruised face. He looked like a UFC fighter—who had lost big time.
Why was I glad he caught me trying to flee into the night?
I tried to yank away, but it was halfhearted. “Let me go. That was the plan all along, remember? Get in a car and send me off. Boom. Done. We’re out of each other’s lives.”
“No, not done.” Knox knocked on the cab’s window and jerked his head in a clear, get outta here.
The driver peeled away.
I clenched my teeth. “The hell?”
Knox grabbed my upper arm with a firm, possessive grip—not enough to hurt, though. “We’re going back to the hotel,” he said.
I dug my heels in, stalling. “There’s basic clothes in there. You should get some. I’ll wait in the chip aisle.”
Knox looked at me like he was trying to look angry, but his lip twitched with amusement. “That’s hardly a convincing escape plan, baby girl. Yes, please pout like that, it’s adorable.”
I clamped my lips together, glaring. “I’m not adorable.”
“I think you are. At the very least, things you do are cute.”
Knox pulled my chest against his, leaning down to press his lips to my forehead softly. “Don’t leave, Caroline.”
I turned away and shivered. He noticed immediately.