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“Typical.” She laughed. “You should have said don’t look, but we’ve got a situation.”
“Put your shrink hat on. You still think that’s what would have happened?”
She shook her head. “No. I would have checked.”
“That was my dilemma. Though you weren’t a problem.” He snuck a glance at her. Picture perfect composure. “I’d run them off the road, but these dog-leg turns are tricky, and you’re in the car. So we don’t out run ‘em. We draw them out and eliminate the problem.”
“Eliminate the problem?”
Winters tilted his head. Spelling it out wasn’t going to happen. She could use her imagination if she needed further clarification.
“Extrapolate, Mia.” He massaged his neck, pushing away tension. “They’ve sped past us, dropped back, and paced us, maintaining a variable visual since we crossed the state line. Next time they drop back, I’ll pull into a truck stop. They’ll find us. Guaranteed. I’ll deal with the situation, and we’ll hit the road again. Sound like a plan?”
She jutted her chin up. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll handle fine. I’m not helpless.”
“I noticed that about fifteen hours ago.”
He reached over to put his hand over hers, interlacing their fingers. Tingles skipped up his arm. He hadn’t pulled a move like that since he got a set of wheels in high school. His end goal had been trying to nail some action. Her hand squeezed his, cascading another rush of sensation along his skin. Maybe his goals hadn’t changed that much, but it felt a little bizarre. Less about the end goal and more about the moment. Or some shit like that.
Mia turned in her seat, still keeping her hand in his. “You’re so casual.”
“You want me to get all triggered up?” He checked the mirror for the tails again. He’d be ready, even if the woman next to him was distraction-worthy.
“You’re acting like someone isn’t trying to kill us.”
“It’s not the first time, and it’s sure as hell not going to be the last. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” God help the men chasing her. “And I don’t scare.”
His thumb caressed the top of her hand. Engaging the enemy was an expected part of his operational to do list, but it must have been a nightmare for her. He wanted her to feel safe with him. He wanted her to trust him.
“But I’m scared, Colby.” Mia chewed her bottom lip.
“I know you are. Don’t worry. I promise you, it’ll be okay.” He tightened his grip and brought her fist to his mouth. He kissed her knuckles and pressed her folded fingers against his lips. She was sweet, but under it all, she was a woman who could hold her own. He should have known that when she wielded her kneecap as a weapon. Mia blasted every one of his preconceived notions. Untrained women in the field weren’t weak as he assumed.
A motel sign illuminated the night with a flashing neon sign. Vacancy. Truckers welcome. Free cable. Karaoke bar. He eased the car off the highway and into a parking lot lined with a handful of big rigs.
He put the car in park in front of the motel. “You’re coming with me. I’m not leaving you alone again.”
She crunched her feet against a fast food bag. “I don’t have shoes to wear.”
“Them’s the breaks, doll. Barefoot and safe. Come on now. We’ll be fast.” The plan he was piecing together didn’t allow much time. Convincing her to move wasn’t in the plan at all.
“I’m going to stand out. My clothes are tattered.” She stared down and rubbed her hands over the shirt.
His lips pressed into a tight line, and he resisted the urge to grab and carry her around again. They were past that type of interaction. But it would’ve been far more expedient. Coaxing wasn’t his forte, and he had to make fast work of it. He took a deep breath.
“Honey, this truck stop has seen far worse. Trust me. And if someone pays too much attention to you, I’ll distract them. Hell, I might just pummel their face.”
She tilted her head, her hair obscuring part of her smile. “I thought you were always calm in the face of danger.”
He tried not to blow out a frustrated breath but failed in grand fashion. Time was speeding by, and she still hadn’t moved. “Undue attention at your expense is their mistake. As far as anyone is concerned, you’re mine. You’rewithme. And I’d consider it a personal affront if they looked at you any way you don’t like. Or any way I don’t like.”
His blood felt thick in his veins. Given their day, he would’ve considered killing someone who even offended her, and he wouldn’t have been sorry about it. That was who he was, a warrior, and she was… Mia was a priority.
“Oh.” She opened her door a crack, signaling her willingness to make a public appearance, and turned back to him. “All right. Let’s do this.”
She smoothed her hands over her sweater. Even barefoot in mussed up clothes, she personified grace. Check that. The woman defined understated sexy. He didn’t know why it wasn’t so apparent at first.
The torn shirt worked for his attention. It’d be so easy to finish the rip, tearing it off of her. Fuck, man, he couldn’t tear his eyes from her body. She might have been a priority, but she was the best looking one he’d ever seen.