Page 18 of Beautiful Secrets

I wrinkle my nose when smoke fills the cabin, but then Cole opens the window and the brisk night air pours in and washes it out. He starts slowing down.

The car behind us honks.

He sticks his hand out the window and gestures for them to go around.

“Wait for it,” he murmurs. My eyes dart back to the mirror, and my stomach coils at the mischievous glint in his eyes.

The phone rings.

He answers with a sigh. “Just go the fuck around.”

“What’s up mate?”

“Having a smoke.”

“You need to fucking pull over for that?”

“These meds give me the shakes. Don’t need to burn another hole in my fucking balls.”

There’s a burst of laughter before Cole ends the call, then the sleek black car tears past us with a loud honk. Cole throws them the finger.

A few seconds later, their red tail lights wink out over a low rise in the tar road.

“Better now you got me all to yourself?” he asks.

My hand is aching, so I lower the gun a little. “How far is the airport?”

He sucks on his cigarette before replying. “Got this all figured out, don’t ya?”

“Yes.” I push the gun back against his head. “Now shut up and keep driving.”

He does as I say…but only for about five seconds. “It’s just…with all the extra security at airports these days…”

I frown hard at his reflection in the mirror. “What are you saying?”

“I’m not saying you look like a terrorist, but you could definitely be one in training, what with your hood up like that.”

He turns onto a main road. Here, traffic lights paint the interior of the car in vibrant reds and greens. I lower the gun, pressing it into his side instead. I cannot take a chance that someone might call the police.

Silence filters between us as he drives. He eventually gets onto a freeway, and that gives me hope. Logically, this would be the way to the airport, right? We’re driving for almost an hour before he speaks again.

“Could at least put on some clean clothes, right?”

“What is wrong with my clothing?”

“So you’re fine with being frisked?”

I lick my lips, chew on the bottom one. “I am leaving on that plane tonight!”

“Look, lady, I’m just trying to help.” Cole puts on the indicator and turns off the freeway.

I do a double take. “Where are you going?” I snap, whipping my head around as we pass through the entrance of a massive building.

“Relax. There’ll be plenty of time for you to catch your flight.”

“Turn back or—”

“You’ll shoot me?” Cole slows the car. Up ahead, a man wearing a dark uniform with gold accents steps off the sidewalk. I assume he works at the hotel we are stopping outside of. “I wouldn’t recommend it. Too many witnesses.”