Page 15 of Defending You

This wasn’t some lowlife trying to cover his tracks. These guys had resources. Tracking a phone that quickly… That wasn’t average-Joe stuff. It was connected, organized.

How many enemies were out there?

He glanced at Cici, whose jaw was set despite the fear in her eyes. She was stubborn, opinionated, and far too attractiveto slip beyond anyone’s notice, despite the cheap wig and ugly sweatshirt.

The train was their best shot—public, crowded, a straight ride to Boston, where he could regroup and figure out who these thugs were.

But an itch between his shoulder blades had him scanning the space. Connected and organized… Were enemies here even now, watching?

“Stay close,” he muttered, more to himself than Cici.

The platform sign blinked above: Boston. Twelve minutes to go. Surely he could keep her alive until they boarded and got out of this cursed city.

CHAPTER FIVE

The train rumbled beneath Cici’s feet, a steady vibration that should’ve soothed her. She sat pressed against the window, the cool glass a lifeline to the outside world whipping by in streaks of dark and neon, her purse on her lap. The Amtrak coach smelled faintly of stale coffee and body odor.

The train was crowded this Friday night, mostly business travelers, probably headed home after a long work week.

They sat with the wall at their backs like Asher had requested, his broad frame sprawled beside her, one leg stretched into the aisle. His backpack sat between his boots, her suitcase in the compartment over the seat. For the first time since she’d bolted from Mr. D’s store, she could breathe—sort of.

She adjusted the itchy blond wig, resisting the urge to rip it off.

Asher scanned the car, his jaw set in that infuriatingly unreadable line. The guy hadn’t said more than ten words since they’d boarded, just grunted directions—sit here, stay put—like she was a disobedient puppy. She wasn’t used to being ordered around, but he’d gotten them out of Philly alive. She probably shouldn’t complain.

She shifted, tucking a leg under her. “Thanks. You know, for getting us this far. I didn’t think we’d make it.”

“Sorry you have to travel in such shabby accommodations.”

His words carried an undertone that she couldn’t read. “This is fine.”

“No private sleeping quarters.” She didn’t miss the hint of sarcasm.

“I didn’t ask for a private room so I could sleep. I thought it would be safer if we were behind a door. You know, out of sight.”

“Oh.”

“I can handle riding coach. I do it all the time.” Not on trains, but this train was more comfortable than a lot of flights she’d taken. “Anyway, I was just trying to thank you.”

He didn’t look at her, just dipped his chin once.

That was it? She waited, but he didn’t soften. “You’re not much for conversation, are you?”

He shrugged, not even sparing her a glance. “Guess you didn’t expect your shopping excursion to end like this. What were you doing in Philly anyway?”

She blinked. “Shopping excursion?”

“At the jewelry store.”

“I wasn’t shopping, Asher. I was working. I’m an appraiser.”

He turned just enough to meet her eyes, and she caught a flicker of surprise before it vanished behind that stony mask.

“What, did you figure I just shopped all the time? Flouncing around with Daddy’s credit card?”

Another shrug, casual but deliberate. “You’re rich. Why work when you’ve got all that money?”

She bristled, straightening in her seat. “My parents have money. My sisters and I all work very hard. For your information, I own my own business. I have contracts with stores all over the East Coast.”