Page 77 of Nowhere to Hide

But I was still hobbling around, so there wasn’t much use fighting with him.

I did find a fat stack of new books in the bottom of the bag. He’d been paying attention to the books I enjoyed. The twistypsychological thrillers of Harlan Coben were my favorites. And I’d laughed at the romance novel he’d added. It was at the top of the best seller’s list and a doorstop with over six hundred pages.

I devoured it.

At my job I’d rarely had time to read.

Considering my leg was still throbbing when I walked too much on my own, I took the time to let myself heal. I figured I’d be bored, but soaking up the sunny July days were doing my mind wonders. The nightmares had abated to only a few times a week.

And each time, Locke sat with me without a word.

He didn’t touch me anymore.

Even when the nightmares were thick and wicked, he simply sat next to me.

It helped, even if I ached for his arms. I knew he was dealing with his own demons and was grateful for somewhere to heal and stay.

We checked in with Stone every Thursday, but neither of us had anything to update. My memories were still spotty. Officer Stone wanted me to work with a sketch artist, but all I had were inky black eyes and macabre teeth. Nightmare fuel, but it wouldn’t help Stone with a suspect.

However, today, we’d be seeing him in person.

I had to get my staples out.

We weren’t going to Pickering. Instead, we headed for Boston Harbor. We were going to take the ferry to Salem in hopes that we’d stay under the radar.

I just finished braiding my hair when Locke came to find me. We kept the doors to our rooms open just in case I needed anything. I was getting stronger by the day, but I still needed help with the stairs.

The only time he touched me.

The one thing I looked forward during my days, sad as that was.

He filled the doorway, wearing a pair of beat up jeans and tight black T-shirt. Instead of his usual bare feet, he had sturdy boots on. His beard was still unruly and made me hot just looking at him.

“Ready?”

I nodded and gathered up the makeup strewn across the bottom of my bed.

His gaze tracked over my loose navy maxi dress with tiny white daisies. It was a bit big on me and kept dropping off one shoulder, but it was comfortable against the heat of the day. I wore a white tank under it and felt a bit restricted. I’d been living in my bikinis and oversized T-shirts and shorts.

I used my lip gloss to add a little color to my lips. “Nice to pretend I’m a girl today.”

He grunted. “No pretend necessary.”

I peered over my compact. “Was that a hidden compliment?”

“You know you look good.”

“Right. With my choppy hair that looks like a toddler gave me a haircut, yellow bruises on my neck, and hacked up leg. I’m a stunner.” I snapped my compact shut then tucked both into my makeup bag.

He came a few steps into the room. “You’re healing.” He stopped in front of me, his leg brushing mine, those misty forest eyes assessing. He lifted a hand to my chin, tipping it up with his thumb. “You stay with me today. Pretend I’m yours.”

I frowned. My heart kicking at the thought. “What?”

He cleared his throat. “Pretend we’re together. I don’t want you more than an inch away from me today.”

My throat suddenly dry, I wasn’t sure what to say to that.

His hand moved from my chin to hold out for me to take it. “It’s easier to look like we’re a couple on the ferry.”