Page 10 of Outbreak (Revolution X #1)

CHAPTER 9

Ghost

I t takes more effort than I’d like to admit not to rip my mask off right there and show her just how much I really know about her in this parking lot. But I’ve come this far; I’m going to see this through… my way.

That doesn’t negate the fact that my dick is so hard it could cut glass right now. I just need a minute before I close myself up with her inside the truck again. Her mouth might be the death of me. I didn’t realize until now just how much her smartass mouth turns me on. She’s got grit; I’ll give her that. I’ve made grown men piss themselves at the sight of me in this mask, but not my little Death. She’s got a fire inside her that can’t be snuffed out easily. And trust me, I know her history—plenty have tried.

She feels things differently than others. Deeper and more intense. I didn’t fully understand it back then—and maybe I still don't—but it’s just how she is. It’s something I love about her. There’s no one else like her in the whole world.

I spent years trying to burn her out of my mind—burying myself in jobs and nameless women. Nothing worked. She’s ingrained in my soul so deeply that I can’t shake her. And now that I have her back, I’ll chain her to my side if that’s what it takes to keep her. She isn’t going anywhere. Whether she likes it or not, that’s not my problem.

Shaking my head to clear my mind, I push off the side of the truck and reach into the bed, grabbing one of my duffles, the bag from the store, and the gas can I tossed in earlier when my little captive decided to take a field trip without me. I sit it all on the ground and grab a bottle of water and an old t-shirt out, dousing my hands and scrubbing off the dead guy’s blood and dirt. I need to change my clothes, but that can wait until we get a little further away. I toss the bottle in the garbage with the ruined shirt, grab the rest of my stuff, and walk around the back of the truck. I top off my gas tank and pump the extra five gallons I paid for into the can before securing it in the bed with a small strap. I take a deep breath, pulling the driver door open and climbing inside.

“You don’t seriously expect me to ride like this, do you? I can’t even put my arm down.”

Choosing to ignore her grumbling, I dig the keys out of my pocket and crank the truck. She just huffs and sits back against the seat the best she can, twisting her hips to allow her to rest partly on the door. Good. She better get comfortable. This will be a long drive, and she’s not doing herself any favors to earn her any comfort.

I can feel her eyes burning into the side of my face, but I don’t engage. I want her to feel like I’ve felt all these years, with nothing but silence from her. She betrayed me, and it would do me well to remember that.

The truck bounces over the potholes in the parking lot that I don’t even try to miss on the way out, earning me a line of very nasty curses from her.

“I think you missed one if you wanna turn around and try again, asshole,” she sasses back as she grips the ‘oh shit’ handle she’s cuffed to with both hands.

Still, I ignore her, turning onto the paved road as I pull out my phone and restart the GPS. I know how to get to the cabin on the interstates, but since we’re sticking to backroads, I need to know my way around the heavily populated areas.

“Where are you taking me?” She questions, when the GPS starts speaking aloud, telling me to keep on this road for the next 10 miles.

No response. I can feel her agitation with me grow by the second, filling the cab of this truck with her adorable anger.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Silence.

“What’s your plan here?”

Silence.

“Really? You’re giving me the silent treatment now? What are you, twelve? Tell me what the fuck is going on! Where are we going? Why the fuck did you kidnap me? And why the fuck are you wearing that ridiculous fucking mask? Who are you?”

She’s fucking fuming, and I love it. Ignoring her is just the beginning of her punishment. I’ve got four years worth of pent-up anger over her betrayal to make up for.

“So many questions, Rue,” I taunt while reaching into the bag from the store and grabbing an energy drink and a bag of gummy worms. I toss the bag into her lap and sit the semi-cold can in her cup holder. “This is going to be a long trip. Get comfy.”