Page 98 of Ruthless Commander

There was something going on with her, something she wasn’t telling me about.

Something that was eating her up inside.

Maybe it was me?

I swallowed hard as an ache bloomed in the center of my chest and I tried to catch her gaze. Xael was a woman who would be exactly where she wanted to be, and if that wasn’t here, with me in this marriage, then I guess I’d find out soon, one way or another.

I turned my head and stared out at the harsh sunlight and the cars that sped past. The thought of losing her was almost as brutal as the thought of making her stay. She finished her meal and drank her coke, then rose.

I followed and paid the bill before we headed out and climbed back into the car.

I drove while she stared out the window.

I drove while she slept.

And as the road blurred and we passed city after city and town after town, I grew weary. Cars passed us in a blur until finally, the sun slowly went down. Oncoming headlights flared, making me wince.

“Mateo.”

I flinched and turned my head, finding her staring at me. “Yeah?”

“I said you need to pull over.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m fine, I…”

“Stop being so goddamn stubborn for once.” She snapped. “Let me in. Let me…help you.”

There was pain in her voice. Deep, cutting pain.

I nodded, giving in. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

I hit the turn signal and pulled into a rest stop on the edge of the road. Pebbles kicked up as I braked and came to a stop. She said nothing, just climbed out of the car and walked around as I did the same. Then she slid behind the wheel, leaving me staring at her.

The driver’s door closed.

My throat ached as I pulled the seatbelt across me and she drove out, accelerating hard once we hit the pavement. I didn’t have to tell her how desperate I felt to find my brother. She just knew, pushing the Audi hard, then glanced at me, her gaze saying enough.

Sleep.

You need it.

I closed my eyes, just for her. But I knew I wouldn’t sleep. I knew I wouldn’t—

* * *

I jolted,surfacing slowly. Then I came to with a rush and cracked open my eyes. Light flickered, glinting between the trees. I looked around at the brightening view. “How long was I out?”

“About six hours.”

I jerked my gaze to hers. “Six hours?”

“I was just about to wake you.” She gave a nod toward a sign that barrelled toward us.

Welcome to Colorado.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through me. I looked at Xael and was slammed with a wash of emotions. Gratitude and love made my heart thud louder, so loud it was hard to speak. Still, I swallowed and managed. “We’re not far away.”

She glanced at the GPS, then back to the road. “About an hour by the looks of the map.”