Page 72 of The Villain

We drive like this for a while and when we get to the highway, I give her a nod to continue. She smiles happily and weirdly, that smile makes me happy. I keep my hand over hers even when shifting isn’t required. I’m just beginning to relax into this, into her not pulling away from me, into her not fighting me, when my phone rings. It’s Vivi’s ringtone or I might not answer.

She glances at me. “I’m fine. Go ahead.”

“Stay in the right lane.”

She sighs. “Boring.”

“Right lane,” I repeat.

“Fine.”

I dig my phone out of my pocket and answer. “Vivi, everything all right?”

I see Allegra glance my way.

“Everything is fine. Just wanted to let you know we’re on the plane. Angelo wanted to make sure you knew.”

“Thank you.”

“I gave Angelo a list of what we’ll need. How long do we have to stay away?”

“Not sure. Until I figure out who sent that package,” I say with a glance at Allegra. “Just relax and try to enjoy yourself.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“I know. Give me a few days. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.” I am careful with my words because Allegra may pretend she’s focused on the road, but she’s listening to every word.

“We’re going to take off in a few minutes. Let me get Gage settled.”

“All right. Let me know once you land.”

“I will.”

“It’s just to keep you all safe. You know that.”

She sighs. “I know, Cassian.”

We disconnect and I tuck the phone into my pocket. Allegra looks at me, eyebrows raised.

“Take the next exit. We’re just about there,” I say, the mood in the car shifted now.

She nods and exits the highway. One of the SUV’s pulls around us to drive ahead of us into the lot.

“Follow him,” I tell her, and she does, nodding. Wepull into the parking lot and follow the SUV to my spot. “There.” I point.

She slides the car into the spot, kills the ignition and turns to me. “See, I didn’t hit anything. That was fun actually.”

I rub my neck. “What? You didn’t expect to have fun with me?”

“Not really, no.”

I reach into the glove compartment to retrieve my Glock, slipping it into its holster before opening the door. My phone pings with a message. I pull it out of my pocket.

“Is it Vivi?” she asks.

I glance at her, noting her tone. She’s trying to be casual, but she’s not. “No, actually.” It’s Angelo telling me where he is. I type out a text to let him know we just arrived. “Let’s go in.” I climb out, close my door and by the time I walk around to open hers, she’s distant again.

“If they’re here because you think I’m going to make a run for it, I’m not.” She gestures to the soldiers climbing out of their SUVs.