Chapter 5 #3
“No. But you will obey every rule. Period.” I took the exit, scanning the dark and otherwise deserted road as I headed toward the brightly lit truck stop. There were at least four dozen rigs in the massive aging lot, the majority likely parked for the night.
“What are we doing here?” Now her words were completely perfunctory, said without emotion.
“I need to know where I’m going.”
“And where is that?”
“A safe place. You ask too many questions.” As I pulled into a dimly lit area, just enough light to see the address, I felt the heat of her stare.
“Can I at least go to the bathroom?”
I glanced at the mostly glass facility, able to see the bathrooms from where the car was positioned. “I can’t trust you.”
“And I can’t trust you. I don’t even know who you are, at least not really. But don’t worry. I have no money, no cellphone.”
After a quick snap of my hand against the seatbelt, I shifted in her direction, giving her a stern look.
She shrank back in her seat, her lower lip quivering. “You scare me.”
“That’s good because I’m a dangerous man. I’ll escort you inside.”
“You’re that worried I’ll manage to escape, maybe going with one of the burly truckers? Or maybe you think I’ll tell the clerk you abducted me.” The rebellion in her voice was both irritating and arousing.
“What I’m doing is trying to keep you safe. You need to hear me clearly. You can’t return to Waltham. Not now. Maybe not ever. And I’m the only man capable of keeping you alive.”
Swallowing, her eyes pierced mine, the look she gave me as if she was trying to search my soul. She’d soon learn that a man like me didn’t have one.
That had been the first thing to be stripped away.
“Okay.” Trembling, she waited until I opened the door before doing so herself.
I slipped my weapon into the back of my jeans before climbing out, scanning the parking lot.
When a car pulled in, I backed into the shadows until I was able to see in through the passenger window as the family drove past. As I took long strides around to the other side, I held out my hand.
When she grasped my fingers, I pulled her close, lowering my voice so no one else would be able to hear me.
“You’re going to act as if we’re a nice couple stopping for a rest and nothing more. You got it?”
“Yes, I do.”
When I led her inside, at least a half dozen people shifted their attention in our direction. This would be the last stop in a busy location. At least no one bothered us as we walked down the hallway toward the restrooms.
“Don’t take too long.” After she walked inside, I glanced at the note from Travis then programmed the address into the burner phone. It would still take a good ten hours given the likelihood of rough terrain. Hell, the best thing to do was stop for the night.
I stood in the dim fluorescent light, watching the comings and goings of several people.
When she hadn’t returned in almost five minutes, I was finished waiting.
I pushed open the door, hissing when I noticed the little vixen had climbed outside the small bathroom window. Goddamn it. I should have known better.
After rushing outside, I flew around the side, able to catch a glimpse of her running toward the rundown motel located a few hundred yards away.
Within a few seconds, I managed to catch up with her, snagging her arm and ripping her back against my chest. I snapped my hand over her mouth as she struggled in my hold.
“That wasn’t very nice of you, Chloe. That’s going to cost you. We’re going back to the car. If I have to tie you down, that’s exactly what I will do. If you continue to make a scene, you will be gagged as well for the rest of our trip. Nod if you understand what I’m telling you.”
She grabbed my arm, digging her fingernails into my skin. If the woman thought she was actually causing any pain, she truly had no idea who she was dealing with or what I’d been forced to endure. Maybe a few stories would help her understand.
“I’m running out of patience,” I whispered. The feel of having her in my arms made my balls tighten. I was already far too aroused, the longing building to a breaking point.
Her chest heaving, she finally nodded, although she refused to give up her hold.
“That’s better. Maybe you can be a nice girl. I’m going to release my hold. I suggest you keep quiet.”
“Yes, sir.”
To her credit, she didn’t try to break free from me again.
After shoving her in the car, I popped open the trunk, unzipping one of the bags.
I’d always maintained an emergency kit in my vehicles for purposes such as this.
When I pulled a piece of rope into my hand, I took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since I’d done anything like this.
I jumped into the car, starting the engine. “Give me your hands.”
“You’re really going to tie me up?” For the first time, I could hear fear in her voice.
“For the time being. When we get to a motel, I’ll consider untying you. If you’re a good girl.”
“My God. You’re a monster.” She threw out her arms, fisting her hands.
“Yes, I am.” I quickly did a knot, concerned someone had seen the incident in the parking lot. Then I wasted no time rolling out of the truck stop.
For a few minutes, she remained completely quiet, staring out the window. I could tell she was trembling, shifting her wrists in a test of my rope skills.
“That’s only going to chafe your skin.”
“Why should I give a shit? You’re only going to kill me.”
Exhaling, I twisted my hand around the steering wheel. “I’m not going to kill you, Chloe. You have nothing to do with this.”
“Then why did you capture me?”
“Because you became collateral damage the minute you backtalked the Russians in the diner.”
There were another few minutes of silence, allowing me to hear her scattered breathing. What the fuck was I doing? The assholes wouldn’t stop until they hunted me down. By then, I’d have to figure out how to keep her safe.
“What do they want with you?”
While it was much better the less Chloe knew, it was certainly fair for her to understand what we were facing. “To eliminate any possibility that I will become the Pakhan.”
“Who is trying to kill you?”
“If the information I received is correct, a powerful Bratva from another area in Russia.”
“But you don’t believe that.”
I snickered. “No, I do not. I believe my brother is trying to have me assassinated.”
“And what do you plan to do?”
There was no hesitation. I knew what had to be done. “I will make him pay for what he’s done, taking my time inflicting as much pain as possible. Then I will eliminate him.”