Chapter 19
The hum of the tirescarried them north.Annie sat squeezed between Hunter and Leigh, her shoulder pressed against his arm, her sister's warmth on the other side.
She glanced over her shoulder out the rear window of the truck.Baddy followed close behind, his headlight shining straight at her.She would've felt better if the twenty Royalla members who escorted them away from the clubhouse had stayed, surrounding the truck like a wall of steel.But one by one, they'd veered off I-5 at various exits, splitting in different directions.
If Jason were following, he wouldn't know which trail to pick in his quest to find Hunter.He could also return to the clubhouse if he managed to get a search warrant, but he wouldn't find Leigh there.Hopefully, they had a head start, and he would give up or be called away on an emergency.
Still, the absence of the club's protection gnawed at her.
Hunter's hand settled on her thigh.Annie glanced at her sister, catching Leigh's raised brows.Her sister didn't say anything, but the look was enough.Annie's stomach twisted.Now wasn't the time to explain what was happening between her and Hunter.Not while they were still running.Not while danger closed in on them.
When they were safe, she would tell her sister.She would explain how it had begun, how Hunter had held her, and how she'd never felt drawn to anyone like him.He was different from any boyfriend she'd ever had, and it wasn't because of his age or lifestyle.There was a connection with him that came from something beyond her control.
Her stomach ached at the thought of him leaving once they found somewhere to live in Seattle.
She'd tried to hide her feelings out of consideration for her sister.Leigh's safety was the most important thing on her mind.There was nothing she wouldn't do for Leigh.She had no idea how her feelings for Hunter crept in and began to manipulate her time.
Deep down, she understood that this drive was the last one they'd have together.Once she and Leigh found a place to rent in Seattle and started a new life and forgot everything in the past, Hunter would go on his way and be lost to her.
Annie placed her hand on top of his, linking their fingers together.His thumb brushed against her knuckles, a small movement that sent warmth rushing through her chest.
After a while, Leigh's head tipped against the window, her breathing evened out as sleep claimed her.
Annie leaned the opposite way into Hunter, her temple resting against his shoulder.She stared ahead at the beam of the headlights cutting through the night.
She fought sleep, refusing to waste a minute with him.
Even in silence, she was comforted.His presence was enough.His touches, his looks—they told her she was heard, even without words.
And for the first time in a long while, Annie felt like there was something just for her out in the world.She had spent so much time caring for her mom before she passed, and now, knowing Leigh would need support for years until she recovered from the trauma she endured, Hunter gave her a glimpse of what she wanted but knew she couldn't have.
He squeezed her hand.She looked up and followed his gaze to the dashboard.The truck needed gas.Kodiak had warned them they'd need to stop, but at least they had been driving on I-5 for a couple of hours.Olympia was ahead at the next exit.She was only forty minutes away from her apartment.She longed to go home but knew that would be impossible.
She still had to figure out how to get all her things, her mom's things, her childhood things, out of the apartment before the lease was over.No doubt Jason had the Seattle police checking up on her apartment and notifying him if anyone showed up.
Hunter turned on the signal and exited the interstate.There was a Chevron gas station sign.She looked at Leigh to see if she noticed the change in speed, but her sister continued to sleep.It was almost three o'clock.The sun wouldn't even rise for a few more hours.
He pulled into the station, rolling to a stop beside the pump, and removed the pistol underneath his belt, placing it on the seat beside her."I need to pay with cash inside."He kissed her quickly."Lock the door."
Hunter opened the door.She sat up straighter, leaned over, and pushed the lock button.
"Where are we?"whispered Leigh.
"Olympia."She watched Hunter jog into the building."We need to get gas."
"Where are we going to go?
"I don't know.I don't even think Hunter knows.We'll figure that out when daylight comes, and we stop."She sighed."Hunter promised to help us get settled in Seattle.That's all that matters."
