I nod. “Someone’s doing a number on your head.”
“Shit.” Sighing, she frowns, and when a tear drips down her cheek, I squeeze her knee.
“Wanna talk about it?” For a moment, I pretend I’m a man concerned about my woman instead of an asshole gathering intel.
She performs her signature shrug, which I’m beginning to hate. “There isn’t much to say. I’m a pushover. People walk all over me. I have a brilliant mind, except when it comes to social skills. My therapist and I are working on it. I spent a smallfortune on an application written by Doctor Jenna Jones. You ever hear of her?”
I whistle through my teeth. The woman’s AI work is legendary. “She designed JASON, right?”
“Yeah, but did you know she also created a program to solve a problem similar to mine?”
“Nope. I had no idea.”
“Well, years ago, when AI was still science fiction, she made this app to help herself understand people’s emotions. It’s amazing what it can do.” Her eyes light up like a kid at Christmas, but I shudder.
“I can’t imagine not being able to read people.” When I remove my hand from her leg, she sighs and stretches.
“It sucks. I toggle from trusting everyone to no one. Now, this happened, and I’m more confused than ever. Adding artificial intelligence into the mix makes it even more confusing. I’m telling you all this, so you’ll better understand why I have to actually hug my daughter to know she’s safe.”
“Thanks.” As I redouble my resolve not to seduce her, a dark Ford sedan closes the gap between us from behind.
Tinted windows prevent me from seeing the driver, yet I somehow sense danger.
“Do me a favor and duck under the dash, babe.” In the heavy traffic, I could quickly lose my tail, but not without putting innocent riders at risk.
Thankfully, she does as I request, no questions asked. I have no idea if the assholes have guns or are in any way linked to my case. Unlike in the movies, vehicles are not made of Kevlar. In real life, bullets penetrate metal. I’m not taking any chances.
With my foot on the pedal, I swerve around the cars. Surprisingly, the driver behind me matches my skills and stays on my fender.
Motherfucker.I drive up the right curb and duck between two semis. A trucker intuits I’m in trouble and flashes his lights. Soon, another eighteen-wheeler blocks my left side, then the other. Twenty miles later, the four loosen up their tight box around my vehicle.
Now that the pursuer is nowhere in sight, I wave out my window, and the drivers honk.Thank God for guys like them.
At the next exit, I pull off the highway and park the car.
After I call an Uber, I remove my SIM card and hold out my hand. “Take out your chip and give me your phone.”
“But what if Abbie needs me?” Her project-planning brain has missed the point.
“Someone is tracking us, Gwen. They knew exactly where to find us.” Taking her arm, I walk her down the street toward a donut place.
“Oh shit.” Face pale, she does as I ask and trots along beside me.
Chapter 15
The forest was dense and dark, but Little Red Riding Hood was not afraid.
Gwen
As a middle-aged schoolteacher drives us to a nearby used-car lot, the video of my little girl loops in my head. I should’ve known the FBI would not be able to protect us. Isn’t that why I didn’t approach them in the first place?
My eyes widen as the sales transaction takes place. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
Back on the road, in the passenger seat of an old five-cylinder Volvo, I unbuckle my belt and study the line of vehicles behind us. Once I’m confident we’re not being followed, I relax into the leather. Beside me, Wulf glances in the rearview mirror and accelerates to eighty-five miles per hour while passing a string of cars going the speed limit.
The silver-haired Zeus grips the wheel with confidence and control. The stubble on his face and the half-unbuttoned dress shirt rolled to his elbows add to his devil-take-care attitude.
Taking a deep breath, I inhale sandalwood, which reminds me of orgasms and his mouth on my clit.
