Even Kansas City, two and a half hours away, was a risk. Nix could have people there too. Hell, Nix could be watching every single airport in this country. Flying could be suicide. But I couldn’t think of another way.
“What do you need your passport for, Ryder?”
He swiveled in his seat to face me. When his gaze hit mine, I sucked in a sharp breath. His gray eyes brightened with determination, steeled with resolve. “The only reason I let you go before was because I physically couldn’t stop you. I won’t make that same mistake twice.”
“You want to go with me?” My voice was a whispered squeak. I ignored the warm burn in my belly and the way my skin tingled all over.
“I’m going to go with you,” he countered.
“It’s not safe.”
“I never thought it would be.”
“I don’t even know where I’m going.”
“We’ll figure it out together.”
“He might find us.”
“I’ll kill him before I let him hurt you again.”
My mouth went dry and I forgot how to breathe. “I thought you hated me.”
He tore his gaze from mine and turned back to the horizon. “Do you think he’s watching my house?”
“Yes,” I answered immediately. I let him change the subject because I had a feeling I was as anxious to hear his answer as he was to give it.
He pulled out his cell phone and turned it on. I hadn’t realized it had been off, but now that it started ringing with all of his missed notifications and texts, I could see why he kept it shut down. It was really hard to field your popularity when an angry Greek god was chasing you.
“Ah, shit,” he mumbled.
“What?” I shouldn’t be so nosey, but after the day we had, I half expected Ryder to show me a text message with Nix’s long list of demands.
1. Hand Ivy over.
2. Hand Ivy over.
3. Hand Ivy over before I burn this entire planet to the ground.
Clearly I thought Nix had a one track mind.
It wasn’t about Nix or even me though.
“My dad’s been trying to get in touch with me all day,” Ryder explained. “I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m dead by now.”
“You should probably call him,” I suggested.
Ryder chewed on his bottom lip and stared at his phone. “It might be better to let him think I’m dead. I skipped my shift at the store. He’s going to kill me.”
I tried not to laugh. And failed.
“This is funny to you?” He raised an expectant eyebrow.
“Well? Yeah, kind of. You did almost die today.”
“I can see why you’re laughing.”
“I’m just saying…” Shoot, what was I saying? “You’re right, it’s not funny. I’m just… exhausted. It’s been a long day. And yesterday was a long day. I think I’m a little delirious.”
