“Ugh, you’re right. This stinks.”
“Wait, wait, wait, before you make me leave with Doc, we’ll buy you a burner.”
“Good thinking.” Ava grinned with him. “I’m so glad you’re a genius, babe.”
“Me too,” he said with a smile as he pulled her into a kiss. “You wait here, I’ll run out for the burner and bring it back before we continue with this stupid plan to rescue Shadow.”
“You’re going to feel so awesome when Biceps Bancroft owes you,” she said with a wink as she walked him to the door.
He lingered on the porch, not wanting to let go of her hand. He worried he’d walk away and never see her again. “Hey, why don’t you come with?”
“I better stay here in case Sebastian comes back.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “That’s a stupid reason. We’ll find him when we get back. I don’t want to leave you because…”
She cupped his face. “I’ll be here when you get back, Alex. I promise.”
He huffed out a sigh and nodded. “Fine.”
He kissed her again before he hurried down the stairs to his car. He glanced back as she leaned against the porch post and waved. “Hurry back.”
With a fleeting smile and wave, he climbed behind the wheel. As he bounced down the gravel drive, his slick palms slipping on the steering wheel, he nearly turned around more than once. He never should have left Ava behind.
He gunned his engine as he hit the road, trying to get to the store he’d seen as quickly as possible. When he pulled in, he barely shut the car off before he raced from inside, hurrying into the store and grabbing a cell phone.
After checking out, he climbed back in the car and ripped open the package, starting the set up as he drove back to the cabin. When he arrived, he had it ready for her use. After programming his number into the phone, he climbed from the car.
“Got my phone?” she asked as she met him.
“Yep.” He smiled down at her, pleased she hadn’t been a figment of his imagination.
“Good. Now you can keep tabs on me.” She kissed his cheek as she took the phone. “Now, give me the keys and get in. I’ll drop you off for Doc.”
He heaved a sigh as he skirted the car and climbed inside. Ava fired the engine and within minutes, they were back on the road again.
His stomach rolled as he considered the task ahead of him. After thirty minutes of driving, she pulled over, and he called Kyle.
They climbed out of the car to wait for him to get closer after Alex texted his location. Ava slid her arms aroundAlex’s waist, balancing her chin on his chest. “Remember, award-winning acting, babe.”
“Going for an Emmy,” he said. “And hating every moment until we can reveal that you’re alive. I want you home.”
“I want to be home, too,” she said as she pressed a cheek against his chest. “I love you, Alex.”
“I love you, too, Ava.” He kissed the top of her head. “And now as much as I hate to say it, you better disappear.”
“Yeah, I know.” She pulled him into a kiss. “Let me know about Sebastian as soon as you find anything. And don’t do anything dangerous.”
“Got it.” He stole another kiss from her before she climbed into the car and headed back to the cabin.
He watched until the taillights disappeared, his heart sinking a little as she went out of sight.
Every time she left, he was terrified it would be the last time he saw her. He was still reeling from her supposed death. It had come too close to being true.
He paced along the side of the road until a car approached, slowing. His heart went into his throat until he identified Kyle behind the wheel.
“Hey, Mav,” he said as he swung the car around and pulled onto the side of the road near Alex. “What’s going on?”
“Stupid car with the stupid tire. I was just trying to forget while driving around, and then that had to happen,” Alex said as he slid into the passenger seat.
