“Through the main gate, which we obviously can’t use.”
“Don’t be so sure,” he murmured. His enhanced hearing heard steps and two men talking. “Someone’s coming.” He grabbed Nadirah and dragged her into a pocket of shadow where they crouched and watched as the guy who’d ran off jogged past with a guy in uniform, heading for the building they’d just left.
“Guess they were in cahoots,” she murmured.
“This is our chance.” He snared her hand in his and tugged her along, not needing guidance since he followed the scent of the man who’d abandoned his friend, quickly bringing them to the gate.
Nadirah paused before stepping through.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a camera on the other side recording those who pass through.”
“Give me a second.” He clambered to the top of the gate, lacking his usual grace because of the stupid boots, and found the affixed device. It didn’t seem active, which made sense given the thieving, but just in case, he tore it loose and tossed it to the ground.
He hopped down, his knees bending to absorb the impact. “Good to go.”
They made their way into the parking lot, which had two cars. The first didn’t open with the key, but the small blue Honda did.
A shaking Nadirah went to take the driver’s seat, but he shook his head. “You’re too frazzled to be driving.” The slight tremble of her body showed shock had set in.
“Okay.” She didn’t argue as she sat on the passenger side.
He slid behind the wheel and started the engine. He exited the parking lot before asking, “Where am I dropping you off?”
“What?”
“You’ve been awesome, but it’s time I let you go back to your life and stopped dragging you into danger.”
“You didn’t drag me.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure when you volunteered to take me home, you didn’t expect to have it invaded.”
“What makes you think ditching me will make them stop coming?”
He gripped the steering wheel tightly. She raised a good point. Without him, she’d have no protection if they kept looking for him. “What do you want me to do?”
“Let me help you.”
“Really?” His head swiveled for a quick peek.
“You need me. You don’t know the language, the country, and besides, those people hunting you killed my kitties.” Her lips turned down. “Even if those thugs ignore me, what do I have to go home to?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too, which is why the best revenge is to help you.”
“What about your grandmother?”
“Soon as we get a chance, I’ll let her know I’m safe. She can stay with her sister until things blow over.”
He really should argue. However, he couldn’t disagree with her logic, not to mention, he kind of wanted to keep her around.
“In that case, which way should I go to get out of the city?”
“That depends on your destination.”
“I’m thinking maybe we should start by checking out that ruin the artifacts were found in.”
