“You are so full of shit.”
Zebulon laughs. “Fine. You’re too hot for prison.”
“Thanks.”
“And I’m helping you get rid of the body, so I have to make sure you don’t get cold feet.”
I nod. I don’t know what to say.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he says. “Thank me when we get back in one piece.”
“So we’re coming back?”
“Eventually,” he says. “Once I handle my business and yours.”
I shouldn’t give in to him even a little bit, but I feel genuinely grateful. I wrap Zebulon in a hug and he lets me hug him, but he doesn’t return my affection. After his kiss and after everything in the alley, his reluctance surprises me. His body stiffens and he clears his throat.
“If you want me to keep my promise, you had better stop holding me, Janelle.”
He shifts his body away from me and as he tries to get away, I feel something large and warm brushing up against my leg.It’s his dick.I flinch and almost jump away from him. Zeb clears his throat awkwardly.
“We can sleep for a couple hours,” Zeb says. “I’ll take the couch. After that, we’d better head West.”
“Okay.”
“If you aren’t okay sleeping alone…” Zeb says. “Hold that pillow tight.”
“Thanks.”
“And text your family.”
“I will.”
I’ll have to be creative with my excuses. And go on a major social media hiatus for my mental health. But I think I can pull off disappearing for six months. The only person who would have really noticed would be Rakeem – the ex-boyfriend who cheated on me for who knows how long. Rana would notice, but she might be too buried beneath her law school books to give a crap for another month or two. She disappears sometimes with her workload.
I would be much better off if I never saw him again. If I get on the back of Zeb’s bike, I probably won’t.
Chapter Nine
Zeb
She sleeps a few feet away from me with quiet, heavy breathing. I can’t sleep. It’s not the body that bothers me. I spoke to Ethan Shaw and my contacts in the Irish mob. The guy who followed Janelle was a random lurker known to the area, a level two sex-offender who recently got off parole. I’m relieved that there won’t be anybody looking for him, but it wouldn’t matter. Ethan assured me that I wouldn’t have to worry.
My biggest concern right now is bringing Janelle across the country and keeping her out of trouble until we get back. I’m sure she won’t run to the cops now, but she might change her mind when she sees our loaded crates of weapons, or if she witnesses any violence that gets out of hand. I can’t think of a way to keep her tame and out of trouble.
Leaving her with Ruger is far out of the question. It’s not that I worry about his lust for human life – although I am fully aware of it – but the thought of leaving her anywhere that she might get away or have something bad happen to her bothers me. My drive to keep her close is strong.
By the time the sun rises, I haven’t slept more than a couple hours, but Janelle slept through the night without a hint of disturbance. The loud gurgling from the motel coffee makerwakes her up. Janelle groans and pulls the pillow over her head. She reminds me of the sexy black women who I served with in the army. She’s a little less mean. I’m guessing she’s not as religious because most Northerners are disturbingly secular.
That’s fine. I love God enough for both of us and maybe if I took her to church with me, I could change her mind.
“Good morning.”
“No…” Janelle murmurs, pulling the pillow tighter over her head.
“I let you sleep for four hours. We have to leave, cupcake.”
