Less than an hourafter crossing into Massachusetts, Killean ordered the woman to pull over on the side of the highway where he was sure there were no cameras. If the Savages discovered which truck they’d taken, he didn’t want them to learn where they rode the truck to, but then he wasn’t entirely sure of their destination.
He had no idea where Ronan and the others were anymore, but he had to find a safe location for Simone. Even if the Defenders didn't take him back, they would take her, and he would get her to them.
Climbing out of the truck, he clasped Simone’s hand and helped her down. He instructed the woman to forget everything that happened and return to what she was supposed to be doing before closing the door and leading Simone into the woods.
He’d instructed the woman to let them off near an exit with signs for food and lodging and bordering on the edge of a forest. They made their way through the woods and into what turned out to be a busy town with cars idling at stoplights and neon signs broadcasting everything a traveler or local could want.
Killean avoided anywhere cameras might be located on traffic lights or buildings as the predawn travelers drove down the road.
“Where are we going?” Simone inquired and stifled a yawn.
“We’ll find somewhere to stay before sunrise and figure out our next move.”
He led her to the closest motel and used his mind control to procure a room at the back of the building.
“Are there cameras here?” he asked the clerk.
“Two out front and two in the back,” the man replied.
“Closed circuit or do they feed into somewhere?”
“Closed circuit.”
“Let me see the video.”
The clerk led him to the recording equipment. Killean removed the tape and destroyed it before shutting off the TV and turning off the cameras. When he finished, Killean took the key card from the clerk. He led Simone out of the office, down the walkway, and around the corner to their room where he opened the door to reveal a dingy room with tan walls, brown carpeting, and a king-sized bed.
Simone couldn’t stop her nose from wrinkling at the hideous, flower-patterned comforter on the bed. She’d never seen anything so ugly as that blanket or so wondrous as the bed beneath it. The events of this day had left her drained; she wanted to crawl onto the bed, place her head on those pillows, and sleep for a week.
But the Savages might be coming for them.
“Could they track us here?” she whispered.
Killean wished he could assure her they were safe here, but he couldn’t. He didn’t know how Joseph located them in the truck, the motel had probably been easier, but Killean still hadn’t been expecting them. He couldn’t shake the notion Joseph and that other bastard were toying with them and following their every move. They were the mice trapped between the paws of the cat, and it was only a matter of time before the cat delivered its killing blow.
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But I think we’ve lost them.”
Simone slumped onto the bed and dropped her head into her hands.
“The Alliance will take you back,” he said.
It took a few seconds for his words to sink in. When they did, she lifted her head to stare at him. “And what about you?” she demanded.
“I might not be welcome there.”
“I’m not going back without you.”
“Simone—”
“No, we’re bound together. I was well aware of what a life with you might entail when I allowed it to happen. Besides, we can’t be separated.”
“We can,” he said. “It won’t be easy on either of us, but we can live separately and see each other when we can.”
She forgot her exhaustion when anger rolled through her. “And you would be okay with only seeing me when you can?”
“I didn’t say I’d be okay with it, but I’ll do whatever’s necessary to keep you safe.”
The reasonable tone of his voice only infuriated her more. “And you know what would be best for me?”
