“Maybe,” he said, voice low, steady, “I don’t want you to.”
She looked away.
And for the first time since this whole thing started, Jack thought—
Maybe this trip wasn’t just about some secret errand.
Maybe it was about them.
And whether what they had five years ago…
Was really completely over and done.
Chapter Six
The lights of the gas station in Liberty, Missouri, buzzed faintly overhead, casting everything in a too-bright, slightly washed-out glow. This town marked the halfway point on the journey from Alienn, Arkansas, to Suspicion, Minnesota.
Seraphina had acquired a rental car for Madelaine with a special hybrid bauxite fueled engine, since her friend knew she would have to travel to Suspicion. Seraphina, at least, hadn’t forgotten there would be no flying to her destination. Madelaine was grateful for the other woman’s forethought.
Madelaine pulled the car up to a pump and cut the engine, the sudden silence pressing in after hours of road noise.
“We should stretch,” she said, reaching for the door handle.
Jack nodded. “Yeah.”
They stepped out at the same time. The night air was cooler than she expected when it touched her skin. It wrapped around her like a quiet reset—sharp, clean, carrying the faint scent of gasoline and distant rain.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Jack reached for the gas nozzle.
“I’ve got it.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I know,” he said, swiping his payment card against the reader. “It’s fine.”
Madelaine watched him for a second longer than necessary before turning away, hugging her arms lightly around herself as she walked a few steps toward the edge of the lot.
Liberty. The name felt rather ironic. Madelaine hadn’t felt free in five years.
“You okay?” Jack’s voice came from behind her, closer than she expected.
She turned slightly. “Just needed some air.”
He nodded, leaning one hip against the car, the pump clicking steadily as it filled the tank.
“You’ve been doing that,” he said.
“Doing what?”
“Drifting off.” His gaze held hers. “Like you’re somewhere else half the time.”
Madelaine exhaled slowly. “Occupational hazard.”
“That mysterious, can’t-talk-about-it job again?”
She almost smiled. “Something like that.”
