Page 71

Rowan

As we leave the city behind and drive into the wide basin and range country with low shrubs and distant mountains, it begins to grow dark.

When I pick up the burger to take a bite, Annie quickly flattens the paper bag our takeout came in and sets it down on my lap.

“If you mess, the paper will catch it.”

It’s a simple act, one she performs without giving it a second thought, but to me it means a fuck-ton more.

She worries that I won’t get enough sleep.

At the drive-through, she asked if one burger would be enough for me and argued that I should at the very least get something for later, seeing as I plan to drive through the night.

Now she’s making sure my sweatpants stay clean.

No one has ever cared about me the way she does.

The warm and possessive emotion I’m still trying to get used to fills every part of my being.

I love Annie.

It’s the first time I’ve ever loved anything, and feeling very emotional, I set the burger down. Resting my elbow on the door, I scrub my fingers over my beard, my eyes trained on the road ahead.

“Rowan?” Annie’s voice is soft, but worried. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, not looking at her. “Eat your food, my light. You need to sleep and get as much rest as possible before we make a run for the border.”

Once again, I wish I could make the trip easier for her, but we have to avoid main roads and border posts at all costs.

Because we don’t have a passport for her, I have to smuggle her to Colombia. When we make it to Luis’ compound in Mexico, where my safe-deposit box with my new ID and funds is, I have to remember to ask him to arrange a meeting with his contact in Colombia. It’s the same man who assisted me with my new identity, and he’ll be able to get everything done for Annie. After that, we’ll be home free.

“You look upset, which is saying a lot because you usually keep your expression neutral.”

Her comment pulls me out of my thoughts, and clearing my throat, I admit, “I’m not used to someone taking care of me.”

She remains silent, but shifting closer, she picks up the burger and lifts it to my mouth. “You need to eat.”

My gaze flicks to her face, and I drink in the sight of her freckles, the way her nose turns up at the end, the black-framed glasses and expressive green eyes.

Fuck, this woman owns all my dark soul.

I’ve been in total control of every aspect of my life, but as I lean in and take a bite, it feels unbelievably good to give some of it over to Annie.

She sets the burger down and picks up a fry, dunking it in ketchup before feeding it to me.

With my eyes returning to the road, the corner of my mouth lifts, and I make peace with the fact that my heart will never be my own again.

Once we’re done eating, Annie shoves everything into the paper bag, then sits a little too far from me.

I lift my arm, placing my hand behind her head. “Come closer, my light.”

Annie scoots over until she presses into my side, and as I wrap my arm around her shoulders, she tugs on the strings of my hoodie.

“Why do you call me your light?”

“Because that’s what you are.” I press a kiss to her hair. “You’re a light that cuts through the darkness around me.”

She’s quiet for a while before asking, “Once we get to our destination, will things be different?”