Moth(48)

I nod and swiftly leave from the house to avoid any more questions. I don’t have the time or energy for the third degree. The sooner I get back to the hotel the more I’ll be reassured she’s returned safely. It’s not like me to worry about anyone aside from myself, but with Nina I can’t help it. She’s taken ahold of me and I’m unable to let go, even if her threats go unanswered.

Being that I’m taking her out of town it’s important to have a vehicle, so the old pickup truck will have to do. I’d rather have my motorcycle, but it’s not feasible plus we’ll need supplies. I can’t expect her to be content in a cabin off the beaten path; in fact I’m worried she’s going to assume I’m taking her somewhere remote to finish the job. I have to be prepared she’ll think I’m the enemy.

I manage to snag a parking spot right out front of the hotel in order for a fast exit. I haven’t paid close enough attention to anyone who may have put a tail on me, and I’m worried she could already have someone on her trail. I head up the elevator realizing my gun is hidden in the truck. If I’m walking into a trap I’m not prepared and it will put me in grave danger. This is unlike me. My head is in a disarray and I’m unable to concentrate the way I need to. Since time is ticking away I decided to approach the room and listen at the door until I can determine if she’s alone.

Several minutes pass and I hear nothing coming from inside. I slide my card into the slot and open the door, standing back in case I’m ambushed. Nina is sitting on the far bed staring out a huge window at the city skyline. She turns to see me entering and stands, grabbing two bags, one of which I know she didn’t have before. “Where did that come from?” I ask to see if she’ll be honest. It’s these little tests that mean something, because if she’s willing to be honest about them there is hope for her yet.

“Well, I sort of snuck back to my place to get it.” She throws up her hand for me to wait to scorn her. “Before you say anything, I needed stuff and I didn’t want you going there.” Obviously because she needed what was hidden in the ceiling. If that doesn’t say secrets I don’t know what does.

“Were you followed? Has anyone been there?”

“I didn’t stick around long enough to check. Look, I need to get out of this town. I need to lay low. I’ve pissed off the wrong person and when he finds out he’ll come looking for me. The further I get the better.”

“Tell me who you think is after you. Can you at least give me that?”

She nods with a calm grimace. “I will, but not here. You’re right. I could have been followed. My head is all over the place. We should hurry.”

“I feel ya. Trust me. We should exit out the back then, just to be safe.”

A short walk out the rear exit ensures we aren’t spotted. Nina is quiet as we head to my truck. I’m wondering if she’s worried about having to come clean with me, or if her secrets are finally catching up to her in ways I can’t understand.

We make it out of town without much traffic. I turn on the radio when the silence begins to bother me. She’s staring out at the horizon for a while before turning the volume down. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because I’m a nice guy.”

“It can’t be that. You just got to town. You don’t have to do this. You can easily forget you know me. I don’t want you involved in this. Please. Drop me off somewhere and drive away. I won’t be angry or upset. I’ll feel relieved you’re safe.”

A half-smile forms across my cheek. “Yeah, I’m pretty certain I’ll never be able to forget you, not after what we’ve done together.” Just saying it makes the hair on my arms stand up. My mind lingers to our previous encounter and the one before that. I don’t think a brain injury would allow me to forget the beautiful woman sitting next to me. “I’m not dropping you off.”

“Are you a cop?” She asks calmly.

“No.” It’s not a lie. I’m not a cop. “Why?”

She shrugs as I glance toward her. “Just curious. It would answer a lot of questions I have. I’ve never met a guy who wants to risk his life for me for no apparent reason. I mean, you already got into my pants, what more could you want than to f*ck?”

Damn. She’s right. What do I want? Is it about sex? The attraction I can’t seem to shake? Our connection? Or is it something more involved I don’t know how to explain? In a very short time this woman has grown on me. I’m happier when I’m around her, even when I know she’s lying to me. It’s ridiculous to accept, but I have no doubt that it’s inevitably true.

“I can’t give you a logical answer. I have a gut feeling you’re a good person. If I can be of assistance when you’re in trouble I’m going to do that, otherwise I won’t be able to live with the consequences if I do nothing. Can you understand that?”

“I guess. It’s very noble.”

“What about you?” I question. “Are you a cop?”

“If I was a cop do you think I’d be taking help from a civilian?” She has a point. “I’d call for backup and be done with this catastrophe.”

“Okay, neither of us are police officers. I guess it counts as getting to know you.”

She snickers. “You have no idea what you’re involved in.”