Predator - A Stand Alone Suspense Romance(48)

I take my stuff from the bag and the scissors from the first aid kit, and then I go to the bathroom so she’ll have some privacy to get dressed.

I first cut most of the beard off before I grab the beard trimmer. I trim it so it looks like I haven’t shaved in a few days. It’s most comfortable this way.

I pack everything away and wash the basin out before I go back to the room. I’m relieved to see that Cara changed into slacks and a t-shirt. She’s busy slipping her feet into the shoes.

“Does it fit?” I ask as I pack everything into my bag. I grab her other clothes and shove it into my bag, and then look up.

She’s staring at me with her lips slightly parted. She takes a breath and tilts her head. “You shaved,” she states the obvious.

I rise to my full length. “Yeah, time for a new look. Wear one of the hats to cover your hair.”

I leave the room to put the bag in the car and then rush back. I strip the bedding and start to wipe the place down. It’s a habit I’ll never be able to break. I have to always cover my tracks.

When I’m done I take Cara’s hand. “Let’s go.”

I open the door and scan the area first. It’s quiet outside. I pull her out the door and then lock it behind us.

She stays next to me as we walk to the reception area. I place the key on the counter and leave without a word.

When we reach the car, I open the passenger door first. Cara moves to get in but then stops and looks at me. It looks like she wants to say something but then she changes her mind and she gets in.

I close the door and walk around the car to the drivers’ side. As I get in, I hear her whisper, “Thank you.”

I glance at her and smile. Her eyes flutter over my face before she quickly looks outside. She curls into herself and rests her head against the window.

We have a long way to go, but first we have to stop at my storage unit. Then we disappear.



Cara~

I keep my eyes closed and try to get Damian’s smiling face out of my head. He shouldn’t have shaved. It was easier to ignore him when he looked like a grizzly bear. Now … shit, now there’s no beard hiding his face.

Those eyes.

That smile.

The look that digs its way into the darkest corner of your soul.

He’s dangerously good looking and it’s messing with my head.

And then he goes and buys me stuff … like he cares.

A tear sneaks out of the corner of my eye and I turn my body more into the door so Damian won’t see.

My emotions are all over the place. One second I’m so thankful that Damian wants to stick around, and the next I’m swallowed whole by this black hole in my soul. It must be my hormones that are totally fucked up.

My mind doesn’t stop racing from my parents to Annie, to the baby – to the death sentence hanging over my head – to being at Damian’s mercy.

I swear, if I knew what was waiting on the other side of death I’d finish it in a heartbeat. I’d just end it.

But there’s no ending this. I’ll somehow have to face it.

My whole mid-section is aching and the pain is spreading into my hips and thighs. I wish I could get some painkillers and a bed. I just want to sleep forever.

I wrap my arms around myself. I feel nauseous with pain but I bite it back.

The car starts to slow down and I quickly use the shirt to dry my cheeks. When the car comes to a standstill I peek out the window. I see a building that looks like storage units. I frown, not sure why we’re stopping here.

“Come,” he says, his eyes already searching our surroundings. I get out of the car and lean against the door as I wait for him to get the bag out of the back.

He walks to where I’m standing and then his hand slips over my cheek and he leans down. His eyes catch mine and it’s just like in the beginning. I can’t keep eye contact and quickly look down.

“How’s the pain?” he asks, once again reading me like a book.

It doesn’t help to lie so I grimace. “I could really use some painkillers and a bed.”

He slips his arm around my shoulders and draws me into his side. “I’ll get you some as soon as we’re done here.”

I stay stuck to his side as we walk down a narrow passage. The lighting is dim as we pass a few rows of storage units.

We finally stop by one and I watch as he unlocks it. The door rolls up and he flicks on the light. I’m not sure what I expected to see but it’s not a plain cabinet. He unlocks it and when he opens the door, my eyes widen.

There are two guns, some bullets, cash, and some other items. I’ve never seen so much money before. He opens the bag and then shoves the money in. He grabs what looks like a couple of I.D. cards, passports a set of keys, and he shoves them in between the money. One gun goes in the bag and the other behind his back. When he stands up and looks at me, all I can do is swallow.

Who is this man that he’s so prepared?

Who keeps so much money, guns and I.D.’s in a storage unit?

He shrugs the bag over his left shoulder and then takes hold of my arm. “Let’s go.”

Before we can leave, voices echo down the passage. Damian pushes me back and quickly rolls the door shut. He switches the light off and my heart all but stops.

I gasp and my heart sets off racing. I open my mouth but before I can say his name, I feel his arm come around my shoulder. I don’t know how he can see anything, but he steers me to the back of the unit.