Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(41)

She forced her eyes to meet his searching gaze, fiercely reminding herself that Caine’s life hung in the balance.

“West.”

“That’s it?” His brows lifted, but he looked more confused than suspicious. Thank the gods. “Just west?”

“For now.”

“Do we at least have time for breakfast?”

Say no, a voice whispered in the back of her head.

The sooner she was away from Caine, the sooner she could hope she’d managed to avoid his fate. But, the need to spend just a few extra moments in his company overcame her common sense.

Surely a half an hour wouldn’t make any difference?

“Yes.”

“Breakfast in bed?” he murmured, his fingers brushing over her cheek. Then, noting her strained expression, he gently tapped the end of her nose. “Come on, your waffles are getting cold.”

Squashing her prick of guilt at her selfish need to savor just one meal with the man who’d rescued her from hell and filled her heart with joy, Cassie joined him at the breakfast table.

They ate in near silence, but Cassie was content to absorb the pleasure of his leg pressed against hers, and the delicious musk of his wolf that spiced the air. These memories were going to have to last her a lifetime and she intended to enjoy every moment.

All too swiftly they were finished with the waffles and Caine had cleared away their dishes.

With an effort, Cassie crushed the urge to find some excuse to linger and instead allowed herself to be carried out the front door and down the walk to the waiting Jeep. She had already dared fate enough. She had to get away from Caine before destiny took matters out of her hands.

Settling her in the seat, Caine moved to take his place behind the wheel. Then, with an ease that made her shake her head in rueful resignation, he had the vehicle shifted into gear and they were hurtling down the dirt path with a steady speed.

Her lips parted to tease that he would have to give her driving lessons so the next time she had to save his butt she wouldn’t embarrass herself, only to snap shut as she remembered there would be no next time.

She clenched her hands, something deep in her heart slowly withering and dying.

Was it hope?

Stoically, she watched the overgrown meadows being replaced by well-manicured fields, the road widening to a paved street that eventually became a four-lane highway.

Beside her she felt Caine’s concerned glances, while inside she was increasingly tormented by the urgent need to travel north to Caine’s lair outside of Chicago. She’d known for weeks she would eventually have to return to the farmhouse. Now it was an imperative demand she wasn’t going to be able to fight for much longer.

Still, she’d hoped to lead Caine as far west as possible. Once she managed to escape him, she wanted him convinced that she would be fleeing toward Kansas City. It would hopefully give her the necessary time to disappear before he could pick up her scent.

“You’re quiet.” Caine at last broke the thick silence.

She turned to meet his worried gaze, pasting a fake smile to her face. “I’m distracted.”

“And that’s all?”

She pressed her lips together, trembling with the effort to deny the powerful compulsion to leap from the Jeep and head north.

“Can we pull off here?” she rasped, pointing toward the narrow road just ahead.

He automatically exited, his brow furrowed as he studied the empty parking lot that framed a small park with public bathrooms and a handful of picnic tables.

He pulled to a halt beneath a shade tree, his eyes skimming the park in confusion. “A rest stop?”

“There’s something in the woods.” She pointed toward the distant line of trees. “Something you need to see.”

He jerked his gaze toward her, his jaw clenching as if sensing he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “Me?”

She drank in the bronzed beauty of his face, memorizing every angle, every line and curve until it was branded on her heart.

“Yes.”

“What about you?”

“I need to stay here.”

He shook his head, returning his gaze to the empty countryside. “I don’t like this.”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him.

“If something attacks I’ll be too far away to protect you.”

“Nothing will attack. It’s daylight.”

He didn’t look reassured. In fact, he looked downright pissy. “There are more dangers than just leeches.”

She trembled, struck by another urgent need to be traveling north. “Please, Caine.”

Clearly sensing her distress, Caine muttered a curse and reached beneath his seat to pull out a small handgun. “Here.” He pressed the weapon into her hand and wrapped her fingers around the grip. “Shoot anything that moves.”

Knowing that this was most likely her last moments with the man who would haunt her for the rest of eternity, she leaned forward to brush her lips softly over his mouth.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

He nipped her bottom lip before pulling back with a rueful smile. “I’d rather take care of you.”

Oh . . . Lord.

She battled back the tears as she pushed him away. “You have to go.”

“Fine,” he sighed.