VANGUARD(62)

Michael pulled off at the next roadside stop that featured a gas station and restaurant. “I need a moment to calm down,” he said. “Otherwise, I will kill us both with my driving. Come, we will have a warm drink.” He settled her at a table in the restaurant, then went to buy drinks. A moment later, her phone rang. It was Maxwell, returning their call.

“We just heard.”

“Good news travels fast,” he said. “Obviously, we don’t have a lot of details yet, and it’ll be several weeks before troops are on the ground. But this is the beginning.” Michael appeared at Sophie’s side, handing her a tea.

“My father?” She nodded, and he reached eagerly for the phone.

“Your son wishes to speak with you.” She smiled and handed him the phone.

He kissed her before he took it, then wandered off, talking a mile a minute. She sipped her tea and watched him walk from one side of the room to the other. He used to do that in GYL when he had a big idea in his head. Michael couldn’t sit still when he was thinking.

“What did he say?” She took back the phone and accepted another kiss.

“Not much,” he said evasively. She raised her eyebrows at him. “Well, it will take some time to get troops into Orlisia. Right now, it is very much in the planning stages.” He paused. “There will be a press conference later today to announce who will lead the mission, which countries will participate, and so on. Are you ready to go?”

She blinked at the abrupt change of topic and nodded.

Back on the road, he asked many questions. What did Sophie know about Commandant Jaros? What did he spend his day doing? Did he work surrounded by guards, or was he more informal? What had she bribed the guards with? How secure was she in their ability to stay bought? The questions went on for nearly an hour. Then he lapsed into silence, his hands tapping constantly on the wheel. She could practically hear the gears grinding in his mind.

An exit sign loomed, to which someone had attached a hand-lettered board indicating this was the last gas station before entering the militarized zone. Michael signaled to pull off. Sophie was fine with that since she needed to pee. When she came out of the bathroom, he was tossing a bottle of water from one hand to the other.

Once in the SUV, he produced a handful of pills. “Medication time,” he said with a stiff smile.

“Thank you so much, Dr. Nariovsky-Trent,” she said sourly, opening her water. He shook the pills into her hand: the anti-parasitic, two antibiotic capsules, and…

“What’s this?” She nudged the red and blue capsule with her finger. “That’s new.”

“It’s a mild antiemetic. It will keep you from feeling carsick. The road from Parnaas to the camp seems to make you nauseated, and I want you to be comfortable.” He suddenly seemed uncomfortable, and she wondered if he felt affronted that she had questioned his medical expertise.

“Oh.” She swallowed everything. He watched her with a strange expression while she did it. He looked almost guilty, like he had the other evening.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. His expression immediately smoothed out.

“Nothing, mana mila. Just wishing you did not have to endure so many hardships on my behalf.” He leaned over and kissed her. It felt so good that she put her hand up behind his head to hold him there for more. His lips opened under hers, and she eased her tongue into his mouth. They kissed each other for a long time. Michael’s hand found its way under her shirt, cupping her breast, and Sophie’s was headed between his legs when someone thumped on the window. They leaped apart, startled. A couple of teenagers passed by the SUV, making lewd gestures.

She flushed with embarrassment and desire. Michael reached down and shifted the bulge in his jeans, trying to find a comfortable place.

“See what you do to me?” He grinned sheepishly as he started the SUV. She laughed as they pulled back onto the highway.

They hadn’t yet reached the Parnaas turnoff when she started to get sleepy. Probably the new medication he gave me. She laid her head back against the seat, turning so she could see Michael’s face. She yawned hugely.

“Tired, mana mila?” His voice sounded like it was coming from far away. Sophie tried to clear her head, but all she wanted was to sleep. The feeling became so strong that it was disconcerting. She decided fresh air might help, so she attempted to turn around to put the window down. Her arms felt like they weighed a ton. When she tried to move her head, none of the muscles would do as she wanted.