“Don’t look around. Maybe no one’s watching but we can’t be sure. Lower your chin, honey.” Paul helped her into the car then circled to the driver’s side. Olivia held her breath. She expected someone to run out and jerk her out of the passenger seat. She discreetly locked her door without looking up. Finally Paul slid behind the wheel. “So far so good,” he breathed. “I spotted our census guy lurking by the Tivolis’ condo. He’s keeping a lookout.”
“Do you think he suspects anything?” Olivia asked sharply. She forced herself to keep her gaze down when she was tempted to scan the area for Ethan’s men.
“I have no idea but Dylan and Kate will throw them off track. Now let’s get out of here.”
It had been snowing all afternoon so traffic was slow. It took much longer than Paul predicted to get to Dylan and Kate’s and change cars. But finally they were on the road in the loaner vehicle Dylan had secured. Olivia glanced behind them every minute to make sure no one followed.
“It’s clear, Liv honey. We got away clean.”
“I can’t shake the bad feeling, Paul. It seemed too simple and when something is simple it means he’s toying with me. He’s not easily fooled. He’ll figure it out soon if he hasn’t already.”
Paul reached across the seat and patted her leg. “I’m not underestimating him and I’m not relaxing my guard. Trust me, honey. The race isn’t over yet but we’re still in first place.” She put her hand over his and her fingers were icy cold. He turned up the heat then reached for her hand again.
“It will be all right. We’ll lay low for a little while and regroup while Dylan and Kate keep an eye on things back home. We’ll give him the shake.”
Olivia’s fingers tightened on his. “While I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, you can’t hide away indefinitely. This plan is crazy, Paul. At some point you need to return to your regular life. I have to keep moving forward, but you need to go back.”
“I’m not sending you away on your own with that psychopath tracking you. You know better than that. For now we’ll focus on getting away safely. You agree?” Paul asked with a glance in her direction.
“Yes,” she responded and he quickly turned back to the road. The snow was coming down again, heavier now. It was dark and the headlights reflected off the falling snow. “Do you have a destination planned? You never said where we’re going.”
“Laramie, Wyoming. It’s beautiful in the snow, tucked against the mountains. Yet it has a country feel to it. It’ll be a drastic difference from Los Angeles.”
“Jessica Adams lived in Cheyenne six weeks ago.”
Paul glanced at her again. “Huh? Jessica?”
“My alter ego,” she answered with a sardonic smile. “I’ve already experienced Wyoming and as a matter of fact, I enjoyed it more than Los Angeles. Maybe I’m a country girl at heart. Unfortunately I didn’t get to stay as long as I would have liked. Apparently using the library computer to check on old friends was a bad idea. Ethan caught up with me quickly even though I tried to be careful. I must have triggered eve
ry indicator he was watching.”
“Stop thinking he’s immortal, honey. He doesn’t have that much power.”
“Then how does he find me so quickly?”
Paul shrugged. “You’re smart and careful. I’d say he just got lucky.”
She wished it was so simple but she knew better. Ethan seemed to know what she was thinking and doing before she set the act in motion. Being extra wary was the only thing preserving her freedom.
“But you liked Cheyenne?” Paul asked. “That surprises me since it’s a world away from what you’re used to. Most stores aren’t open all night.” He ticked off other differences, “You won’t spot celebrities or go to fancy bistros or experience a rocking nightlife. Less high-end shopping. No professional ballet companies.”
“So?” she asked with a raised brow. “Why is it so hard to believe I liked living there?”
“I don’t know. I’m just surprised,” he answered with a shrug.
“You shouldn’t assume that everyone stuck in LA’s fast lane wants to be there. If you really knew me, you wouldn’t be surprised that I’m not homesick and miserable away from California. My life was a very narrow existence. All I did was ballet. I didn’t have a social life outside the company. I wasn’t much of a shopper, and the nightlife didn’t appeal since I valued a good night’s sleep, and indulging in alcohol was never something I enjoyed. I do miss palm trees and the ocean, and I’m crazy-cold all the time here. But I like the slower pace of living. I don’t need celebrities and fancy bistros – or professional dance companies for that matter.”
Paul cast her a curious look. “What will you do when this is over?”
She eyed him briefly for a moment. Light from passing cars illuminated his face. If she could, she would stay right here with him. She loved him and he’d come to mean everything to her. But dreams weren’t always reality. And Ethan would never allow her to experience a normal life with Paul. She would always be on the run, playing this game until he finally caught up with her. And then she would have nothing.
“Liv?” Paul prompted as the silence stretched.
“I hope to reach the next town safely. To set up a new identity and live in peace as long as I can before I have to move again. Right now that’s as far into the future as I can see, and I have to be satisfied with it. To hope for more is to set up false expectations. My life is hard enough right now without creating added disappointment. That’s all I know to do.” With a sigh she turned to the passenger window.
Paul could feel Olivia withdrawing and it confused him. He expected the further away they traveled from the threat, the more relaxed she would feel. The opposite was true. She’d grown silent and he could feel a moody tension radiating off her. She flinched when he reached for her hand.
“What is it, Liv?”