Destroying him would be doing just the opposite of what Nox’s Alpha had ordered.
Tension left him again, and when he could trust himself to stay upright, he went around to the driver’s side and got in the truck.
“What happened?”
How much had Luca seen?
“Nothing… I…” And why did lying to him feel like a violation? “As soon as we get somewhere safe, I’ll explain everything I can remember.” He took the money from his pockets and dropped it on the seat between them.
Luca picked up a bundle. “How much did you take?”
“I didn’t count it.” He started the truck.
Luca thumbed through the bills. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much money before.”
Nox couldn’t remember if he had or not.
“Why did you take so much?”
“Like I said, I didn’t count it. I just grabbed what I thought would be enough to pay for a motel.” Nox backed out of the parking spot and took the long way around to the main road.
Luca laughed. “There’s got to be twenty, thirty thousand here. What kind of place are you planning on spending the night?”
“It’s not the where. It’s the how long.”
“How…” Luca closed his eyes and rested his head against the window. “I’m never going to be able to go home, am I?”
“I can’t answer that.” And Nox wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to.
They passed under a row of halogen lights as they merged onto the highway. Fatigue sucked the color from Luca’s face. His scent shifted, and the lush, sweet flavor bleeding from him rose up again.
Nox braced himself for another battle of wills, but the Anubis seemed content with the proximity.
*****
Reese lowered himself into one of the robust window seats. Phillips and Harrington sat in front of him. The colonel swiveled his chair around to face Reese. He nodded at the shopping bag Reese held on his lap. “You do realize you can put that in the luggage compartment.”
“I’m still trying to decide if I want to wear the brown khakis or change into the black ones. Although, I’m pretty sold on this sweater.” He rubbed the fat cashmere knit between his thumb and finger.
Harrington raised an eyebrow.
“Storage. Right.” Reese stood and packed the bag into one of the compartments mounted to the ceiling.
A flight attendant squeeze past. Her perfume followed her to the front of the jet. Another attendant came out of a door from a section enclosed enough to form a small hallway leading farther back into the plane. She carried two pillows to another door and stepped inside.
“Are there beds in those little—” What did he call them, because they couldn’t qualify as actual rooms.
“Yes. Would you like to lie down? The flight is about four hours, and you’re more than welcome to nap.”
Sleep would have been wonderful. “No. Thanks. I’ll just… this will be fine.” Reese sat, and the plush upholstery cradled his tired body. He ran his fingers over the plump arm. “Are all government jets this fancy? I’ve been in a few executive planes, but this?”
There were scones for the in-wall lighting. And a small U-shaped couch with a coffee table on the other side.
“I like a lot of leg room.” Phillips turned her seat around.
There was leg room, then there was…. Reese squinted at the gold inlaid wet bar under a facetted mirror near the front of the plane.
“Did Dr. Markus ever change his mind and sign on with New World Genetics?” Phillips draped her hands over her crossed knees.