“Go ahead and rest,” he nudges, voice deep and low. I shake my head, denying the offer even though my eyes are pleading to close. “I’ve got this,” he insists, his gaze fixed ahead. “I’ve got you.”
Yeah, he does...and even though I know better than to trust Jude Baranov, I can’t help but believe him after he saved me from that room. I somehow feel safe now in his big, brutal hands.And as we keep moving further and further from where we once were, it starts to snow—like stars emerging from the sky.
I lean against the window, giving into my body’s demands, drifting off before I even fight it.
* * *
My eyes jolt open, and already I can sense something in the air has shifted. I don’t know what exactly, but something feelsdifferent.
Shaking off the haze, I sit up in my seat as Jude glances over, realizing my eyes are on him. The tension in the car is a bit heavy. I press against my door, taking a look out the window as I wonder if he decided to turn back around. Maybe he’s decided to hand me over to Kristina after all.
But deep down, I know that doesn’t sound right—doesn’tfeelright.
“Is everything…” I gulp, pushing my unwanted thoughts away. “Is everything okay?”
Jude doesn’t bother to look at me, only staring straight ahead at the barely-lit sky.
My stomach grumbles, and the sound is loud enough that neither one of us can ignore it.
He reaches over and I pull up my knees, not sure what he’s going for here; but annoyance crosses his face as he pops the glove box open, his gaze darting between his shuffling hand and the road.
When he finds nothing more than the car manual and his own passport and stack of cash, he grunts, slamming the compartment shut.
“We can stop somewhere.” He’s acting as if that was up in the air. “But quickly, angel. No lingering.”
I’m not arguing, because the truth of the matter isI’m starvingand I wish I wasn’t. I’m not looking to hold us up from getting as far away from Kristina and her men as we can.
Thankfully, there’s a turn for a town center up ahead, and Jude takes it. We end up on back roads that lead us to a tiny village not far off our path. It’s cute, close-knit, and an old man walking a furry little pup waves at us when we drive in.
“There,” I say, perking up in my seat, pointing out a diner up ahead. Small, just like everything else around here. But the place looks warm and inviting, and I can smell the grease in the air, which is only making my stomach grumble on repeat.
Jude pulls over, but doesn’t take his hand off the wheel. His shoulders are tight, and slowly, he takes a deep breath.
“Are you—”
“Give me a minute,” he cuts me short, eyes avoiding mine as he’s clearly trying to control himself.And why?I have no idea. “Just go inside, Sara. I’ll be in there when I’m ready.”
What’s up with him?Not questioning another word, I open my door and hurry out.
I feel strange…vulnerable, even. Like Kristina or Luca might just somehow walk into this little lot and set eyes on me. But as I keep walking toward the old diner door, the thought of Jude watching my back helps ease the anxiety building deep within.
Inside, everything is just how I imagined it to be. I can’t remember the last time I ate at a place like this—purely just comfort food. Not pricy or innovative, but instead just greasy meals, grimy menus and the classic watered-down coffee.Mmm.
I sit in the booth up front, smiling at the waitress, who’s a young blonde girl with a wholesome look. And vaguely, I remember being the same once before…but that feels like centuries ago.
Pressing a hand to my growling stomach, I pick up the menu and scan it hungrily, wishing I could sort of stay here forever...
5
JUDE
After watching the angel devour a plate of bacon and eggs, along with a mini stack of pancakes—and all with the uncontrolled hunger of a lion—I manage to hurry Sara out of the booth and back to the car.We can’t stay put for long.
Slowly, she makes her way across the lot, and I can’t help the smirk on my lips now. Somehow, even in that oversized coat, she’s incredibly attractive. Reaching her door, I wait, my hand on the handle as I stare into those satisfied eyes, imagining the satisfaction she’d have in them if I made her mine.
But I can’t.
The angel has been trapped in a hell of a life for the past two years—I’m not going to be the one to trap her anymore. Well, I won’t when enough time has passed and I know she’s safe on her own. But for now, she’ll remain at my side. I won’t be taking any risks when it comes to Sara.