“You go in,” Shane ordered. “I’ll stay here with her.”
“She’s dead to the world. Just pop the damn hood and I’ll buy the oil.”
“Fine. I guess that’s okay.”
The doors opened and closed. Vanni hesitated and the vehicle jerked a little. She lifted up to peer between the seats. The hood was up and she could see through the small space between it and the engine. One man stood there. She turned her head and watched the other one walk inside a gas station. They were parked away from the other cars that were getting gas. One glance around the area showed a few food places and a lot of cars.
She fumbled to get free of the seatbelts then frantically put on her skirt. Her bra was on the floor with her shirt. She didn’t take the time to put it on but instead shoved it into the pocket of her skirt after she pulled the white top over her head and yanked it down to her waist.
A search of the floor failed to locate her shoes. Her ring caught her attention though. She stared at it with dread before picking it up. She put it in her pocket and hunched down to stare through the gap between the open hood and the engine compartment. The man remained there. The other was still inside, in line, holding something against his chest.
A big semi pulled into the lot and parked about ten feet away. The loud engine stayed on while a man opened the passenger door, slid out of the cab and headed toward the gas station.
Vanni took a deep breath. She wasn’t in pain anymore. Most of the drug must have left her system. She had two options. Stay in the SUV and be taken to Homeland with everyone around her thinking she’d drugged a New Species, or try to escape.
No interior lights had come on when they’d opened the doors and there’d been no dinging sound. She remembered they hadn’t come on when Smiley and she had entered the SUV. She tested the door on the driver’s side and found it unlocked. The noise of the semi’s engine drowned out any sound when the door opened. Her heart pounded with fear of being caught but she slid out into the windy night and pushed the door just enough for it to catch but not close all the way.
The pavement was cold on her bare feet as she crouched and tiptoed to the back of the vehicle. Several cars were parked about thirty feet away near a restaurant. She hesitated, checking to make sure the guard was still in line behind a few customers who were ahead of him. He wasn’t looking her way.
Just do it! She kept low and ran. It hurt her feet but she was motivated to get away. It was a relief when she made it to the cars and ducked, hiding behind one. No one shouted at her. Keeping low, she moved closer to the restaurant. She needed to get out of there before they discovered her gone. She had no money but she could call her best friend collect.
Vanni reached the side of the building and straightened, crossing her arms over her breasts, trying to hide that she wasn’t wearing a bra. She’d just go inside and ask to use their phone. She’d lie and say her car broke down. The fact that she had no shoes, money or even her purse might give that lie away. She considered saying she’d been mugged but then the police would get involved. That was the last thing she wanted. They’d contact the NSO and hand her over to them. It would defeat the purpose of escaping.
A woman came out of the restaurant as she approached the front doors. She wore faded jeans, a sweater and appeared to be in her fifties. Vanni glanced at her face, nodded and walked around her.
“Are you okay?” The woman stopped. “You look like hell.”
Vanni paused and turned. The concern on the other woman’s face was clear. “I had a fight with my boyfriend and just left him next door,” she lied.
“Aw. You poor thing. They won’t let you go in there without shoes.”
Vanni hadn’t thought of that. “I’m just going to ask to use their phone and have my friend pick me up.”
“Where do you live?”
“It’s about an hour from here.” She gave the name of the city.
“I’m heading that way to go visit my sister. Do you want a lift? I have a daughter about your age. I always try to pay it forward. You can use my cell phone and have your friend meet us when we get closer to your home.”“Thank you.” She jumped on the offer. “I’d appreciate that so much.”
“That’s my pickup right over there. I have a jacket you can borrow. You must be freezing.”
It reminded her of Smiley. His face flashed in her mind. She shoved those memories away. “I’m okay.” It was a lie. She’d had sex with a stranger and her entire life had turned upside down in the space of a few hours.
She followed the woman to her pickup and climbed inside the cab. They backed out of the parking space and Vanni turned her head, peering at the gas station. All the doors on the SUV were wide open and one of the guards was frantically throwing his arms around while the other one seemed to be on the phone. They’d discovered she was gone.
“What’s your name, hon?”
Vanni forced a smile, facing her companion. “Vanni.”
“Oh, that’s an odd name but it’s pretty.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m Melinda. Do you like country music?”
“Sure.” She didn’t care what played on the radio. It was impossible to relax until they were on the freeway and she was safely away. No big black SUVs appeared in the side-view mirror.
“Thank you for this.” Vanni hugged her chest tighter.
“You’re welcome. You’re my very first hitchhiker. Well, I guess you’re technically not since your thumb wasn’t up.” Melinda laughed.
Vanni tried to pay attention to the friendly chatter and answer when it was appropriate but her mind kept drifting to Smiley and what they’d done together in the back of that NSO vehicle. Her body was sore, especially between her legs. No stabbing pains jolted through her though, something for which she was grateful. No hot flashes or cold chills struck her. She was going to survive after all. Now it was all about dealing with the consequences.
“Men are jerks. You look so depressed. Don’t be.” Melinda reached over and patted her leg. “You’re young and attractive. You’ll find a better one.”
Vanni just nodded.
“Did your boyfriend cheat on you?”
Vanni hesitated. “He screwed me.”
“Don’t all men.”
The cheating reference hurt. Smiley wasn’t the cheater. She’d have to face Carl. The ring in her pocket would have to be returned. She almost was sorry she’d run from the NSO. They might have been more understanding about what happened than her soon-to-be ex.
* * * * *
Smiley climbed out of the bed at Medical. “They just allowed her to walk away from them? Why weren’t they watching her?”
Fury took a deep breath. “Shane and Ned made a mistake.”
“A mistake? She could be out there in pain. Vulnerable!” Smiley yelled, not caring to lower his tone. “Someone could take advantage of her.”
“Put the ice pack back on your face,” Midnight urged. “Please? Brass really tagged you.”
“I’m going to kill him. He had no right to hit me.”
“You were in pain and exhibiting breeding-drug symptoms. He was afraid you’d go insane and hurt the human.” Fury pushed away from the wall. “Be reasonable. You would have done the same. Do I have to point out what could have happened?”
“I wouldn’t have harmed Vanni.”
Midnight frowned. “She was the only female in the vicinity. You would have mounted her even if she’d been unconscious. It would have damaged your soul. You’re a good male.”
Smiley cringed at the thought. “I was in control.”
“Brass wasn’t certain it would last.”
“We have contacted all the human hospitals and their police to be on the lookout for a female in distress. Tell him, Fury.” Midnight shot him a dirty look.
“We have many agencies working on this. Our teams at the hotel are attempting to identify the female. No one with the name Vanni was registered there.”
“Her full name is Travanni.” Smiley regretted not asking for her last name. Humans had those.
Rusty walked into the room and stared at Smiley. “I heard you were given the breeding drug.” She stepped closer. “What happened to your jaw?”
“Brass put him out,” Midnight answered. “He seems to be doing okay now.”
“Leave us alone.” Rusty unfastened the straps securing her vest over her uniform.
Smiley was grateful to have so many friends and he understood and appreciated Rusty’s offer, but he just wasn’t interested. “I’m fine.”
Her fingers froze and she frowned. “You don’t want to share sex?” Her gaze lowered to the front of his pants. “You’re hard.”
Vanni’s face flashed in his thoughts, the image crystal clear. He wanted to have sex but not with Rusty. It made him feel a little guilty since he liked her and they’d shared sex in the past. He couldn’t deny some of the drug was still in his system, enough so to keep his dick erect.
“You need me.” Rusty’s husky tone and the way she kept staring at his pants made her intent clear. “I’ll take care of you.”
“I can’t.” He didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“You don’t have to do anything to me with your mouth if your jaw hurts.” She dropped the vest on a chair and reached for the waist of her shirt.