Devil You Know(20)
“Where did you learn to fight?” I ask.
“Don’t all guys know how to fight?”
“I don’t think so.” I smile.
He shrugs. “Not important. I’m just glad I could help out poor Rocco here.”
Although he told me it wasn’t the case, I instantly feel as though all his actions have been simply to ensure my dog’s safety all over again.
“Yeah. Thank you again.”
A brief moment passes with the two of us lost, staring into oblivion before he snaps free first. “Are you ready to go?”
I nod.
“I’ll go grab a few things.”
“Do you have a phone I could use?”
He pauses halfway across the room, and looks over, as though it’s an odd request.
“I want to check how much is in my savings,” I explain.
“You don’t need to worry about that, Jane.”
“One thing at a time, huh?”
I WAKE with a startle, my head lolling against the door pillar as we hurtle down a country road. The scenery all looks the same; endless green fields separated by the odd brown one, freshly turned after a harvest.
“Morning, Sunshine.”
I look across at his profile as he drives, intently staring at the road. How I know that’s where he’s looking I have no idea, given he wears jet-black sunglasses, but I do.
“Is it morning?”
“No.” He chuckles. “It’s not far away from dinner.”
I’m lost in those slight dimples, the movement of his muscles along his jaw when he smiles, the slight crinkle to his eyes I can see beyond the black plastic of his glasses.
“How much farther do we have to go?” I ask.
“About fifteen minutes.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said we were headed to the country, were you?” I stare out at the passing fields, and hone in on the beautiful oranges and yellows of the trees that have begun their autumn transformation.
“Not in the slightest. Rocco will love the room to run.”
“I bet.” I turn and look out the small rear window at my dog, sitting with a silly grin on his face, ears flapping in the wind. “How did you find the house?”
“I’ve got a friend that knew about it.”
“Oh.” What are his friends like? I’ve never seen anyone visit his house—not that I used to watch the place religiously before this, or anything.
His hand crosses the gap between us, and rests atop my thigh. I stiffen without a second thought, and he presses harder, yet gently.
“You don’t need to be afraid of me, Jane.”
“Old habits,” I mumble.
“Well, take the time we’re here to try and kick them, okay?”
“You’re staying, too?”
He grins. “What did you think the bag was for?”
I glance at the duffle at my feet. “I thought it was an over-nighter, you know? I can’t expect you to take time off work for me. You’ve done enough.”
“My work is, how would you put it”—He tips his head to the side—“flexible.”
“That’s lucky.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
The mood shifts in the car, and he withdraws his hand. I feel dejected, as if I’ve crossed a line I should have known was there.
“Sorry. I’ll mind my business,” I offer pleasantly.
He simply turns his head. Despite those dark glasses, I cringe knowing the kind of chastising look that lies underneath.
Point made.
“What did you do before you met Dylan?” he asks out of the blue.
“I was your run-of-the-mill college student. My major never amounted to much though. We got together right before I graduated, so I never had any reason to pursue my own career. I was always supporting him, you know? I had a job until a few weeks ago, though. Nothing flash, but a job all the same.”
He nods slowly. “I never picked that douchebag as being the kind to let you go out to work.”
At the mere mention of Dylan, I’m checking the rear-view. “He couldn’t stand ‘carrying me’,” I explain.
“Is that what he called it?”
“Yeah.”
Malice shakes his head, and flexes his shoulders while he grips the steering wheel tighter. “You’re his wife.”
“So?”
“So, it’s his responsibility to ‘carry’ you. He signed a contract to protect you, cherish you, not make you this.” His hand waves the length of me.
I cross my arms over my chest carefully, and frown. “And what am I, exactly?” The thought he finds me repulsive sends my gut churning with a mixture of pure burning acid and fear.
“Unbelieving of your own self-worth. Ready to protect your dog at the risk of your own life. Apologetic about the whole fucking deal.”