Numbers (New Species #14-15)(27)

She turned her head to stare at his grim expression. “Answer me, and be honest.”
“I knew after our first date when I woke up with her in my arms.”
“She slept with you on the first date? I’m shocked,” Dana teased.
“We hit it off. What can I say? I woke up and my first impulse was not to get the hell out of there like all the other one-night stands I’d had. I wanted to stay and cook her breakfast. Hell, I wanted to go home and grab a bag so I could sleep with her every night.” 
“That must have been some out-of-this-world sex. I don’t want details.”
He chuckled. “Actually, it wasn’t all that great, but we had the best time. She made me laugh and I just fell hard. I wasn’t even ready to settle down, but she changed everything for me.”
“I feel that way about Mourn. Only the sex is out of this world.”
“I didn’t need to know that.”
“Just saying.” She glanced in the rearview mirrors again, still not seeing headlights. “I think we’re good.”
“Me too. I just worry about you, Dana. You and Tommy were real social butterflies. You can’t go to parties or the theater with Mourn.”
“That was all Tommy. I never enjoyed that crap.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We fought about it often.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“There was a lot you didn’t know. I’ve never felt this way before. Ever. Not even with Tommy. This morning it was tough to leave Mourn’s house. I thought about calling you and asking you to just bring my stuff to me. I wanted to stay.”
“Why didn’t you?”
She decided to be honest. “I knew you’d argue with me again, and try to talk me out of it. He’s not used to family drama. I guess I’m afraid he’s going to decide I’m not worth the trouble.”
“He wouldn’t care about that shit if he loves you. Hell, Becky puts up with Mom because she loves me.”
“Mom is across the country and you only lived near her for a few months. You work at Homeland so he can’t avoid it if you decide to be an asshole. You bothered him while he was at work.”
“I told you I did that because I’m worried about you.”
“Get over it, and start focusing on what’s going to make me happy instead. Like it or not, that’s Mourn.”
“I’ll try to cut him some slack, okay?”
“You will?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” She saw the motel sign ahead. “Is that it?”
“Yes. Stick close to me. I wasn’t joking about that place being a dive. Keep the cap and glasses on. Don’t talk to anyone. I have a feeling a lot of the protestors stay here. It’s cheap and close to Homeland. I registered Mom under a false name, and made her promise to avoid talking to strangers.”
“Won’t they recognize the SUV as belonging to Homeland?”
“No. This isn’t a task force vehicle. This one is the smaller type they rarely use, and it doesn’t have any NSO markings. It will take them time to run the plates, if someone does, and it’s registered under a false company name. We’ll be good for at least an hour. If shit hits the fan, get behind me. I’m armed.”
Her mouth dropped open.
He parked far away from the other cars, turned off the engine and unfastened his belt. He sighed. “It’s procedure. I have military training and target practice every few weeks. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
“No. The NSO lists me as a task force member, and I have a badge in my wallet to flash if I need to shoot someone. It is better than a permit to carry a concealed weapon. My ass is covered.”
“Have you ever had to shoot someone?”
“I served a few tours. Of course I have. Let’s go.” He climbed out of the driver’s side.
Dana got out and closed the door. Paul activated the alarm and came to her side, hooking his arm with her. She kept her head low. A few guests hung out in the parking lot in several groups. Paul drew her closer and took the stairs up to the second level. It was clear there. He stopped in front of a door and lifted his hand.“You ready for this?”
“Yes.”
He knocked and there was movement at the peephole in the door. The light disappeared.
“Go away or I’ll call 9-1-1!”
Paul sighed. “It’s us, Mom.”
Within seconds the door opened. Their mother stared at both of them. Paul pushed her gently out of the way, drew Dana inside, and locked the door behind them. He released her arm and removed his glasses, grinning.
“Hi, Mom.” He hugged her.
“I thought you were both drug dealers. Why are you dressed like that?” She glared at them.
Dana removed the cap, allowing her tucked-up hair to fall free, and took off the sunglasses. “We wanted to fit in with your neighbors,” she joked. Her gaze traveled around the room. “Wow. Hello, low-budget porn set.”
“It’s horrible.” Her mother pointed at the mirror on the ceiling. “I’m terrified that’s going to fall on me when I sleep.”
“I warned you this place was bad. You should have stayed in a nice hotel a few more miles away. I said that too. Do you want us to move you?” Paul waited for an answer.
Their mother ignored him, fixating on Dana. “This is what I do for you. Do you see this shithole? I’ll probably be mugged, raped and murdered by morning. My headstone will read that it’s all your fault.”
“Mom,” Paul chastised. “That isn’t funny.”
Their mother threw up her hand to silence him. “You can’t run away from your problems, Dana. This is just another way you’re hiding from living. Do you think your poor brother and his wife want you hanging around their place? They don’t.”
“Mom,” Paul raised his voice. “That’s not—”
“Stay out of this!” Their mother stepped closer to Dana. “I brought Dirk Hass with me. He’s going to drop by in about fifteen minutes and talk to you. I also bought us tickets to leave on the first flight home in the morning.”
Dana’s temper finally exploded. “You brought your gynecologist with you? To talk to me? What is wrong with you?”
“Dirk likes you. You really need to give him a chance, Dana. He makes good money, has his own practice, and took time away from work to fly out here because I told him you’re having difficulties. What other man would do that? It shows how caring and concerned he is for you.”
“You manipulated him, in other words.” Dana was tempted to leave.
“Don’t talk to me like that,” their mother hissed. “How dare you.”
Dana took a step back. “What? It’s the truth. You probably told Dr. Hass I’m interested in him when you know damn well I’m not. He’s seen you naked from the waist down. Don’t you think that’s a little fucked up? I do. Talk about a dysfunctional family. And stop setting me up with men. I’ve told you that. I’m done.” 
“Don’t cuss. It’s not the way I raised you.”
Dana opened her mouth but Paul moved fast, stepping between them. “Mom, you need to calm down.”
“Your sister is so rude.”
“Pot, meet kettle.” Dana stepped to the side so she could glare at her mom. “I came to see Paul. I told you I needed some space. You drive me crazy. Thank you for taking care of me after Tommy’s death, but I’m trying to get on with my life now. Why can’t you just let me?”
“You said you’d be gone three days. I had to come out here to get you.”
“I’m not some wayward runaway teen.” Dana clenched her teeth.
“You’re acting like one.”
“Shit,” Paul muttered. “Do you fight like this all the time?”
“No,” their mother answered.
“Yes,” Dana said at the same time.
Paul removed his cap and scratched his head. “This is going to be a long evening.”
“No. It’s not.” Dana put her hands on her hips. “I’m not coming home yet, Mom. I won’t until I’m ready. You bringing your gynecologist with you…” She shook her head. “I don’t even know what to say except I feel bad that you talked him into it. I won’t even mention that he’s twenty years older than I am. You date him if he’s such a great catch. Go home.”
Someone knocked on the door and Dana gritted her teeth as her mother sailed toward it and opened it to let Dirk Hass inside. He held flowers and smiled when he spotted Dana.
“Hello.” He offered them to her.
Dana felt guilty. She knew her mother must have lied to him to get him to take a flight across the country. She accepted the flowers. “Thank you.”
Paul saved her by introducing himself and taking the attention off her. Dana shoved the flowers at her mother and backed away.
Her mother beamed, obviously pleased with the mess she’d created. Dana wanted to strangle her.
Dirk turned to Dana. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” It wasn’t his fault that he’d been pulled into this mess, but someone needed to be honest with him. “I am so sorry about this but the truth is, I’m not interested in dating you.”
“Dana!”
She ignored her mother. “I’m seeing someone. My mother didn’t know. I haven’t told her yet. I’ll pay you back for the money you spent coming all this way.”