“But—”
“You’d better fucking do as you’re told this time.”
Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance by Jennifer Ashley, Alyssa Day, Felicity Heaton, Erin Kellison, Laurie London, Erin Quinn, Bonnie Vanak and Caris Roane
CHAPTER 19
Asher had barely said two words to Olivia after he and Conry jumped into the truck. The open highway in front of them stretched as long as the silence between them. It was obvious he was angry. Her hesitation on the deck had almost gotten them caught.
“Asher, I—”
“Pull over here,” he said gruffly, pointing to an exit that led to a rest area.
Okay, he definitely was pissed.
She took the off-ramp, drove past a few semi-trucks in the dark lot, and parked the moving van near the back. He stared straight ahead, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
“I’m sorry, Ash, but I just couldn’t leave without taking one of Vince’s drawings. Next time, I’ll—”
“Olivia, this…thing…between us has been fun. I’ve had a…a great time.”
Oh my God. Was he breaking it off with her? She gripped the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking.
“But I’m afraid it has to end.”
It felt as if someone had punched her in the chest as all the air evaporated from her lungs. She knew their week had been drawing to a close, but she’d been hoping that things would continue.
“Because of what just happened?” she asked.
“It’s not only that, Olivia.”
She literally felt sick to her stomach. Was he not as into her as she was with him? Could she have misread him this whole time?
He cursed under his breath. “I know I’m not doing a good job explaining myself. I care about you…a lot. But it’s clear that the army is closing in on me and they’re using you to do it. You’re not safe with me, Olivia. You could easily get hurt…or worse…in the fallout. And if they realize you’re a Talent, we both know what that will mean for you and your future.”
“But how do you know it’s you they’re after? Maybe they want me.”
He pounded his fist on the dash and Conry sat up. “Because the scarred man who asked Sandy about you is known as the Fixer. It’s his job to find Cascadians who have infiltrated Pacifica. He’s the same guy who turned Fallon over to the army. When we were questioned after the explosion, we told them we lived together, so they figure if they can find you, they’ll find me. That’s why they came to your apartment. They were hoping I’d be there.”
“But—”
“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened.” He paused, sat back in the seat and ran a hand through his hair.
“And…?”
“I know I’m doing a shitty job at explaining why I’ve got to do what I need to do.” He gazed out the window for a few moments, saying nothing, while Olivia’s heart continued to pound. “I’d been seeing a woman over here for a few months. And she…died because of her association with me. I…care about you too much, Olivia, to risk the same thing happening to you.”
A million responses floated in her head. She wasn’t that other woman. She was capable and careful and very savvy when it came to staying out of the army’s reach. Well, except for tonight. She opened her mouth to say something…anything…but he stopped her.
“Don’t argue with me, Olivia. I’m heading back through the portal soon to get as far away as possible and let my trail run cold.”
“And how long will that be?” she asked, her voice small and quiet.
He shrugged. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
***
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” The Fixer paced around the small room at the army command center and came close to punching his fist through the drab gray wall. “I made a simple goddamn inquiry about the resident of that apartment. That didn’t mean I wanted her picked up.”
The sergeant consulted his handheld. “That’s not what it says here. But don’t worry. She wasn’t picked up.”
“Give it to me.” The Fixer grabbed the device and checked for himself. Sure enough, the resident was to be brought in for questioning.
“Who the hell changed my order?” he asked, tossing the device carelessly onto the desktop, ignoring the sergeant’s outstretched hand. “I specifically asked for confirmation of whether or not a young woman who matched the general description I gave lived at that location. I needed photos. That’s it.”