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My eyes widen in surprise, and I swallow as more guilt hits me. Andrey does these little nice little things. Like ordering my favorite yogurt when I was staying at his penthouse. Making sure all my favorite fruit was stocked. He even bought my favorite chocolate bars, which he must’ve asked my father or James about because I never told him about them.
When I was hurling my guts out at the side of the road, he knelt beside me and had everything I needed on hand when I was done. Now, he ordered ginger tea for me to go without me having to ask.
“Is everything alright?” He frowns. “Have I grown two heads?”
I laugh. “No.” I shake my head. “I just wanted to say thank you, Andrey.”
“For…” He gives me a suspicious look.
“Always anticipating what I need and ensuring you have it at hand for me.”
Again, he stares at me in shock for a moment. “You’re welcome.” I get another suspicious look. “Are you already planning your next escape?” he teases. “Or am I dying, and I don’t know about it?”
I laugh again. “You can be really sweet at times.”
“Sweet!” Andrey grabs his heart as we stand. “I wouldn’t describe myself as sweet.” He shudders. “Especially to my men and enemies.”
As we start walking toward the door, an SUV pulls up to the pumps. Andrey stops me, and we step back out of view.
“Fuck!” Andrey mutters under his breath. “They know we must be on the way to the border.”
“Shit!” I watch as a big guy gets out of the car. “That’s the guy I shot.”
“What?” Andrey looks at me in surprise but quickly gets his mind back on the situation.
“Back at the lodge.”
“There’s a back door,” the waitress tells us, balancing our plates. “I noticed you parked your car around there.” She smiles at us. “And those two aren’t cops or Feds.”
“Force of habit,” Andrey replies and looks at her suspiciously.
“I’ve been running for three years from bastards like that,” she tells us. “Now get into the kitchen.” She opens the door to the kitchen and quickly puts the plates inside. “Go to the next town over, Beebe Plain.”
“Thanks,” I say to her.
“If you head toward the farmhouse at the back of the diner, go straight past it, and you will get onto a back road that will lead to Caswell Avenue. Head west until you get to Beebe Road. That will take you to the border crossing.”
“Really, thank you…” I glance at her name badge. “Rose.”
“Of course.” Something flashes in her eyes. “Now go. And good luck. Take care of your little ones.” She smiles and glances at my stomach. “Oh..” She grabs a large silver flask. “Here’s your ginger tea.”
On impulse, I hug her. “Please be careful.”
We don’t know this woman, and here she is, risking her life to help us. My eyes mist over as Andrey drags me through the kitchen and out the back door as we hear the bell for the front of the diner open.
As we rush out the back door, the cool night air hits my face, jolting me into full alertness. Andrey guides me swiftly toward the car, his grip firm but gentle. His eyes dart around, assessing every shadow and movement.
“Stay close,” he whispers, his voice a blend of urgency and reassurance. “We need to move quickly and quietly.”
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. The fear of being caught intertwines with the adrenaline, making every step feel both urgent and surreal. I suppress a shudder as Andrey walks into the wooded area that surrounds the diner, and I spot our car hidden among the trees.
Andrey quickly unlocks it and slips inside. He starts the engine, and the car hums quietly to life, but I hold my breath as its soft purr suddenly sounds like a huge roar.
“Do you really think she’s not setting us up?” he asks, his voice low and tense. “I hope we can trust her directions and we’re not riding straight into a trap.”
“I’m sure,” I reply, my breath coming in short bursts. “I saw the pain and anger in her eyes. I think she’s been through a lot.“ My heart squeezes. “I hope she’s okay.”
“I’m sure that the huge chef who was quietly cooking in the corner and watching us with his automatic weapon on the shelf behind him will help her.” Andrey’s words make my eyes widen in alarm.
