Page 84 of The Code of You

I stood. My back ached, and my fingers didn’t feel like my own. I went to the kitchen area and washed my face with cold water from the basin. When I came back, Neo had already packed my bag. He took an envelope from the side pocket and held it out. I opened it. IDs. A man and a woman who, with enough imagination, looked something like us. The plastic was smooth.

"Where did . . .?”

"I had them prepared in advance. They were deposited at the gas station.”

When did he pick them up? I never let him out of sight. Goosebumps rose along my arms. My mouth was dry. "What else can you control?”

He took my chin, his gaze ominous. "I told you I’m getting stronger.”

I swallowed against the tightness in my throat and slid the ID back into its sleeve. The name wasn’t mine, but perhaps I needed a new one anyway. He had made me into someone I didn’t recognize.

"How far is it to the airport?” I asked.

"Forty-five minutes.” He checked the time. "We leave in five.”

Outside, it had grown lighter. Gray sky stretched above us. The car was waiting. I hadn’t heard it arrive.

"Is that the same car?” I asked.

"No,” said Neo. "But from the same channel.”

I got in. Neo settled beside me. We closed the doors at the same time. The tires spun on the gravel. We jolted over the track, but the pull in my stomach was stronger than the jolting beneath the wheels.

On the main road the car smoothed out, and I rested my head against the glass. My fingers lay on the bag in my lap, feeling the edges of the envelope through the fabric. In a curve the car swayed. I slid sideways. Neo’s hand closed around my arm as if he would never let go. Heat rose in my face. I looked at him.

"I notice immediately when you lose your balance,” he murmured. "I like that. That only I can catch you.”

His voice sent a flutter through my stomach. I straightened my jacket. "Is everything booked?” I asked.

"Yes. Two tickets. Connecting through Istanbul.”

The city came closer. Signs I couldn’t read. People who seemed to belong to a different time. I didn’t look at anyone directly, afraid they would notice us. Was this my life now? Would I see everyone as a threat from now on? My monster had made sure I was completely isolated, that I couldn’t trust anyone. He had me exactly as he wanted: trapped and completely dependent on him.

As we turned into the terminal forecourt, a row of cameras passed over us briefly. I held my breath, my hand tightening around the seat belt. Neo didn’t blink. As the car stopped, I took my bag and opened the door.

"Straight inside. No detours,” Neo said. "And, Pandora . . .” His hand settled on my thigh. "You belong to me. Don’t forget that. And tonight, when we’re safe, I’ll show you what that means. For hours.”

My body responded like a reflex. His obsession was my drug, and I knew it would ruin me. I wanted it anyway.

I entered the terminal behind him, felt his presence like an invisible cage around me. My pulse beat in my throat. Neo moved the way he always did, registering every shadow, every camera lens that turned toward us.

I went ahead to the machine and slid the ID from its sleeve. It felt new. I pushed it into the slot and waited for the sound that would tell me it had worked. My shoulders tensed. I tapped the screen again and again, as if that could speed anything up. The ticket came out. Thank God. I took it. Neo was already finished with his, looking at me without a trace of emotion. How did he stay so calm?

At security, three people stood ahead of me, two behind. I put my bag in the tray and pulled off my belt. With trembling hands I slipped off my jacket, pushed everything through. I breathed in and walked through the frame. No alarm. Only my heart, beating so loud I half expected it to give me away.

Neo followed. This time I held my breath. Would the scanner detect his true nature? The electronics beneath his skin? But he stepped through as if he were only a man. The woman to the side raised her head and looked at him. Longer than necessary. Her gaze lingered on his body.

My stomach clenched. He was my monster. No one else was allowed to want him.

She caught my gaze and looked away quickly.

I collected my bag, zipped my jacket, and kept walking.

Neo had apparently noticed my expression, because he smiled. "Jealous?” he whispered.

"No.”

"Liar.” His hand brushed mine. "I like it.”