Page 19 of August

Because his being distracted from keeping her safe could be the death of her. He had to stay vigilant, keep them moving, and remain one step ahead of the cartel at all times.

He busied himself packing, and ten minutes later Gigi walked out of the bathroom in her last set of clean clothes. “Ready when you are.” She quickly combed her wet hair into a ponytail and wiggled her feet into her shoes. With her hair pulled off her makeup-free face and her clothes hugging every sweet curve, she’d make the jaw of every guy, from Twin Falls to Seattle, drop.

He’d probably have to kill more than one motherfucker.

Shit, he had it bad.

CHAPTER 7

Gigi rolled her neck. She was starting to feel stir-crazy in the vehicle for a couple of reasons. One, she wanted to finally get home. Not to any physical dwelling in particular but to her city. To the rolling mountains, the expansive ocean, the salty breeze, and the familiar scent of Seattle. That was home.

And two, well, she needed some space from the hunky, grouchy jerk next to her. In the future, she’d test out boyfriend candidates by spending two days in a car with them. As it turned out, a lot of things about August annoyed her. Mostly his grouchiness. His grouchy side came in waves, and she suspected it had more to do with the tumultuous ground their relationship stood on rather than the circumstances they were in.

Yet, he still made butterflies swarm in her belly every time he looked at her, and her loins clenched whenever he touched her hand or knee, which he seemed to be doing a lot today. Not that she minded, but maybe that was a problem.

The sun was high in the sky and the temperature in the car was warm. August had suggested they stop only for bathroom breaks, so they could reach Seattle at a good time. Which meant lots of gas-station snacks and fast food that made her want to puke.

“I can’t wait to see Ivy,” she said softly.

He grunted. “I’m sure it’s mutual. We’ll be at Rami’s in half an hour.”

A little ball of anxiety spun in her gut. What would happen when they reached Rami and Ivy’s house? August might leave. She had to be prepared for that possibility, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to ask him about his plans. Nor would she ask him to stay. She’d hold on to what little dignity she had left.

But god. If he dropped her off and just left...

Pain pierced her heart, and she glanced down at her hands in her lap to steady her racing emotions. He’d done enough for her. She couldn’t expect him to put his life on hold. He had contracts, other clients, and a life of his own. Ivy would do everything to protect her, which meant Rami would, too.

August had told her that he’d make sure no one hurt her. That he’d face the cartel. But today was a new day, and really, he’d made those promises when he was afraid she’d run away. She didn’t take August for a liar, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t say anything he could to get her to trust him.

Shit. There could be U.S. marshals waiting at the house to whisk her away. Panic assailed her and her breath sped up, making her teeter on the edge of hyperventilating.

The music on the radio drowned out the weird noises coming from her throat. Looking out the window, she forced her mind into a calm state.

She couldn’t lose control. Not here. Not now.

The landscape whizzed by her window, and if she were the type to get carsick, the dizzying kaleidoscope of trees, trees, and more trees would’ve done it. She glanced at the side mirror and her adrenaline spiked.

A vehicle was approaching.

“Um, someone’s behind us,” she said. She was being silly. Paranoid. But after the day she’d had, paranoia was necessary for survival.

August’s chiseled jaw hardened and his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. He looked at the road again. “Probably no one. Traffic will increase now that we’re so close to the city.”

She fiddled with her fingers and glanced again at the approaching vehicle. It wasn’t closing in quickly. Still, agitation frayed her composure.

“Hey.” He glanced her way.

She stared at the slight upturn of the corner of his mouth, at the dark-blond stubble that covered his jaw, at the dimples that appeared near the corners of his eyes. Such deep eyes. Every time she looked into them, she felt as if she were staring into the depths of the jungle.

Yeah, a jungle full of predators.

That thought should scare her, but instead, lord help her, a quiver raced up her spine and delight tingled her nerve endings. She bit her bottom lip, but that was the only reaction she allowed herself. If she wasn’t careful, she’d crawl over the seats and—

“We’re fine,” he continued. His large hand stretched over her thigh. Heat radiated through her thin pants, scorching the sensitive flesh between her legs.

She huffed through her nose. “Thanks. I guess I have some PTSD.”

“That’s understandable.”

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