Page 30 of Captive of Outlaws

“Sorry, can’t hear you.” Rob doesn’t take his eyes off the road.

“I said,” I suck in a breath and futilely attempt to tuck my hair behind my ears. “Seriously?”

“Again?” He downshifts. “Seriouslywhat, Maren?”

We break out of the forest into an expanse of road and land that I don’t quite recognize.

Which is good. It means we’re not headed into town.

I don’t think.

“You said ‘your shopper’”—I draw air quotes—“and I’m asking if you’re serious.” Suddenly, though, I’m less concerned with whether or not this guy has a personal shopper, because of course he does. “Where are you taking me?”

Rob glances over the tops of his sunglasses, and the green in his eyes makes my stomach do a flip. “I told you, Maren. I’m taking you shopping. You don’t have any clothes beyond some of Tuck’s castoffs.”

“I knowthat,” I say, exasperated. “Whereare you taking me shopping?”

“Nowhere you’ve been before, I’m sure,” Rob says. “Hang on, that was awfully rude of me. I just mean...” He sucks in abreath. “No one will be looking for you there.”

“How can you be sure?” I ask. “I haven’t even told you who’s after me.”

“Afteryou?” Rob says. “I thought you wanted them to find you.”

I open my mouth, and clap it shut again. Damn it. Did he just trick me into revealing something?

But then he fishes a piece of paper from his pocket and hands it to me. It’s crumpled, but as soon as I smooth it out, I recognize it.

PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR.

“Found this in your jeans pocket,” Rob says. “The ones you left in the bathroom trash. When I noticed you weren’t in your room.”

I grip the edges of the paper, not daring to meet his eyes. I’d forgotten I’d taken it with me.

“Someoneislooking for you,” he says, still staring straight ahead. “But now I’m not sure you want to be found.”

I don’t answer, don’t confirm or deny.

“And you didn’t get that scar in the auto shop.”

Still, I say nothing. I don’t know what Icouldsay.

“Seems we’ve kidnapped a runaway,” he finishes.

“He’ll still pay for me.” I blurt it out without thinking. “A ransom, or whatever you want. He won’t like it if I come back all beat up, either.” I don’t know that this is true. Don’t know that any of this is true. But I have to plead my case. “So just don’t hurt me.”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Rob goes silent for a long moment. “Look, all of this is to say that I get it. I don’t especially want to be spotted in public, either.”

Either?

I narrow my eyes at him, watching him drive. He’s navigating us towards a country highway, mostly pickups and family SUVs with the occasional tractor-trailer. I don’t like that he’s onto me like this, but at the same time...well, he’s not handing me back over to John.

Not without a paycheck, anyway.

But for now...that means maybe, at least relative to what I’m running from, I actually am a little safe.

“Whatareyou?” I ask after a moment.

“Excuse me?” Rob says, smiling. “Whatam I? As in...am I human?”

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