Page 53 of Under Control

“So, what’s the plan now?” Danica turned back to him, her voice stone cold.

“Well, what’syourplan?” Carrick asked, pushing the conversation to where it needed to go. “What were you planning on doing with these survival skills?”

Her lips parted and he saw that she wanted to lie. He’d interviewed enough sources throughout the world, collecting intel, to know when someone didn’t want to answer a question. And just like that, she seemed nervous and searching.

And that was when he decided he absolutely had to know.

“I think we are past the smokescreen, Dani.” He laid it all out. “I need to know what you are planning. I need to know how to help you.”

She flitted her amber gaze up to him, obviously relenting. “You’re going to think it’s stupid.”

“So what. Tell me anyway.”

She shifted in the sand, barefoot, and started fiddling with the bottom edge of her pink hoodie.

She breathed out, speaking quickly, “Look… I tried to face Petrov at the wedding. I tried to talk to Andriy and tell them to leave me alone, but it didn’t work. You saw it. And now all I’ve really done is open the door even farther. They know I’ll fold like a cheap tent.”

“So?”

She pressed her eyes together as she finally said, “So, let’s be real here. I only really have one option.”

“Which is?” he asked through a clenched jaw. He knew what she was going to say and he already hated it. “What is your only option?”

“To run,” she finally admitted, opening her gentle eyes to him once again. “Get off the grid. Hide somewhere they can’t find me.”

He exhaled as he let the truth sink in. She didn’t want to fight back. She didn’t want to make a stand. She didn’t believe in herself. She was a flight risk more than anything, even at the cost of her own wellbeing.

I should have known.

“What does ‘off the grid’ mean?” he probed, trying to keep it cool.

“I’ve had friends who have lived an alternative lifestyle, and you know what? All it does is bring a person closer to nature and art.” She was obviously trying hard to convince him.And maybe herself?“I can get up to the mountains and camp, either alone or with others.”

“Living off the land? Living in a tent in the forest?” he shot back. “Is that part of your vegan crap?”

“Something like that,” she whispered. “People do it.”

Assessing her, he felt her deep anxiety. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in a place for pussyfooting.

“That plan is dumb as fuck. Are you high?”

“What?” she gasped. “Listen… I recognize it’s not a great first choice, but I’m looking at Plan B here. I’m trying to find a way to just be free.”

“I’m not going to let you do something as dumb as that. You should have a real life.” He waved his hand, holding his ground. “I’ll help you.”

But thenshepushed back.

“It’s not up to you,” she snapped, crossing her arms tighter across her chest. “You can’t run my life.” Her gaze was fierce, strong.

Carrick leaned back, looking down at her in amazement. Why the fuck couldn’t she stand up to Petrov like that? Didn’t she see what she was already capable of?

“This is a free country, Dani. You don’t have to run from anyone,” he implored. “We can have them charged. We can fight back against them. There are grown-up ways to deal with this.”

She stepped back, blinking out a few big tears. “I am not a Navy SEAL, Carrick. I can’t do what you do.”

“Yes, you can,” he urged.

But she took another step back, accidentally stumbling and falling down into the hot sand.Shit, Carrick thought as he watched an expression flash across her face. He’d recognize it any day.

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