Page 6 of Valor

“That’s fine.” She settled back in the seat. “But no funny business. You’re not sick and fighting off an infection like you were last January. If you try anything, I’ll kick you hard where it will hurt.”

He had to swallow the urge to laugh, knowing she wouldn’t appreciate his dark humor. “I promise you’re safe with me.”

“Am I?” Doubt laced her tone. “Somehow, I find that difficult to believe.”

“Emily.” He waited until she glanced over at him. “I will never hurt you.”

She held his serious gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

Resisting the urge to take her hand in his, Owen turned his attention back to the road. He was familiar with the Cody area, so staying off the main highway wasn’t that difficult. Every turn took them farther from the sirens and the gunfire at Emily’s house.

Yet sooner or later, he’d have no choice but to hit the highway, as there was only one main road that connected Cody and Greybull. Was it the right decision to leave town? Staying was a risk, especially if the Cody police decided to search the hotels in the area to find him. Or to find Emily, once they’d established she wasn’t at the house.

He gave himself a mental head slap. Emily would need to contact her brother, and soon, or the DEA agent would use every resource at his disposal to find his sister. Much like he had back in January.

“I need you to text your brother, tell him you’re safe and unhurt and that you’ll be in touch soon.” When she didn’t move, he reluctantly added, “Please. I can explain more later. But the police are likely at your house and will call your brother to let him know there’s a dead man there and that you’re missing again.”

“Great. That’s just peachy. I’m not sure Doug will believe me.” Emily shook her head wryly as she pulled out her phone to send the message. “You know he’ll want to talk to me in person and soon.”

“I know.” Owen knew he was fast losing control of the situation. There was no indication he was being followed, but that could change in a heartbeat. Especially since he was driving the dead man’s SUV. He’d need to swap this car for another set of wheels. Something not associated with him in any way. Paying for something would use up the rest of his cash reserves.

Which left only one option—he’d have to steal a ride.

He glanced at Emily, fairly certain she would not be on board with that plan. From their brief time together, he knew she was the straight-arrow type.

With a sigh, he continued heading toward Greybull. Maybe he should drive Emily to the K9 ranch and leave her with her brother and the cadre of Sullivan siblings while he figured the rest of this mess out on his own.

He glanced at her again. Was he being selfish not to drop her off? To keep her with him for a little while longer?

Oh yeah. Very selfish.

He drew in a ragged breath and told himself that he needed to do what was best for Emily. He’d drive her to Greybull, get a motel room, and have her call her brother to come and pick her up.

Making sure he was long gone before Doug and the rest of the cavalry arrived.

* * *

Despite her threat tokick Owen, Emily wasn’t afraid of the man beside her. Quite the opposite. She trusted that he would protect her. The same way he had back in January when one of the men had leered and made rude comments to her. Owen had made it clear she was off-limits and had treated her with respect. No, she wasn’t afraid of Owen.

Yet Doug would not see it that way. He’d point out the irony of a criminal protecting an innocent woman.

Her phone vibrated with an incoming text.Call me.

She swallowed a sigh.I will very soon.

Doug’s response was swift.Now!

A second later, her phone rang. She held up the screen for Owen to see, then ended the call. “He’s going to keep trying.”

“Turn your phone off,” Owen said. “You can call him once we reach the motel.”

She didn’t want to worry her brother, so she sent one last text message.I will call soon. Trust me. Em.

Then she powered down her phone.

They drove in silence for almost thirty minutes. Only when her stomach growled loud enough for Owen to hear did he turn to her. “There’s a restaurant up ahead. We’ll stop there for something to eat.”

“Thanks.” She was touched by his consideration of her needs. Which only reinforced her sense that Owen wasn’t as much of a bad guy as Doug believed.

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