Page 69 of Raven's Hunt
“But that’s the point. You never let anyone else drive while you’re in the vehicle unless it’s only a few miles.”
He leaned in. “Figure it’s about time I made a few more changes. Besides, if I’m driving, I can’t keep an eye on you, and you’re more important.”
His words stole her breath, had her reconsidering her decision to leave, as the room tilted, her chest locked in tight. Then, Buck smiled, and just like that, everything settled.
It took twenty minutes to shimmy into some clothes, sign the paperwork and make their way out to the RV. Dalton helped her inside, sliding in behind the wheel once she and Buck had settled in.
Dalton angled a mirror toward them. “I know it’s technically not legal to ride in the back, but I can take it easy if sitting is gonna hurt.”
Tierney waved it off. “I’ll start here, let you know if I need a change.”
“Just don’t wait until you want to pound your head through a wall.”
He checked his mirrors, pulled out of the lot, joining the evening traffic. The RV swayed along, but Dalton kept the pace light, missing the worst of the potholes. Buck threaded his fingers through hers, staring at her as if he thought she might vanish.
She squeezed his hand. “I’m not going anywhere. You know that, right?”
“Damn straight. You said you loved me. I’m holding you to that.” He looked around the interior of the trailer. “I was actually thinking that Dalton was right. This thing would make a great mobile response unit, but it’s not really home.”
“It kept you safe when you needed it. That’s all that matters.”
“But it’s not just me, anymore. I want a place that keeps us safe.”
She coughed, wondering if he’d just asked her to move in with him. “I realize it might be the drugs, but did you just…” She gestured between them.
He laughed. “Did I just ask you to live with me? Yes, Tier, I did. Because that’s what, I love you, means. I want to spend my time with you. Love you all night. Wake up with you in my arms in the morning. And we can’t do that if we’re in separate places.”
“And my cabin…”
“Would make a fantastic safehouse. I just worry…”
She sighed, her heart fluttering, heat burning low in her gut. “That it’s not secure enough, especially if there’re people out there who might still see me as the ultimate prize.”
“I know it’s unlikely. And that you’re lethal in your own right. But when I saw you take that knife…” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I was thinking on the outskirts. Rural without being hermit status. And trust me… I spent years parking this thing where I hoped no one would ever find me.”
She drew him to her with a simple nod of her head, lingering in the soft kiss until he eased back. “But that was the old Buck. The new Buck needs more…”
“Of you. I just need more of you.”
She tilted her head. “Think we might be able to find something with a view? Like Nick and Sloane’s?”
“Hell, yeah. A place as unique as us. I’ll start?—”
Dalton’s cell rang, the blast of music cutting off Buck. He glanced back at them. “Sorry. I’ll…” He paused, staring at the phone. “That’s weird. It’s Avery. But she mentioned she’d be slammed all night.”
Buck motioned to the cell. “Put it on speaker because if she’s calling this soon…”
Dalton hit the button. “Avery? Everything okay?”
Static crackled over the line, her voice washing in and out as an alarm sounded in the background. What sounded like an entire room of people talking at the same time. “Turn… security… Grieves…”
“You’re breaking up. Say again. What about Grieves?”
“Grie… dead. Someone… Don’t trust…”
The line cut off.
Not dropped. Ended. Abruptly.
