Chapter Fourteen

Joey frowned at the motel room door she had just closed behind her. It had been a close call, what with O’Donnell sleeping on the bed closest to the door, but she’d managed to slip out. It had been harder than expected. Every time she’d made the slightest whisper of a sound, she’d sensed a rise in his awareness.

That he was vigilant even in sleep said something about the kind of operator he was. Since she had given him no indication that she’d planned anything tonight, his instincts were better honed than most.

She could appreciate that in a man.

Her hand tightened around the car keys she’d snatched on her way out.

Instinct screamed for her to leave right now. No one, least of all the man sleeping inside, would be able to stop her, and she damn well knew it.

It was so very tempting. She couldn’t trust this man, couldn’t trust anyone. And yet, there was something about him that had her hesitating about her following actions.

On silent feet she moved along the open walkway leading to the stairs. In her mind, annoyance boiled high, primarily because every muscle in her body ached. Too much time had passed locked away in that hellish place. Too many days doped up and tied to the bed. Her muscles had turned to mush, and it would take time and effort to regain her strength, her mobility, and most of all, her resilience.

Pretty sure they wouldn’t get away from the psychiatric hospital scot-free, that Lopez would send someone after them, she knew they’d have to be careful. If not of the law—though she doubted Lopez would resort to legal means to retrieve her—the man from the shadows.

The unknown killer would be hot on her tail within a day, two at most.

She wished like hell she knew who it was…and why he was after her. The knowledge had to be buried somewhere deep inside her, but so far it had proven elusive. She was dead certain he meant to harm her, even more so than Lopez. The awareness of his malevolent presence, of him lurking in the shadows of the hospital, had always been there.

Him, watching her. Assessing her. Waiting for the right moment to close in and finish what he’d started. Even just thinking of it made fear bubble within the tight restraints of her control.

She did not intend to give him the chance. Ditching her protector and going off on her own was her best option…once she was strong enough.

Impatiently, she dabbed at the perspiration on her upper lip. She hated every weak tremble within her ravaged body. In her present condition, she would be no match for an enthusiastic puppy, let alone a determined killer. Which, despite her doubts, made her decision to stick with O’Donnell, at least for now, a smart one.

Sure, he acted and talked all soothing-like most of the time, but she wasn’t born yesterday. Her instincts were good in that regard.

He’d be an opponent to reckon with, once he decided to take off the kid gloves.

Upon reaching the van, she unlocked it.

O’Donnell… Though her memories were vague about anything prior to her hospitalization, something about him niggled in the back of her mind. A hunter of sorts? Yes.

His reputation had been formidable, she remembered now, albeit vaguely. Nobody he’d been sent after had ever managed to get away from him.

Yet.

She smiled in the gloom, a feral grin that had nothing to do with amusement.

His reputation didn’t daunt her. She had her own formidable skills.

With a flick of her wrist, she started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. She’d use him as long as she needed to. At least until she felt ready to face her would-be killer.

Dawn was rapidly approaching, and there was much to do. Her first priority was to get her hands on some money. Her fingers, usually so nimble and adept, flexed tensely on the steering wheel. Damn drugs. She better hurry. Octavia would be eager to get started on their recovery.

And if O’Donnell woke up and found her gone, he’d be royally pissed.