“Drive casually,” Mason said as he reclined in his seat. “I don’t think they saw me get in, so there’s no need to draw attention to yourself.”
“Yes, sir.” Diane was so calm it was unsettling.
He looked up at her, watching her lean into the wheel as she steered. “Thank you,” he said, and he meant it.
“Evie’s my friend, too, you know. I want her safe as much as you do. I just wish I could have come sooner.” She glanced at his bloody leg. “We’ll need to go somewhere and patch you up. Any ideas where?”
“What’s wrong with your place?”
“My sister.” She shook her head. “Turned up unannounced. She had a fight with her boyfriend and wants to stay a few days.”
“I’m sorry.” Mason only knew one safe place. The problem was, he didn’t know how long it would be safe for. “You know where Evie lives?”
“Yep.”
“We’ll need to hide the car a few blocks away and walk the rest.”
As instructed, she stopped in the parking lot of a swimming pool and gymnasium. Her sister—who she’d borrowed the car from in the first place—would get a ticket, but it was a necessary price to pay. With Mason leaning on Diane for support, they took the quiet roads to Evie’s apartment, felt above the doorframe for the hidden key, and let themselves in.
“Listen,” Mason said, as Diane walked around the apartment for some first aid materials. “If anyone comes to the door, you might have to answer it. Say Evie is out of town for a family emergency.”
Diane returned with a damp flannel, some disinfectant, and a roll of gauze. “You think it’ll come to that?”
“She’s employed now. Her coworkers might be wondering where she is.”
“Sure.” She took a seat to patch him up, her delicate hands working with care.
Mason watched her do her thing, entirely trusting this wonderful woman. He thought about their kiss and wondered if there might be some kind of normal life for them after this. “I’m sorry about your sister’s car.”
“Ah,” she waved a hand, “don’t worry about it. She’ll understand.” She threaded through the skin, inserting some homemade stitches in perfect lines. “So, what happens next?”
“Honestly?” Mason said, gazing up at her. “I have no idea.”