Page 31 of His to Save
On the other hand, where would I be safer than with a police officer? And I doubt Rand would ever think to look for me there.
“You’d have your own room,” he adds. “And we have an alarm system and cameras. You’d be safe.”
Those three words, they’re my kryptonite, and judging from the small smile curling his lips, he knows it, too.
“Just until I figure something out.” I know I need to get a job to earn some money. Maybe Atlas can help me figure out some kind of online work while I’m staying with him.
“As long as you need, Pip.”
Please don’t let me regret this…
CHAPTER 10
ATLAS
“What do you need to do before we head out?” I ask, knowing eleven will be here before we know it.
Glancing around the room, I look for something I can do to help her pack up, but aside from a small pile of clothes on the dresser, the space looks untouched.
A sweet blush spreads across Nora’s cheeks as her gaze follows mine. “I, um—I wasn’t able to bring much with me, so packing shouldn’t take too long.” She swallows roughly as she looks anywhere but at me. “I was hoping to take a quick shower, too.”
I tug at my collar and then pull myself up from the floor. “I’ll just, uh, step outside while you do that.” I look toward the door as I try to wrangle the foreign discomfort swimming through me. “Give you some privacy.”
“Are you sure?” She nibbles on her lower lip, and my discomfort intensifies.
I’m not sure what in the hell is wrong with me, but I desperately need to get out of this room.
“A hundred percent.” A hundred and ten, really, because for some reason, I feel hot all over and know the crisp fall air will do me good.
“Okay.” She rises up to her knees and then stands. “Thanks, Atlas.”
“No thanks needed,” I murmur, heading for the door.
I slide my phone from my pocket as I step out of the room, hoping like hell it still has some battery left.
Ten percent; just enough to call Ellis.
My eyes bulge at the alarming number of notifications, but I guess that’s what happens when you all but go off the grid and ignore everyone for a weekend. But they’ll all have to wait.
I dial Ellis and he answers on the first ring.
“Where the hell have you been?” I don’t miss the worry in his voice. We’re both pretty good about letting the other know if we’ll be out all night, but once I realized where Nora was, I was out of there like a bat out of hell.
“I found her, Ellis. I found her.”
“Holy shit. Where? Is she okay? What’s the plan?”
“Found her at the Lakeshore Motel. Depends on how you define okay. And… I’m bringing her back to our place.” I answer his questions as rapidly as he fired them, hoping like hell he’s on board with her coming home with me.
“I’ll meet y’all there.” He sighs, and I can just picture him pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know I’m going to have to question her though, right?”
“Delicately,” I growl. Nora’s already been through so much, and I won’t let anyone else hurt her, intentionally or not. “You will question her delicately.”
“You don’t even have to worry, man. I’ll do it at the house with you there.”
My entire body sags as I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Ellis.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll meet y’all at the house, okay?”
