Hunting Medusa: The Medusa Trilogy, Book 1 (19 page)

Andi nodded, her lips tingling just from the brief contact.

“Good.” He bent into the backseat to pull his laptop from his backpack and then guided her into the restaurant. After they’d placed their orders, they found a table in the corner, where he booted up the computer and pulled up a travel site.

She watched his fingers tapping over the keys and recalled those fingers sliding over her. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she forced her gaze away from his hands, instead looking at the computer screen. “Scotland? You were serious?”

He nodded as he entered some info in the query boxes. “I am now.”

She pondered for a moment while he purchased tickets. “Why?” Not that a little planning time was bad. But so far?

“You have no ties there, right?”

She shook her head.

“Neither do I. It’s not the first place anyone is going to look for either of us, and that should buy us some time to figure a way out of this.” He lifted his gaze from the computer screen to meet hers. “And I
will
find a way.”

The determination in his tone made butterflies flutter to life in her belly.

His expression softened a little, and her heart beat faster as he leaned nearer.

“Number sixty-four!”

Andi jumped at the shout. “I think that’s us,” she said, her mouth still tingling in anticipation of his kiss.

“I think it is.” He kissed her, quick and hard. “Would you grab it while I pull up the other site?”

She pushed to her feet, pulse hammering in her ears. Excitement and nervousness rushed along her veins, both from his kiss and from wondering what he would find on his family’s site regarding their search. The thought made the excitement fade away as she gathered their dinner onto a tray.

Kallan’s jaw was tight when she got back to the table, though he tried to relax when she returned.

“That good, huh?” She set the tray down and started serving the food.

He moved the laptop over so there was room for everything on the table. “Sit,
meli
.”

She dropped onto the seat beside him.

“Stavros is on the hunt, but he’s got no idea where to go right now.” He caught her hand in both of his, and she realized her fingers were cold. “I’ll post, tell them I’m in the midwestern part of the country, say I missed you in Ohio and found some new leads to follow.” He held her gaze, his bright and steady. “We are getting out of the country tonight.”

She nodded, her appetite diminished.

“You need to eat anyway,” he said gently, as if her thoughts were written on her forehead. “I don’t think they’re serving dinner on the overnight flight.” He kissed her knuckles. “Then we can shop and you can try to bankrupt me.”

His teasing made her smile a little, but she looked at all the food spread in front of them, not in the mood for any of it.

Being on the run sucked, even if the sexiest man alive was with you.

After they’d eaten and Andrea had sent off a cryptic email to a cousin and one to her mother, Kallan led the way through several shops, starting with the electronics store where he found himself a new phone they could use overseas and that his family wouldn’t be able to reach him on, until they were adequately supplied with things to get them out of the country. A new suitcase, a couple changes of clothing—plus a new outfit for each to wear now so they didn’t have to travel in the same clothes they’d swum and trekked down the side of the mountain in—some toiletries, and things to occupy them on the plane, if either of them could keep from passing out with exhaustion. He knew he’d have to catch a little sleep eventually, but not until they were airborne. Then back to the car, where they emptied their backpacks into the suitcase as well, including their weapons.

Andrea smiled as she tucked her dagger into one of the inner pockets on the suitcase. “It’s a shame they won’t let me carry that on the plane.”

He laughed, making her smile deepen. “It’s probably better for everyone they don’t.” He tucked his own knives into another pocket. “We should have gotten a carry-on, too.”

She shook her head. “No need. You have your smaller pack with the laptop. That’s plenty, plus there’ll be room for the books and magazines now that everything else is out of it.” She zipped the suitcase. “I think we’re set. Are we still good?”

He checked his watch. “Perfect.”

They climbed into the front seat of the car, and he steered back onto the highway, where they made really good time all the way to Boston. For once, getting into the airport was quick and easy, though he didn’t relax his guard. There was always the off-chance one of his cousins might be flying in or out from somewhere else. It wasn’t until they were on the plane, winging their way to Scotland, that he breathed a little easier.

Andrea sat with her head back against her seat, her eyes shut, but he knew she wasn’t sleeping.

“We’re clear for now.” He covered her hand on the armrest.

“I know. It’s exhausting, being so tense all the time.” Her head shifted toward him on the headrest, and she opened her eyes. “Makes me want to go back in time to about a week ago and then just stop time.”

Sharp pain pinched at his chest. A week ago, he hadn’t gone to her house yet. He didn’t want to go back to not knowing her. Not now.

Chapter Eight

Andrea slept at last, her fingers relaxing in his. He watched her for a while in the plane’s dimly lit cabin, the way her lashes fluttered every now and then against her cheeks, her chest rising and falling evenly beneath the blanket he’d put over her earlier.

She’d tried to read a magazine, but couldn’t focus, so he’d taken it from her and tucked it away in the backpack and asked about her mountain. That relaxed her a little, and eventually, she’d simply stopped talking, exhaustion finally catching up with her.

Kallan tightened his hold on her fingers just a bit. There had to be a way to keep her safe from the rest of his family.

It was clear there was no way for his family to take the amulet, and right now he didn’t care. He just wanted the extended Tassos family not to be hunting her. At the moment, the only way he could think to stop that was for her to drop completely off the map, which they were doing.

Maybe once his own brain had rested a little, he could come up with something else.

He smiled, closing his eyes. Just a nap. He never slept well on airplanes.

This time was an exception. He woke only when Andrea nudged his elbow with hers.

He opened bleary eyes to find her shifting her seat into the upright position. “What?”

“We’re landing soon.”

He sat up straighter too, rubbing one hand over his jaw, rough with stubble.

“You snore.”

He lifted one eyebrow and turned to meet her gaze. “I do not.”

She was trying not to smile, and failing. “When you sleep sitting up, you do.” She dropped her gaze to the blanket in her lap.

He leaned in for a quick, hard kiss, and her smile was nowhere to be seen when he sat back. “I need to shave.”

Her gaze slid over his face, darkening faintly. “You look fine.”

“‘Fine’?”

Her gaze lifted to his. “Better than fine,” she whispered, her fingers rising to touch his chin.

Heat spread from the spot, and he caught her hand in his to pull it away from his face, before he forgot they were in a public place. “We’re finding a hotel close to the airport, then we can both sleep.
After.
”

Hot color washed up her cheeks, and she bit her lower lip as she glanced away.

Kallan took a deep breath. “Now quit tempting me,” he teased gruffly, dragging one hand through his hair. “Scotland is beautiful.”

“You’ve been before?”

“A couple times, but not nearly long enough.” He untangled her fingers so he could lace them with his, enjoying her warmth. “The mountains are incredible, and so are the islands.”

“Where will we go?” Curiosity lit her eyes as she turned a little in her seat so she could face him.

“We can wander until we find a spot we like.” It actually wasn’t a bad idea. He considered that. “We could head up the west coast, visit some castles and islands along the way. Or hike in the mountains.”

Andrea smiled faintly. “Like a real vacation.” Her expression was dreamy, as if she too were considering it.

“Yes. When was the last time you had one of those?”

Her smile faded. “Not since high school, with my family.”
Before she became the Medusa.
Though unspoken, the words still hung between them.

He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Then you’re overdue.”

“I don’t want to run from them for the rest of my life.” Her sharp gaze focused on his. “I can’t.”

“I won’t let him get you.” His fingers tightened even more on hers.

She took a measured breath. “I know.”

She didn’t look convinced, he realized. Or maybe he just wanted there to be something else in her face.

Andrea swallowed, then gave him a tiny smile. “So, vacation. I want to see everything.”

Kallan forced a smile for her. “I’ll see what I can do about that.” He’d do anything to keep her, but he wasn’t sure his chances were very good right now.

She leaned over the armrest and their joined hands to kiss him, lightly. “Thank you.”

He stared down at her head when she sat back and shut her eyes. He knew she was thanking him for more than the vacation. But she still didn’t fully trust him. Not in everything. Not yet.

Andi didn’t say much as they gathered their things from baggage claim in Glasgow, or while Kallan rented a car. When he saw the tiny vehicle they’d been assigned, his green eyes widened with something like dismay, and she laughed. His gaze narrowed on her face.

“Just wait.” The promise in his voice didn’t threaten violence. Only pleasure, and lots of it.

She couldn’t wait.

He did not, however, check them into a hotel near the airport, instead steering the subcompact car out of the city and into the hills to the north. They drove through several smaller towns and villages, until they came to the coast, which she’d seen only briefly from the plane earlier that morning.

It was beautiful.

She had her face nearly pressed against the window, trying to see everything—the rocky shore, the lush green of the hillside sloping down to the darker rocks, the cottages dotting the landscape. It took her a moment to realize he’d stopped the car, as her attention was focused on the dark blue-gray waves rushing up onto the rocks.

She blinked and turned to look at him.

He grinned at her. “What?”

She shot a glance past him to the low, sprawling building on the other side of the car. “Where are we?”

“Your bed awaits, Sleeping Beauty.” His tone was husky with promise and laughter.

Andi shivered, then turned her attention more fully to the inn as the discreet sign hung from the side of it proclaimed. MacInnes’s Inn, to be more accurate.

She shoved her door open and clambered out, inhaling deeply of the salty, fresh air. “Oh Gods, it’s amazing.” She met his gaze over the top of the car. “Wow.”

He grinned even wider. “I know.” He shut his door and tilted his head toward the building. “Let’s get checked in. Then you can take a walk if you want.”

She met him at the back of the car and caught his extended hand, twining their fingers. Warmth spread up her arm at the contact, and she took a breath of the cool, crisp air to distract herself.

Inside, the inn’s front room had gleaming, dark wood floors and trim, and a fire blazing in the monstrous fireplace at the opposite wall. And a petite old woman stood behind a counter that reached nearly to her shoulders, glasses perched on her nose and a welcoming smile on her lips.

Andi smiled back, unable to help herself. “Hi.”

“Good mornin’.” The woman held her gaze a moment before lifting it to Kallan’s face. “I’m guessin’ you just drove in from the airport.”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Approval lit her eyes. “I have a lovely quiet room on the shore side available.”

“We’ll take it.”

“Come, let’s deal with the formalities. Can I get you a cup of tea, dear?” She gestured to the chairs at the other end of the lobby. “I can pour you one while he takes care of the paperwork.”

“I’d love one.” Andi watched the old woman nod before walking out from behind the counter to a kitchenette on the left. When she returned a moment later, she carried a steaming pot on a tray and several cups and other things arranged on it as well. “Can I take that?”

“A poor hostess I’d be.” The old woman snorted delicately. “No, you just sit. I’m Gert, by the way.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Gert,” Kallan said when Andi opened her mouth to reply. “I’m Scott and this is Laura.”

She shut her mouth. She’d been just about to introduce herself as Andi, rather than the name on her passport. Her heart beat faster at the realization.

“Ah, nice to meet you both.” Gert set the tray down on the low table in between several chairs and a sofa. “Sit, sit.”