She blinked at the abrupt change of topic and nodded.
Back on the road, he asked many questions. What did Sophie know about Commandant Jaros? What did he spend his day doing? Did he work surrounded by guards, or was he more informal? What had she bribed the guards with? How secure was she in their ability to stay bought? The questions went on for nearly an hour. Then he lapsed into silence, his hands tapping constantly on the wheel. She could practically hear the gears grinding in his mind.
An exit sign loomed, to which someone had attached a hand-lettered board indicating this was the last gas station before entering the militarized zone. Michael signaled to pull off. Sophie was fine with that since she needed to pee. When she came out of the bathroom, he was tossing a bottle of water from one hand to the other.
Once in the SUV, he produced a handful of pills. “Medication time,” he said with a stiff smile.
“Thank you so much, Dr. Nariovsky-Trent,” she said sourly, opening her water. He shook the pills into her hand: the anti-parasitic, two antibiotic capsules, and…
“What’s this?” She nudged the red and blue capsule with her finger. “That’s new.”
“It’s a mild antiemetic. It will keep you from feeling carsick. The road from Parnaas to the camp seems to make you nauseated, and I want you to be comfortable.” He suddenly seemed uncomfortable, and she wondered if he felt affronted that she had questioned his medical expertise.
“Oh.” She swallowed everything. He watched her with a strange expression while she did it. He looked almost guilty, like he had the other evening.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. His expression immediately smoothed out.
“Nothing, mana mila. Just wishing you did not have to endure so many hardships on my behalf.” He leaned over and kissed her. It felt so good that she put her hand up behind his head to hold him there for more. His lips opened under hers, and she eased her tongue into his mouth. They kissed each other for a long time. Michael’s hand found its way under her shirt, cupping her breast, and Sophie’s was headed between his legs when someone thumped on the window. They leaped apart, startled. A couple of teenagers passed by the SUV, making lewd gestures.
She flushed with embarrassment and desire. Michael reached down and shifted the bulge in his jeans, trying to find a comfortable place.
“See what you do to me?” He grinned sheepishly as he started the SUV. She laughed as they pulled back onto the highway.
They hadn’t yet reached the Parnaas turnoff when she started to get sleepy. Probably the new medication he gave me. She laid her head back against the seat, turning so she could see Michael’s face. She yawned hugely.
“Tired, mana mila?” His voice sounded like it was coming from far away. Sophie tried to clear her head, but all she wanted was to sleep. The feeling became so strong that it was disconcerting. She decided fresh air might help, so she attempted to turn around to put the window down. Her arms felt like they weighed a ton. When she tried to move her head, none of the muscles would do as she wanted.
“Michael.” She called for him in alarm, but his name came out like mush. He looked at her, his face a picture of pain and guilt. Sophie looked back, struggling to stay conscious.
He drugged me.
Her mind reeled as she put the pieces together. The stitches he’d removed and then never asked about. The guilt. The questions. His extraordinary sweetness. Everything about his body language that suggested he was thinking hard and fast to come up with a plan.
He’s going to do something. Something dangerous. Something so dangerous that he risked my anger – risked our love – to ensure I could not stop him, could not follow him.
Shoving aside her rage, Sophie tried to reach out to him, to tell him not to do whatever he was planning.
I love you. Please don’t do this. I can’t live without you again.
Darkness claimed her.
Chapter 14
Michael watched Sophie’s hand come up toward him then fall back down again as the temazepam carried her away into unconsciousness. He saw the realization in her eyes; she knew that he’d done this to her. He hated himself for it.
He drove back to the base as fast he could without breaking the axles on the horrific road. Only a few people on scheduled days off hung about. Sophie’s Soviet guards looked at him in alarm as he roared into the compound and brought the vehicle to a screeching halt in front of the door.
She felt sure of their purchased loyalty. Michael did not.