Gemma went to sit in a booth near the door, but Boone grabbed her hand. He pulled her to another booth. “Sit beside me, on this side.”
She realized how alert he was, scanning the other occupants of the diner.
Nodding, she slid into the seat, and he followed her in. His thigh brushed hers and she felt a flush of warmth.
“Why this table?” she whispered.
“Safer. No entry or exit behind us. I can see everyone who enters from here.”
Did he ever shut off that constant vigilance? Did he ever relax?
Boone perused the menu. Gemma did as well and decided to keep it simple.
The waitress pulled out a notepad. “Right, what will it be?”
“The big breakfast for me,” Boone said. “Extra serving of bacon, please. And coffee, black.”
“Gotcha, handsome. And for your beautiful wife?”
Gemma blinked and glanced at Boone. He slid an arm around her. “Honey?”
Her pulse did a little skitter. “Scrambled eggs on toast, please. And orange juice and a cappuccino.”
“I’m on it.”
“So, we’re married now?” Gemma asked softly, after the waitress had gone.
“Doesn’t hurt. If the mercs track us, they’re looking for a single man and woman, not a married couple. Muddies the trail a little bit.” He looked out the window. “I see a pay phone. I want to call Vander. Anyone bothers you, come to me.”
She nodded.
She watched him walk away with that athletic stride of his. A man who could handle whatever life threw at him.
Boone Hendrix had already proven that.
“Darlin’, I don’t blame you for eyeing your man like that.” The waitress set their drinks down. “That man is a prime American hunk.” She made a humming noise.
Heat filled Gemma’s cheeks. “Ah, thanks.”
The older woman leaned in, a conspiratorial look on her face. “Tell me he can kiss like a dream, too.”
Gemma didn’t need to lie. “He can.”
The waitress pressed a hand to her heart. “Hold on to him tightly, sweetheart. They don’t make many like him anymore. I do say, he looks like a man who carries some baggage, too, though. He a cop?”
“He was in the military.”
“Ah.” The woman nodded. “When things get hot, you hold on tight. Something tells me your man needs some sweet and soft, as well as some strength. I think you’ve got all of that. I’ll get your food.”
Gemma was eating some very good eggs when Boone returned. He pulled his plate in a little bit closer.
“Vander’s up to speed. He said to lay low. And he spoke with your father.”
“He’s okay?” She straightened. “And my mom?”
Boone nodded. “Their security team has been briefed, and your parents are on their way to LA. They’re worried about you.”
She felt a wave of love. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but they were hers, and they loved her.
“Eat up. Atlas will be desperate for his bacon soon. There’s a Walmart one town over. We’ll get some clothes for you there.”
They ate their breakfast, and Boone paid the bill. The waitress gave Gemma a wave and a wink as they left.
As predicted, Atlas was wiggling with excitement, ready to eat his bacon. The dog wolfed it down quickly.
Soon, they were back on the road.
“It’s my turn to pick the tunes next,” she said.
His lips quirked. “We’re taking it in turns? I thought the driver got to pick.”
“I’m your wife. It’s your job to make me happy.”
He shot her a look that made her skin tingle.
“I’ll do my best.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
When Boone pulled into the Shady Rest Inn just outside of Springfield, Illinois, he caught the look on Gemma’s face.
“It’s not that bad.”
She shot him a look. “Shady is the right adjective.”
“I know, but the mercs will search the good hotels looking for you. No one will expect Paul Newhouse’s daughter to stay here.”
“Boone, no one would expect anyone’s daughter to stay here.”
He cut the engine. “It’s dog friendly.”
She made an unconvinced noise. “Pretty sure Atlas doesn’t want to stay here, either.”
“Come on. We both need some rest.” He reached for the box of pizza that they’d just picked up for dinner. “Stay in the truck, so the receptionist only sees me.” He handed her the box.
She nodded.
As he walked into reception, he kept an eye on her as he showed his fake ID and paid the bored-looking lady at reception with cash. The woman was more interested in watching her television show on a small TV.
He walked back to the truck and helped Gemma out. He grabbed their bags, and they made their way to their room. The paint on the building had once been white, but it had faded to a pale, stained beige. The trim was a chipped green.
Gemma was now wearing jeans that fit her perfectly and a new sweater from Walmart. And some running shoes in her own size. She looked like a college student.
He unlocked the door and frowned. The lock was barely worth the effort. The room had two double beds, stained carpeting, and the vague smell of old cigarette smoke.
“I take it back,” Gemma said. “This place is five stars. Nothing beats stale cigarette smoke oozing from dirty carpet.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, he nudged her inside. “It’ll smell like pizza soon enough.”
Boone fed Atlas while Gemma sat cross-legged on one bed and bit into a slice of pizza. He took a chair at the rickety table.
“I used to dream of taking a road trip when I was younger. Just getting in my car and driving away. Go and live a normal life.” She looked around. “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
Boone snorted.
“I’ve been thinking about my abduction,” she said.
He lowered his slice of pizza. “And?”
“I don’t think it’s about money.”
“What makes you say that?”
“They haven’t given up. They really want something.” Her brow wrinkled.
“Did you hear something they said? About exactly what they were after or who they work for?”
“I don’t know. It’s all still blurry.” She bit into a second slice of pizza, chewed, and then swallowed. “There are still things I can’t remember.”
“You know much about your father’s company?”
“No. I’m a baker, remember.”
“But you worked for him for a few years.”
“Yes.” She licked her fingers. “After I graduated from college, I worked at Expanse.” She blew out a breath. “I was miserable. Every day my soul died a little.”
“I think it’s brave that you finally did what you really wanted to do.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
“So, you know some of your dad’s business.”
“Sure. Some of the behind-the-scenes stuff with the systems. I worked on a few different projects.” She shook her head. “Nothing that seems worthy of being abducted.” She frowned.
“What is it?”
She rubbed her forehead. “I feel like there’s a memory right there. I can’t quite see it clearly.” She blew out a frustrated breath.
“Don’t try to force it. It’ll come in time.”
“I hope so. I want to stop these guys and get my life back.”
“You’ll get there.”
She rose. “I think I’ll take a shower.” She grabbed some of her new clothes from the plastic bags and entered the tiny bathroom.