Nowhere to Run - Chapter 22

They drove through the night. Stopping once to stretch their legs and get gas. Michael took the opportunity to acquire another car. When she came out of the restroom, he had just finished switching plates on the Cameron he found with a Ford Explorer with Oklahoma plates. They were back on the road so quickly, Evie thought they were getting it down to a science.

Evie took a turn at the wheel while Michael dozed. When they were just crossing the North Carolina boarder when she nudged him awake.

     “Michael?”

     He came awake with a start. Sitting up and grabbing the dash, he swung around, his eyes scanning the road.

     “Calm down, its ok. I think I took a wrong turn somewhere. We just crossed into North Carolina."

     “No, I-a-I was gonna talk to you about this.” He straighten and wiped the sleep from his eyes.

     Evie eyed him warily.  Since they left the restaurant the night before they hadn’t really talked about a destination.  Evie just assumed they were going to Mexico.   After that last close call, she was also rethinking staying in the states. But she wasn’t going to let him leave her in Mexico. Instead she had ideas of the two of them finding a place together down there where The Team couldn’t find them.

After almost losing him at the restaurant, she decided wherever he went, she was going, too. He was worth fighting for.

“Please don’t tell me you figured out another place to dump me, because it’s not going to happen. We’re partners. Like Bonnie and Clyde, Anthony and Cleopatra, we stick together.”

“Is that right?” Michael reached around to get a soda out of the cooler on the floor in the back.

    

****

     As dawn was breaking, they stopped at a diner just off the main road. It was a quaint little place with red leather booths and silver Formica tables. An old time juke box in the corner made it feel like they had stepped into the 1950’s. They ordered coffee from a waitress wearing a poodle skirt and settled back to relax.

     “You need a shave.” Evie observed, resisting the urge to reach out and touch his face.  

     Michael rubbed his jaw. “I was thinking of growing a beard. You know, to change my appearance.”

     Evie smiled.

     “I take it you would like that idea?”

     “I’ll let you know when I see it grown in.”

     “Fair enough.”

     Finally, when she couldn’t stand it anymore Evie asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”

     “First I want to tell you how sorry I am that I dragged you into this.”

     “You didn’t drag me, you saved me.”

     Michael let a small smile cross his lips. “Alright, but I’m sorry your life has been torn apart.”

     “Stop it!” Evie slammed her hand down on the table attracting the attention of several other diners.

     “Sorry,” she said, lowering her voice. “But you didn’t do this.  They did. You only tried to do what was right. So don’t you dare apologize again. I'm sick of hearing it!”

     He had the good manners to look contrite, "Yes, ma'am."

     Reaching out, she took his hand in both of hers. She just had to touch him. The thought of him being on the run, alone for the past three years broke her heart. No real friends, no hope for any real future. 

She knew how he felt, well, almost knew.  She corrected herself mentally.  When she was with Scott, it was almost like being on the run. She was always standing on the edge, waiting for the bomb to drop.  Her emotions running far from common sense and making her one jumbled mess of confusing thoughts.  She never knew who she could trust back then either. Everyone seemed to be Scott’s friend.

     Michael cleared his throat, bringing Evie out of her thoughts. She found herself still holding his hand and stroking his fingers lovingly. Her hand stilled.

     “Evie,” Michael gave her hand a quick squeeze and pulled back. “I want to find you a life. I don’t want you to have to live on the run like this. I could get you a new identity, find you a place to live.”

     Evie smiled. When was he going to learn he wasn’t going to get rid of her that easily? She was here for the long haul no matter where it may take them. She started to protest, but Michael held up a hand to quiet her.

     “Or, if you’re opposed to that, I have plan B. And I hope it can set us both free. But it’s very risky.”

     Her heart soared at his words. “Free? Both of us?”

Freedom from worrying about The Team and their murderous ways would be like a gift from heaven. But was it too good to be true?

“Tell me.” She said and listened to Michael lay out the plan. It was crazy. It was impossible, but it was their only hope. If they didn’t get killed in the process.

After hearing all Michael had to say, Evie agreed. “I think it’s a good plan with one flaw.”

Michael gave her a quizzical look.

“If you think you’re going in alone, you’re dead wrong. I intended to be at you’re side every step of the way. Remember, we’re partners.”

“I’ll find a place for you to stay and come for you as soon as I have what I need.”

He wasn’t listening. Evie nodded. “You think so?”

“I won’t put you in danger. You have to listen to me on this point.”

“I think—“

Michael cut her off, “Please, do this one thing for me. Stay safe.”

Evie sighed and finally, she nodded, pretending to agree with him. 

Michael’s plan had them going right up to the Team offices in Richmond, Virginia. It was daring and dangerous, but the only way he could think of to free them.

Michael stopped just before reaching the boarder of North Carolina and Virginia. They checked into a Hampton Inn and took their bag up to the room.

“This is beautiful." Evie sighed as she lay down on the king-sized bed.  "This is the nicest place we ever stayed in."

Then she sat up. "Was it terribly expensive?"

"Don't worry. You deserve one night of luxury."

Michael set the duffel bag on the luggage rack and smiled down at her lounging on the bed. 

"This is my kind of place!" She laughed, kicking off her shoes and rumpling the soft covers.

“How about a drink?" He asked opening the small refrigerator.

"Sure, do they have ginger ale in there?" Evie sat up and moved to the end of the bed.

"I was thinking about something more like champagne." Michael lifted a couple of small bottles from the shelf and held them up for her to see.

"Champagne?" Evie stared at him, "Michael that has to be too expensive. Those honor bars are really pricey."

"It doesn't matter." He proceeded to open the bottles, and pour the champagne into the small glasses from the bar. "Tonight nothing matters….but you and me."

"Oh, Michael." She stood and accepted the glass of bubbly.

"I may not be able to give you tomorrow, but I can give you this." He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “I love you, Evie. I will always love you."

"Love you too, forever."

Setting his glass on the nightstand, Michael swept her up in his arms and her glass of champagne fell to the carpet.

"Oh!"

"Let it go, Evie. Let it go." He whispered. Lowering her to the bed, Michael's hands went to the buttons of her shirt.  Slowly easing each open while his hot kisses trailed over her neck and breasts making her burn with desire. Each inch seared her skin making his slow trek delightfully agonizing.

Her hands attempted to pull the shirt from the waistband of his trousers, but he pushed them away.

"Not yet…" he passionately kissed her mouth before returning to his torturous treck down her body. He undressed her inch by inch, savoring each luscious mouthful as he made his way. Tugging the snap on her jeans, he pulled down the zipper with a slow, deliberate motion that made her toes curl. She locked her hands in his silky black hair as she alternately pushed him away, just to pull him back again. When his lips touched her belly and wandered lower she moaned. It was the most exquisite torture she could ever imagine.

     His strong hands slid the jeans off her hips and swept them away with her panties. Coming back up to kiss her once on the lips he pulled away and took that moment to remove his own clothes. Evie watched, mesmerized by his movements. Appreciating every inch he uncovered.

He took his glass of champagne then and joined her on the bed, stretching out beside her, he touched the glass to her lips and she drank. Then slowly he trailed a dribble of champagne down her body, over her breasts, belly and beyond. His tongue followed, lapping up the sweet nectar as he took her to new heights of ecstasy.

She gave herself over to him again and again that night and Michael was right. Nothing mattered, but tonight.