Page 43 (1/2)

She stoppedo of my arm "I…need a few minutes I should clean up"

I hesitated for auncanny and weird opened up in me--a need to comfort her Obviously what she’d experienced had to have been trau, I’d taken a step toward her An urge to gather her close and tell her everything was going to be okay rodewould not be okay in the end Not for ainst the Titans, just like she…like Alex had been a last resort

And look what that had gotten Alex Look at what that had gotten o down this road with her As soon as she saw herher ass to South Dakota, and then I was done Turning away, I headed out and went to her bag, grabbing the first sweater I saw and handing it over "Coruffly

Then I closed the door behind ainst it, I swore as I shut one out there, they would’ve kept tagging her They would’ve kept on her until there was no aether left, just like the Titans would do if they got hold of her

"Shit"

Opening my eyes, I stared blindly at the room as I heard the water co out here anyway? We were close to St Louis, and there was a coe they would be here They wouldn’t have sensed me until they were damn near on top of the motel Coincidence? I didn’t believe in that shit

We needed to hit the road

Reaching up, I stopped short of running un to dry--her blood That churning was back inas Iin front of a small, dusty mirror over a dresser

I was still standing there when Josie came out, dressed in a neeater, her hair in waves of blonde and brown around her face Neither of us spoke for a long moment

"Stay in here," I said "I need to…I need to clean up"

Her gaze bounced around the rooe of the bed, chin ducked "I’"