“Not until you’re safe,” Deklan says, “and you’re not.”
“Who is he, Dek? Why is he following me?”
“I said later.” Dek takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and then leans close to me. “Don’t push me on this, Kera. Not now. We’ll talk later, but do not cross me here. Go back to the coffee place, and tell that guy it’s your last day. Mac will stay close by and walk you home. I’ll try to explain then.”
My shoulders sag as I nod. I don’t want to quit, but I’m not going to fight about it now. Something is still going on, and I’m not going to get any answers unless I do as Deklan says.
Terry is shocked when I tell him I’m not coming back to work. He tries to get more information out of me, but I really don’t even know what to tell him. I finish my shift in silence, and Mac meets me at the door when it’s time to head home. When I get there, Deklan is on the phone. He covers the mouthpiece and tosses a suitcase at me.
“Pack,” he says.
“Pack what?”
“Everything. We’re moving.”
“Moving where?”
“Elsewhere.” He goes back to his call. “No, not there…Because it’s too close to the railroad tracks. I’ll figure it out. Mac just got here. I want you and him to go pick up the stuff we moved last week. I’ll let you know where to bring it tomorrow.”
Deklan looks over at me, sees I’m not doing anything, and then points from the suitcase to the bedroom. I cross my arms and tap my foot but don’t move. He rolls his eyes and disconnects the call.
“Pack,” he says again.
“Deklan, why are we moving?”
“Too many people know where we live,” he says. “The cops have been here. That guy has followed you here. Mac has been here now, too. It’s not safe for you. We’re moving.”
“And you think I can get all my stuff in this thing?” I point at the carryon-sized luggage.
“Get what you need for now. I’ll get the rest after I find a place.” He drops down on one knee and grabs another suitcase from the back of the closet before turning to Mac. “Go find Brian. I’ll call you later.”
“Sure, boss,” Mac says.
“Stop calling me that.” Deklan glares at him.
Mac just grins and heads out the door as Deklan heads to the bedroom and starts loading the suitcase with clothes.
“What did you do with that guy?” I ask as I follow him. “You said you would explain later.”
“I will,” Deklan says. “Later. Pack!”
“Ugh!” I grab the suitcase and toss some clothes in it, still grumbling, but I can see Deklan is a man on a mission. There is no point arguing with him now.
As soon as our necessities are in the suitcases, we leave the apartment. I’m overwhelmed and feeling pissy about having to quit the coffee shop, so I say nothing as Deklan drives us to a motel just out of town. He books a room for the night, and I flop down on the bed and glare up at him.
“I’m sorry about all of this,” Deklan says with a sigh. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but I swear it’s temporary. I’ll find a place tomorrow. I’ll find a really nice one—there are a lot available. I just need to find the right one.”
“I could help.”
“I really don’t even want you out and about by yourself.”
“And I really just wish you’d tell me what the fuck is going on!”
Deklan puts his hands over his face and rubs his eyes. He hauls our suitcases over to the chest of drawers and leans against it for a moment, running his hand through his hair. He stares at me before he sits on the bed, still tugging at the hair on the top of his head.
He needs a haircut.
“Have you remembered anything else about your kidnapping?”