That last word held an edge of panic, which Trae seemed to ignore as he said, “So who are they?”
“They’re the people who shot Egan. They’re dragon hunters.” And the scientists would be close by somewhere. If not in the car behind us, then somewhere near. They were always near.
He swore softly.
“Look, we need to get out of here,” I insisted. “We need to lose them.”
“I will, I will.”
“Before we get out of the built-up areas and onto open road. They hunt in packs. They always hunt in packs. There’ll be another car around—somewhere close.”
“You make them sound like animals,” he muttered. But nevertheless, he pressed the accelerator and the car gathered speed.
Not sharply, not enough to notice immediately, but enough to ease the clamoring of my nerves.
I looked in the vanity mirror. The big black car was still very much behind us. “Their car looks faster than ours.”
“It is.”
“Then what are we going to do if we can’t outrun them?”
“Outsmart them. You feel like breakfast?”
I blinked. “You can’t stop and eat breakfast at a time like this!”
“You tell me where in the rule book it says I can’t, and I’ll obey.”
“But—”
“I’m not a free-roaming thief for no reason, you know, so just trust the fact that I know a thing or two about getting away from people.”
His expression and voice might have been bland, but there was nothing bland about the look he cast my way. It was all dangerous, hungry male. Heat sizzled across my skin, followed by a rush of desire.
“What?” I said, voice suddenly breathless.
“Time to use the charms God and your parents gifted you with.”
“What charms in particular are we talking about?”
“That sexy body, of course.” Even as he said the words, his gaze skated downward, causing my pulse to flutter.
It sure as hell was a fine way to banish fear.
“To do what?”
The question came out breathy, and amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Make out.”
/>
“I’m not making out with you.” Though I wanted to. Lord how I wanted to.
“Not me. The cook.”
“What?” Why did this man always leave me feeling I was three steps behind?
“Of the burger joint we’re going to stop at up ahead.”