Free BEARedtoYouBBWShifterEroticRomanceARe by Tawny Taylor Page B

carefully. “You have a point.”
    “You agree then? That we should leave?”
    “I’m beginning to appreciate the fact that it might be a good plan, at least for now.”
    “I was trying to figure out where to go.”
    “I’m thinking heading for Canada would be best. I have a passport…though I’m not sure it’s exactly legal.”
    “Oh boy.”
    “It’s worth a try. If what my boss said is true and I don’t exist here in the United States, maybe I can find a way to gain citizenship in Canada under an assumed name. Without any legal records here in Alaska, I should be untraceable.”
    “I have my passport. So, I guess we have our plan. We’ll head south. In my rental car. We’ll need to fill the tank. I’m guessing the northwestern part of Canada is pretty much like this. Lots of nature. Not a lot of Citgos. Wish I had rented something smaller that gets better gas mileage. Back home, there are gas stations on practically every corner.”
    “We can head down to White Moose by way of Dawson City. It’ll be a long drive, at least ten hours, but at least it should be relatively safe at this time of year. And we can break it up a bit, maybe have dinner in Eagle Ridge.”
    It wasn’t easy but she resisted the urge to grimace. Long car rides were not something she enjoyed. In fact, she hated them. Granted, the scenery would probably be breathtaking. And she wasn’t talking about the scenery outside.
    But ten hours? Ugh.
    Evidently, being a bear-man meant Tarik could read minds—or more likely, read her body language. As much as she tried to hide her lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming road trip, he knew she was not thrilled. He gripped her upper arms and stared long and hard in her eyes, like he was trying to hypnotize her. “You don’t have to do this.”
    “I want to help you.”
    “We can find another way to get you home, a bus—”
    “You think that’s going to be better? It would probably take twice as long by bus. No, I’m fine. At least we’ll be able to make pit stops and perhaps take an occasional break to admire the mountains or flowers or whatever. I wish those stupid air traffic controllers would get back to work. I’d fly home tomorrow. It was a blessedly short flight from Detroit. But then again, what if those thugs know where I live? Oh…” her words trailed off as she realized for the first time how unlikely it was that she’d be able to simply go home and resume her life like nothing had happened. This Omega wasn’t some junior high bully picking on a convenient target. This was a company with a lot to lose and probably gobs of money and resources. Probably long arms and lots of eyes, like the U.S. government. “We haven’t thought this completely through yet, have we?”
    “Not completely. No. It’s possible they could find out where you live and work. I don’t think you’ll be safe until I settle things with Torborg. But I’m not ready to deal with him yet. I need some time to look into some things. And I know if I show up at Omega right now, there’ll be an army there waiting for me. No, it’s better if he comes looking for me and I confront him when I’m ready.”
    “But will he go looking for you? Or will he send Joe the Kidnapper?”
    “I’m thinking he’ll come himself and try to talk me into returning to Anchorage with him. If he doesn’t, I’ll just have to improvise, find a way to make him come to me. I’ve been working for the man for years. I’ve always considered him a mentor. A friend. I’ll admit he’s harder to read than ancient Greek, but I think he’d want to keep this as quiet as possible. Sending a bunch of assassins to fill me with lead won’t accomplish what he’s after. For one thing, he’d risk someone finding proof of what he’s done.”
    “Your body?”
    “My DNA.”
    “Oh.”
    He motioned toward the kitchen. “We’d better take all the supplies we can, in case we’re forced to sleep in the truck. Blankets. Food. Cash. Clothes.