Special Offers by M. L. Ryan

Author:M. L. Ryan [Ryan, M. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban, Humor
Amazon: B0077ZJNRW
Publisher: Running With Scissors Publishing
Published: 2012-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

~12~

Alex and Sebastian wanted to take no chances that whoever was asking questions at O’Reilly’s had us under surveillance. So, the plan was for me to drop Vinnie off at Rachel and Harrison’s and then drive back home where Alex and I would sneak out and circle around to an out-of-the-way spot where he had hidden his rental car and our luggage. We even put Vinnie’s carrier inside a large, canvas shopping bag so anyone watching wouldn’t suspect we were leaving town.

When Harrison saw the bagged cat carrier, he gave me a look that expressed his confusion over the odd presentation. Fast on my feet, I quickly came up with the story that Vinnie was calmer in the car if the carrier was covered, and Harrison seemed to buy the explanation.

“Thanks guys, for taking the beast-cat on such short notice. I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry about Vinnie, he’ll be fine,” Rachel said, as she took the feline-filled carrier from me. She lifted it up so that her face was close to its door and cooed comforting nonsense at the obviously agitated cat.

I handed over another bag containing kitty accoutrements to Harrison before saying goodbye to Vinnie, who hissed in response. I did my best to pretend this was just his reaction to being confined and transported against his will, but the rejection still stung.

“I’ll let you know how long I’ll be gone as soon as I can, Rach.”

“Have fun with the nieces,” she replied, as I walked out the front door.

“Excellent improvisation in response to the query about the bagged cat,” Sebastian said approvingly as I started the car. “Your ability to deceive is exemplary, my dear.”

I supposed the comment was meant as a compliment, but I found it disconcerting how easily I crafted the lie. I just kept telling myself that this was all to make sure that no one else was in any danger, but I felt terrible keeping my friends in the dark.

I drove home and made certain that the timers my parents gave me for Christmas a couple years back were set properly to turn lights and the TV on and off. When I opened the present, I remember thinking it was a pretty lame gift I would never use. Maybe my parents’ subconsciously knew that one day I would have to flee my home and need gadgets to make it appear that I was still in residence. If I managed to make it out of this mess in one piece, I’d have to thank them more sincerely when next I saw them.

That task accomplished, Alex and I slipped out the back door. His car was parked only a half mile away, but because of the circuitous route he chose, it took us close to an hour before we hit the road.

He headed south, keeping mainly to lightly traveled roads where anyone following would be easier to notice. We left the city and drove in silence until after a half hour or so, I asked where we were going.

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