Sighing, I dialed my cousin. “Phoenix, I need your help with something.”
“It’s about damn time. As much as you’ve helped me and mine over the last couple of years, I’ve been waiting on the opportunity to return some of the favors. Whatcha got, man?” Phoenix asked, sounding far too pleased with my request for assistance.
I filled him in on Locks and explained the results of Spazz’s search. “Do you think Luke would help us out? I don’t want to be accused of aiding and abetting a fugitive if it turns out she is a wanted criminal.”
“I’m sure he will. He’s still trying to get off of my shit list. Send me her name and the picture.”
“Thanks, Phoenix.”
“Yep. I’ll get back to you in a bit,” he said and ended the call.
I went back inside after I finished my beer. In the kitchen, I found Locks rifling through the cabinets. “Looking for something?” I asked.
She jumped and squealed at the sound of my voice. Whirling around, she tried to glare at me through the pained grimace on her face. “Food, asshole. I was looking for something to eat so I can take my medicine.”
“Have a seat,” I said gruffly. “I’ll cook something. I’m hungry, too.”
“No, thanks. I’ll just go back upstairs until you’re finished,” she huffed.
“Kayla, sit,” I ordered.
Her eyes widened in fear, and she quietly dropped her ass onto a barstool. A part of me, a small part, felt bad for scaring her. Another part of me thought she might be a criminal trying to get anything and everything she could from me.
As I started preparing something for dinner, I decided it was well past time for the two of us to have a discussion. Splint mentioned trying a different approach to get her to talk since barking questions and demanding answers hadn’t been working. It couldn’t hurt to try his method. If it didn’t prove to be fruitful, I would revert back to barking and demanding.
“After dinner, we’ll do your dressing change and make sure you can do it by yourself. I’m sure you’re anxious to get out of here,” I said casually.
“Okay,” she replied.
I waited a few beats to see if she would say something else. When she didn’t, I continued, “I have a phone if you want to make some calls. Your friends and family are probably worried about you.”
“They knew I was going on a hiking trip and would be gone for a few days,” she replied.
“Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?” I asked.
“What?” she asked, sounding surprised by my question.
When I repeated myself, she shook her head and asked, “Why?”
“You can’t hike out of here on your injured leg, so I’ll take you to wherever you need to go,” I explained.
She looked at her lap and started fiddling with her hands. “Oh, um, that won’t be necessary. Besides, I need to look for the pack I dropped when the boars came after me.”
“Hate to break it to you, but I already searched the surrounding area. No sign of your pack.”
She huffed. “If it’s all the same to you, I would like to look for it myself.”
I was getting irritated with her. She was clearly lying to me. I watched her go into the bunker with my own damn eyes. I knew for a fact she had been staying there for several weeks, based on the amount of resources that had been used. Since the food was done, I dropped the subject and sat down beside her to eat.
She ate in silence, side-eyeing me through the entire meal. I wouldn’t have been able to keep the smirk off my face if my life depended on it. Never turning my head or my eyes in her direction, I asked, “See something you like?”
She squeaked and flinched. “E-excuse me?”
“You keep glancing at me. Why?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize I was doing that,” she said softly.
Sure she didn’t, but I let it go. The woman was a conundrum wrapped in a mystery. The reason behind her repeated glances was the least of my concerns.