Chapter 12: The Truck

Mara unlocked the door herself.

Rodney came in out of the rain with water running off his jacket and his face gray with tiredness.

"Thank God," he said, and pulled her into his arms.

He smelled of cigarettes and old coffee, the same as always, and his hug was tight and long.

She stood very still and let it happen.

"You're safe," he murmured into her hair. "I drove all night. I'm taking you out of here, right now."

"Where?"

"Denver. I told you, I have a room. We can be on the road in ten minutes."

He let go of her and looked past her shoulder.

Dean stood at the exam room door with his arms folded and his shirt buttoned wrong.

Rodney's eyes passed over him.

"You let one of them in," he said to Mara, very quietly. "After everything."

"Dean's been here since Monday."

"Monday." His voice cracked. "Mara, you should have called me."

"I did call you."

"You said you were alone."

"I lied." She held his gaze. "Rule three, Rodney. Don't lie to me. I'm just following it."

He frowned, confused, and she saw the moment he decided to ignore that.

"I'll explain on the road," he said. "Get your things. Leave the animals with the old man. I have money, I have a car, I have everything."

"What's at the address in Denver?"

"A room."

"Whose room?"

"Mine. Ours." He reached for her hand. "Please. There's no time."

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