Marine of Her Heart

by April Zyon

  “Sounds good. I will do that later. Maybe in the morning.” She wanted to get the hair color in first. She then wrinkled her nose. “I think that I will color my hair in the morning and try the clothes on tonight. The hair color will stink like crazy. It will be best to be able to do that just before we leave so we don’t have to try to sleep with that smell wafting around.” She looked to the bed and then him once again. “Um, are good with sleeping with me?”

  His eyes went huge and he had a shocked look on his face. “Are you propositioning me? On the first date no less,” he said in a horrified tone. “What kind of guy do you think I am, Genny?” His lips started to twitch and he grinned, laughing softly. “I’m okay with it as long as you’re fine with us sharing. I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

  “I will be fine with it. I mean, it’s not like we will be sleeping naked with each other.” A girl could hope, but she had sworn off of men too. “Your virtue is safe with me, I promise. I won’t ravish you in your sleep. You are a sexy as hell and a beautiful man, but I will manage to keep my hands above the waist, promise.”

  “Uh-huh,” he said. Victor didn’t sound like he was quite buying what she was trying to sell him. He finished his drink before starting to tidy up their mess. Once the garbage was in a bag by the door, he handed her a bunch of other bags. “Those are clothes for you to try on, some boots, socks, and the makeup. The hair dye should be in there with the makeup, as well as the flattening iron, which, I fully admit, I had to ask the sales girl for since I was completely clueless.” He rubbed a hand over his own short hair and grinned. “She was very helpful when she saw how lost and confused I was.”

  Genny gave a real and true laugh at that. “Yeah, I can see that you wouldn’t have a great need for one of them.” She was teasing him, happily, something she hadn’t done with a man in far too long. “Thank you for getting all of this. I’ll try these on and then tomorrow I will get up early so I can color my hair.” She hesitated, her fingers drumming on the tabletop. Finally, she asked him. “How long until we are back home?”

  “Depends,” he told her quietly, looking her straight in the eye. “I won’t lie, Genny. Your ex has one hell of a fucking reach on him. We’re going to be nice and lazy about our departure from the California state. We have to be very cautious, not arouse any suspicions, and just slip out of the state calm and easy like.

  She sighed and nodded. “I wish I would have known what a douchebag he was before I went out on that date with him. And it was only that. One—no, I take that back. There were two dates and that was it. From that moment on, he felt that he owned me. For a time, he was very sweet and amazing, but then he was a complete ass the rest of the time, and I couldn’t deal with it. Period.”

  “Well, that is the past. We’re now only going to worry about the present and future. And right now, you need to go and check if the clothes fit before all the stores close for the night. Then we should try and get some sleep if all is good. We will be doing some serious travel tomorrow to head further north. We’ll do that for a bit before we cut east. This will be a random, zig-zag sort of drive to get us back to Massey. Be prepared for logging a few hours on the highway.”

  “I can handle that.” She was worried because they would be on a bike. “I’m scared, though. I’m worried because of being on a bike and out in the open. I’m very hopeful that between the hair dye and the clothes it will change my visage enough. I should take my piercings out as well so that I can cover those. Kind of hard to disguise a lip piercing, isn’t it?” she asked with a smirk.

  “True enough,” he nodded slowly. Moving closer, he put his hands on her shoulders. “Do whatever you think will be the biggest impact, Genny. You worry about your appearance, and let me worry about getting you home safe and sound. I’m not going to do anything that will risk your life, promise. Now, go and try the clothes on before you drop dead from exhaustion.”

  “I will remove the piercing, and if you had trimmers or scissors, I would cut the back of my hair and leave the front long. That’s something I typically never, ever would do in a million years.” She touched her hair and shrugged. “It’s just hair, but I hate the short backs and long fronts and anyone that knows me knows exactly that.”

  He stared at her like she’d suddenly sprouted a second head. “You want to cut your hair?” he asked, his voice sounding choked. At her nod, he let out a slow breath and shook his head slightly. “All right, I have a pair in my shaving kit,” he said quietly.

  She touched her locks once more and nodded. “It will make a huge impact. Believe me, no one likes the hairstyle that I’m going to give myself.” Especially her. “And then we add in the fact that I’m going to straighten my hair and color it black…”

  “Yeah,” he said quietly with a frown. Stepping back a little, he turned her and gave her a light push toward the bathroom. “Go, try on clothing, now,” he ordered. “I’ll dig out the scissors after I clean up a bit in here, then we need to get some sleep. Don’t take too long, Genny, I need a shower at some point.”

  “Deal.” She moved away from him and into the bathroom with the clothes in hand. After she had tried them all on, she walked back out and nodded. “These are going to be just fine.”

  “Good.” He nodded, walking toward her. He had something in hand, clothing of some sort, and the scissors, which he handed to her. “For you,” he said as he slipped around her. “I’ll be out in five. Why don’t you pick your side of the bed?” he suggested before easing the bathroom door almost shut.

  “Sounds good. I will clip this in the morning right before I color it. If I do it right now, I will be all kinds of itchy and so will you during the night.” She looked to the bed and then looked to him. “I don’t like sleeping closest to the door. Are you okay with that?”

  “Best for me to be closest to the door,” he said, shutting the bathroom door completely. She heard the water come on a moment later. There was a thud, a string of curses and mutters, then nothing but the water. She looked at the clock and noticed that it took him four minutes to turn the water off. Another minute before the door opened and he came out in a pair of sweatpants riding low on his hips, his other clothing folded neatly in his hands.

  Genny was dressed for comfort only in his shirt and a pair of socks. When he walked out, she watched him, her mouth going dry. “God, you are handsome,” she blurted. “Oh, sorry.” She was blushing, again, dammit. “What happened to you?” She walked forward and touched the scars that she could see. “How did these happen?”

  He frowned down at the scars she was touching. “The bullet wounds were from various incursions we made during our time in the Corps. This.” He turned to show her his left arm with the rough skin along the upper portion. “Was from when I was a teenager and some jackoff decided to put his drunken ass in a large truck in front of me and my bike without any warning. It was highway speed, so I’m damn lucky to be alive. The friction created burns right through my leathers,” he said with a shrug.

  “Wow.” She touched the damaged skin and shook her head. “I’m seriously happy that you’re alive. With all that you have been through, I’m amazed that you are still willing to help others. You are a strong and unique man. So, thank you again. I know, I know, no need to thank you, so this is my last time. Thank you. Seriously.”

  He gave her a glare, but she could see the amusement in his eyes. “I seriously doubt that will be the last time you thank me. You seem to have a need to say the words way too much. Now, into bed, we need to get some sleep.” Victor slipped around her to drop his clothing on his bag. Crouching, he rifled through it before standing up with a big .45 in his hands that he checked over quickly and set on the nightstand on his side of the bed. She was from the south, and while she might not like weapons, she knew them, and she knew what he was holding. She could use one should the need arise.

  She took the Glock that he had given her earlier and put it into the nightstand on her side of the bed, hidden and not in cle
ar view if someone came in. She grinned. “I’m not stupid. I might not like to sleep near a door, but I’m not dumb enough to not take precautions when I can.” She climbed into the bed and turned to her side so she could watch him. “Can you kill the light before you get into bed, please?”

  He nodded at her request. Going to the door, Vic checked the locks before sliding a chair in front of it up under the handle. He checked the lone window carefully, drawing the curtains tight and only then did he turn off the overhead light. The large shape that was Victor moved toward the bed a moment before it dipped as he slid in next to her. “I never said you were stupid, Genny,” he said softly into the dark. “Why would you even say something like that anyway? We all know you’re not.”

  “Because I am,” she whispered. “I was idiot enough to get involved with that asshole. I was a fool to believe I could simply walk away from the hot mess that there was. So yeah, I guess I have been stupid in the past, but no longer. I’ve found myself again, and I’m not that naive girl that walked into this city. I’ve learned far too much to be her ever again.”

  The bed moved around as he shifted. She felt his large, slightly rough, and very warm hand come to rest on her cheek. “Genny, part of growing up is doing stupid shit. There isn’t any age limit on it. Look at ninety percent of the male population if you need an example. How many great plans start out with, ‘hey lookit this, dude?’ What you did was jump in with both feet. No one, not a single soul, can fault you for that. You have an open and giving nature. It’s who you are. Yes, it got you into a bit of a jam, but you called those you love, and who love you, for help, which is what really matters. You reached out when you were in over your head and knew it. That is fucking smart.”

  She giggled. “You know, I’ve heard more than one person say ‘hey, y’all, watch this!’ and that’s exactly how they sound.” Genny moved in a little closer to him. “I’m glad that you understand. I’ve been calling Gwennie or Rhys to get me and Ali out of trouble for far too long. I’m ready to grow up now.” She had grown up, a great deal more than she would admit. “I just want to go back home and start life again.”

  “You will,” he said softly to her. He rubbed his thumb to her cheek gently before sliding his hand down her neck, over her shoulder, and further down her arm. Catching her hand, he held it in a loose grip. “So, in this new life you’re starting, where do you see yourself going?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I just see myself going home. I will likely get a job at the diner in town just so that I’m not living off of my sister. I refuse to simply live off of her. I can’t sell my paintings right now because then he will know where I am, so that’s a dream to be shelved for a long while, sadly.” She loved to paint, so that bothered her more than she cared to admit.

  “Maybe for a time, but not forever,” he said softly. “Besides, I’m sure you could do something for the townsfolk. Maybe portraits for a period, or things that are distinctly Massey related, and sell just locally for a while. He doesn’t know where you’re from, so that’s a huge plus.”

  She shrugged and nodded. “It’s possible, but I don’t want to do anything that might pull him toward me. He doesn’t know who I am. Not really. He’s never truly known who I was. I’ve always lied about who I was there. I know that’s terrible, but at first, I did it because I didn’t want the name to follow me. I simply wanted to be able to have the freedom of being me without anyone really knowing who I was.”

  “That’s no way to live,” he said quietly. “Genny, you need to be who you are, otherwise you lose more of yourself each and every day. You’ll die a little inside each time you suppress your true nature. I’m not saying go out and announce yourself off the nearest rooftop, but quit hiding who you are, sweetheart.”

  Genny snorted and shook her head. “I don’t think I even remember who I am anymore.” She slipped her leg between his and touched her hand to his chest. “I know that I’ve always loved to dance. I’ve always loved to be able to lose myself in a song and just let my body move. I’ve loved being able to be free. I’ve loved being able to just let loose and enjoy life. Period. I think that’s who I am.”

  “Then do that,” he suggested. He moved his arm to wrap around her, drawing her in tighter against his naked chest. “Just don’t get a job at the strip joint or there will be a riot. Some things just shouldn’t ever happen, and that would be one of them.”

  Genny laughed. “I seriously doubt that anyone would cause a riot over me,” she teased, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing. “I like you. You are very easy to talk to. Besides, I wouldn’t dance naked in front of a bunch of people I’ve known all my life.”

  “Probably best you didn’t. I’d hate to have to bash all those drooling skulls together,” he muttered. Victor slid his other arm under her head, wrapping her up in his arms. “Try and get some sleep, Genny. We both need the rest, especially since we have no clue what may or may not be heading our way.”

  She was as close to him as her clothing would allow her to be. She stroked a finger over his cheek and held onto him as she did so. “This is actually far more relaxing than I had anticipated it being. You are far more soothing than I could have ever dreamed of. But I wouldn’t worry too much because most of those men have known me all my life and wouldn’t want to see me naked.”

  “Genny,” he said with a soft groan. “Trust me on this, any man worthy of calling himself such wants to see you naked. A lot. Now, before I get myself even further into trouble, sleep, please? I’m exhausted, sweetheart. You should be, too, given how your last couple of days were.” Victor rubbed her back as he tucked her head under his chin. “Sleep, sweetheart, just sleep,” he whispered in a deep rumble.

  “Sleep does sound good.” Genny rubbed her cheek to his bare chest and she smiled. “Well, I certainly am happy that at least you might want to see that. One day,” she teased and yawned. “Sleep is good. Good rest, Victor, until morning.” She brushed her lips to his chest.

  Her only answer was a low groan and a squeeze of his arms.

  Chapter Five

  The next day saw the “new” Genny walking out of the motel. When she’d exited the bathroom earlier after reinventing herself, Victor had given her a double-take and stared. It had been mildly gratifying to see him flummoxed.

  Once they were on the road, he gave her more information on his grand plan. They would meander around California for a couple of days and find a smaller secondary road to slip into southern Nevada. From there, he would take them a bit further north to skim along the southern edge of Utah. After that they would either dip down into New Mexico and cross into Oklahoma before making the turn into Texas, or he’d keep them going relatively due east through Colorado and Kansas.

  All in all, it was going to be a hell of a long trek since he wanted to stay off the main highways and out of big cities with cameras as much as possible. It made perfect sense really, but it still sounded like a long ass trip home. He had offered to get her to an airport in Utah and fly her back into Texas, trimming all that time right off. She’d be back there long before he would be, which had a couple of merits, but she wasn’t really sure if she was up for airport security. She’d told him she’d think on it and let him know.

  According to him, this was fine. They still had three days before he could get her anywhere near an acceptable airport. Shaken out of her reverie, she noticed he was slowing and pulling off the highway into a truck stop. “I need gas, and I think this is a good time to grab lunch too,” he said to her through the helmet mics. “We should likely grab a few bottles of water, juice, and some snacks too in case we don’t find a place to eat before we get a motel for the night.”

  “Water mostly because juice on the back of a bike will just have me puking.” She grinned and added, “Is there gothic water?” she teased, getting into the act that she was playing right now. “So you really don’t like the new haircut on me?” She liked the look on his face, the way that he had scrunched up his nose at her
when she walked out with the terrible haircut and dye job.

  “It’s…” He paused. “It’s interesting and definitely not your thing. Had I realized how much the color would wash you out, I wouldn’t have bothered with the makeup. It’ll be nice to have you back to normal when we get you home. Though, I do feel sorry for whatever stylist is stuck fixing your hair. I’m really regretting letting you cut it, just so you know.”

  “Well, as long as they are able to cut it and make it even I am good with it. It will grow it back. My hair grows insanely quick, so it won’t be but a few months and it will be all one length once more.” She tugged at her hair that was under the helmet and wrapped her arms around him again. “As for the color, it will wash out far too fast. Sadly.” Her hair had never taken color well, but that was a blessing in this case.

  “Good thing we have a few extra boxes. We don’t need you becoming a redhead again along the way. While I’ll be avoiding all potential areas I can with cameras, there will still be a few we can’t avoid entirely. With as psychotic as Peretti is, we have to be very careful not to let our guard down at all.” He pulled up to the gas pumps and stopped. “Why don’t you run in and get us a table while I fuel up? I’ll swing around to the door and then come in and meet you.”

  “Sounds good to me. This way I will be able to get some alone time in the bathroom as well. Because I really have to pee like a racehorse. This motorcycle certainly brings that out of me, which is weird. What about you? Should you disguise yourself as well?”

  “Why?” he asked as he helped her off. “Not like anyone saw us together, and all they’ll remember if they do is you. Trust me on that,” he said, swinging his leg over the bike to go to the pump. “You are very memorable.” Vic grinned.