“Because it’s the polite thing to do,” Daniel said.
“No. Why has she gone to so much trouble for us?” Lea asked, as they headed for the bedroom.
“I don’t know. Not everyone is bad. We’ve just seen the worst of it the past couple of years, but before, when I travelled round with your mom, we met some great people,” he said, showing her the clothes.
“I’ll look like a girl,” Lea said, picking up the pretty clothes.
“You are a girl,” he said, stroking her head and then bending down to kiss her. “Now get dressed. It’ll be good not to be able to smell you before I see you.”
She picked up a sneaker and threw it at him. He ducked, saying “missed,” over his shoulder as he left the room.
She giggled, he was sure she did. He couldn’t remember the last time he had heard her do anything other than whisper or cry. A smile slipped onto his lips as if it was the most natural thing in the world. They were both different people already, thanks to Lottie.
“Does she like the clothes?” Lottie asked.
“She does. Although she might not tell you that.” He accepted the coffee from her, sipping the biter liquid and feeling the immediate buzz of caffeine as it penetrated his brain. “Can’t remember the last time I tasted coffee.”
“How long were you there?” she asked.
“Two years.” He saw her hand tremble, but she took a deep breath and relaxed. While he sipped his coffee, he watched her work, packing food away for them and then making a hot thermos of coffee. It was nice, ordinary, they could be any two people in the whole world. Just two normal people packing a picnic for a road trip instead of a furtive shifter and his rescuer.
“That must have been incredibly tough. Mentally as well as physically,” she said, her voice level, but strained.
“Yes. It was.” He didn’t want to talk about it. Not now. It was a thing to be forgotten, to be put so far in the past that it might not be real.
“OK.” She looked up at him, pity in her eyes, but she didn’t ask any more questions. And he knew then that she had ghosts of her own, that she knew that some things were best not thought of and not spoken of. And he wanted to know what haunted her.
“Lottie. Are you sure this is OK?” he asked.
“Yes. I just…” She came close to him, and for one earth-shuddering moment he wondered if she wanted him to kiss her. She was so close, he could feel the heat from her skin. But her voice was small, scared. “If anything happens, you run. You have the money and you go and live a good life in Shifters Prime.”
“I don’t understand,” he said, frowning.
She broke away. “It’s nothing. We’ll be fine.” Turning back, she was about to speak again, and then her eyes drifted down and he felt the presence of Lea standing behind him.
“Wow. You look … normal,” he said, taking in the pretty T-shirt and jeans. Her hair was brushed, shining golden like the sun. On her feet were cute sneakers with sparkles down the side. And despite her words about not wanting to look like a girl, he could see how pleased she was, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “We’re ready to go.”
“Then let’s get to the car. I’ll have to stop for fuel later, but let’s get some distance between us and the circus.” She went to the bedroom and fetched two backpacks. They packed the clothes into one, Lottie including some toiletries and a hairbrush for Lea. The food went into another pack, and then they loaded up the car and began the journey towards their future.
But sometimes the past is impossible to leave behind.
Chapter Nine – Lottie
Lottie sat for a moment, her hands on the steering wheel, her foot hovering over the gas pedal. Her normal, safe life was over, she realised that now; she had raised her head above the crowd and there was a good chance she was no longer safe. Not least from the angry lion tamer who might be out there, hunting them down.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Yes. Yes, of course,” she said, and put her foot down, pulling off her drive and out onto the street. She took a look back at her house, remembering why she had chosen it. Everything about this suburb screamed normal, and when she moved here that was what she wanted, to be normal.
Yet it wasn’t her; it wasn’t what her parents had raised her to be.
Her brain seemed to shift, parts of it waking up, switching on her survival mechanism. She would not be a victim to her past any longer.
The sun was just beginning to cast its rays across the city as they made their way out onto the open roads, which were still quiet, making the journey quicker. Every so often she would look in her mirror, sure she would see someone following them, but she didn’t. Cars came and went, but the road kept on going, and she began to relax and enjoy getting out of the city.
Beside her, Daniel dozed, and in the back, Lea was fast asleep. They were exhausted, as if they hadn’t slept for years, and maybe they hadn’t. A cold cage was not exactly the best place for a good night’s sleep.
“Where are we?” Daniel said at last, sitting up, his eyes heavy.
“About halfway there,” Lottie said. “But we’re going to have to stop for gas.”
For the last few miles she had been watching the gauge. They would be out of fuel if they didn’t stop soon.
“OK, I’ll wake Lea. She’s going to need the bathroom, then we may get a clear run to the border,” Daniel said, hopefully.
“I think we might, it’ll get busier soon. People will be starting their commute. Not sure how busy the border crossing gets, though.”
“Nor do I. We kept well away from it,” Daniel said.
“Why?” Lottie couldn’t help herself asking.
“There are people in the Prime that are a threat to me.”
“Really?” she asked. “Will you be safe when you cross?”
“We’re going to keep well away from where I was born. It’s a big enough place that we can find somewhere to live, I’ll get a job, and Lea can go to school,” Daniel said.
“She’s never been to school?” Lottie asked.
“No. She doesn’t exist, so no school.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t exist?” Lottie asked.
“Her mom gave birth to her in a cave, high up in the mountains. It was the only way.” He turned and looked at Lottie. “If she had gone to a hospital, we would all have been sent back over the border. Nora said it wasn’t safe.”
“But now it’s safer than staying here,” she said, nodding. “You’re in an impossible position.”
“Yes. We have to risk the other side of the border. I’ll find someone to look after Lea if I need to. If trouble comes, I’ll make sure she is cared for.”
“What kind of trouble?” she asked.
“Gas station,” he said, pointing up ahead, and the question was dropped.
Lottie turned off the ignition. They could get the gas on the way out. Right now, she needed the bathroom and some coffee. Getting out, she stretched and reached for her purse, watching as Daniel gently woke Lea and then took her hand, and they all walked together towards the diner.
Glancing up at him, she stopped in her tracks and said, “Wait, you need to pull your sweater up so no one can see your collar.”
His hand went to the silver collar around his neck. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“Here,” she said standing on tiptoe to pull his sweater up around it. “That’s better.” Her fingers stroked his skin and she saw his eyes flash, and his gaze fixed on hers, but she resisted the urge to lift her eyes to his and swim in her desire. Instead, she glanced down at Lea. “Let’s put a scarf around yours.”
Lea stood patiently while Lottie dug in her purse and came up with a pretty pink silk scarf with flowers on. She tied it carefully, trying not to react when she saw the small sores on the young girl’s skin.
“Thank you,” Lea said, smiling shyly.
“You’re welcome, Lea. Shall we go eat? I’m starving,” she said, pushing the door open and walking in.
She looked around, as she usually did out of habit, noting that the place was practically empty. Only three other patrons were sitting down eating breakfast.
They found a booth, and Lea slid in first, still looking sleepy. “Do you want some orange juice, Lea?” Lottie asked.
The little girl nodded and then yawned. “And can I have some pancakes?” she asked. “Remember when you used to describe pancakes to me?”
“I sure do,” Daniel said, turning and smiling. “You know, I think I’ll have pancakes too.”
“That makes three of us,” Lottie said, her stomach growling in anticipation. The waitress came over and they placed their order, Lottie adding a plate of eggs and bacon too. “We’re sure to eat that between us.”
“You didn’t have to,” Daniel said.
“Can’t have you leaving here with an empty stomach.” She shuffled in her seat, feeling his eyes on her while Lea stared out of the window.
“Everything is so pretty,” Lea said. “The trees, they sway in the wind. Will it be like this in Shifters Prime?”
“Yes, it will. Your mom told me it was beautiful there. We’ll be able to swim in rivers and climb trees,” Daniel said wistfully.
Lea leaned across to him and asked, “As lions?”
“Yes, little cub, as lions.”
She smiled happily, making Lottie tear up. “I should go to the bathroom.”
Sliding out of her seat, Lottie headed to the back of the diner, and into the bathroom. Letting out a long sigh, she knew she was going to miss Daniel and Lea when they left. And once they did, she planned to move on again, find somewhere smaller, a village where she could become part of a community. She missed that. Growing up, she had played in the fields out the back of her house, climbing trees in the local wood and generally living a carefree life.
That was how she wanted her children to grow up. A familiar ache throbbed in her chest. She had lost one family, and then spent so long thinking she didn’t need one. Seeing Daniel and Lea made her think it was time she had a family of her own. Which meant dating. Taking those risks her parents would want her to take.
“That smells good,” she said going back to the table.
“Tastes good too,” Lea said with a mouthful of pancakes.
“Hope you don’t mind, we started without you,” Daniel said, swallowing down a mouthful of pancakes that he had smothered in maple syrup.
“Not at all,” she said, taking a bite. “Wow, these are good. Nothing like warm pancakes in the morning.”
“Do you mind?” he asked, indicating the plate of eggs. “Now it’s here, I’m ravenous.”
“Go ahead,” she said, sipping her coffee. “How about you, Lea? Do you want anything else to eat?”
“Maybe ice cream,” she said.
“Ice cream, OK, might be a bit early,” Lottie said.
“Please. Every day there was a show, other kids got to eat ice cream and candy floss while they petted me,” she said, shoving more pancakes in her mouth and chewing slowly, an expression of ecstasy on her face. “I always wanted to lick it, just to see how cold it was on my tongue.”
“Then ice cream it is,” Lottie said. She couldn’t comprehend the torture these two people had gone through. And to come out of it and still be hopeful! “As soon as you’re ready we’ll get back on the road.”
“We should go now,” Daniel said, suddenly making a move to leave.
“Is everything OK?” Lottie said, eating the rest of her breakfast and gulping her coffee down.
He leaned down, his body shielding her from the other diners, and said quietly, “Your face just popped up on the TV.”
She nearly choked on her food. “Damn.”
“So let’s go, nice and quietly,” he said.
“What about my ice cream?” Lea asked miserably.
“Here, you take the money and get the ice cream; I’ll go out and get in the car. They won’t notice me, they’ll be too busy watching you,” Lottie said, gathering her purse and sliding out of the booth. Keeping her head down, and trying not to look too obvious, she headed out of the diner and got in the car.
Instead of waiting she pulled round and filled up with gas, watching for Daniel and Lea to come out of the diner. “I’ll pay for the gas and then we can hit the road.”
“You sure it’s safe for you to go in there? I could go in and pay instead,” he said his voice full of concern. “I’m sorry we dragged you into this.”
“It’s not your fault. I knew what I was doing,” she said, looking into the store. “I have to pay with my credit card, so I’ll have to go in. Hopefully he won’t have the TV on.”
“We’ll be waiting in the car. Anything happens, just run,” he said, concerned.
She took her keys and handed them to him. “If anything happens you drive, leave me here and get across the border. You have the money I gave you.”
He took her hand, but instead of taking the keys from her, he held it, the warmth of his skin chasing the dread from her bones. “We leave together. If you need protecting, I’ll take my collar off.”
“No,” she said, pulling back from him and stepping away. “They will shoot you. And Lea. What about her?”
She turned her back to him and walked into the store with more confidence than she felt. “I’ll only be a minute.”
She heard the car doors open and close as they got inside. Mentally she tried to figure how she would get out of the store by the quickest route. But when she looked up, the young guy behind the counter was too busy texting on his phone to notice her, not even looking up when she paid for the fuel.
Taking her card back, she tucked it into her purse and made for the door, keeping a nice steady pace, when all she wanted to do was run.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she said as she pulled the car door shut and started the engine.
“No you’re not. You’re strong, Lottie. Now pull out nice and slow and let’s get going.”
She did as he said, wanting to get them to the border, and wishing she could go with them across it and leave all the bad memories behind.
Chapter Ten – Daniel
He was worried. When he went across the border into Shifters Prime with Lea, he would be leaving Lottie behind to deal with the repercussions of helping them.
“Will you be OK?” he asked, seeing the way she clutched the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road; he got the feeling she was driving on auto pilot.
She nodded. “Sure.”
“I wish there was something I could do. To stop you getting into trouble for helping us.” He was silent and then said, “Why not tell them we made you do it?”
“It’s OK,” she said, but the tone of her voice told him it wasn’t.
In the back seat, Lea was contentedly licking her ice cream, savouring every drop. He was torn, feeling his need to get Lea to safety, but battling with the need to protect Lottie. But why? Yes, Lottie had helped them, but was that enough for him to feel so strongly about leaving her in trouble with the police?
“Lottie. Tell them whatever you have to. The police will believe I forced you.”
She shook her head. “It’s not the police I’m worried about.”
He frowned. “Trevor, from the circus? Damn.”
“Not him either,” she said, her voice trembling.
He didn’t know what she meant, but he knew she was scared; he had been scared enough times in the past couple of years to know that look. “Tell me.”
She shook her head again. “It’s nothing you can help me with.”
“I feel responsible.” He did. Really responsible for her and her safety. Going over their time together, he tried to identify just what it was about her he was attracted to.
In the back of his mind, his lion shifted, the tenuous link between them making it difficult for Daniel to understand what his lion was trying to tell him. If only he could take this collar off. Yet he daren’t risk it, he had been trained to shift immediately into his lion and he didn
’t know if he had the control to stop himself. So the collar had to stay on until he was over the border, and he had to understand what was going on here without his lion’s intuitive help.
“Daniel, this has nothing to do with you,” she said. “Let’s focus on getting you home.”
“Home,” he said, sitting back, trying to relax. “I always thought of this as being my home.”
“Do you remember Shifters Prime at all?” she asked, and he knew the other conversation was closed. He didn’t push her, it was her choice; they both had secrets, both had things that were hard to share.
“Some. I remember my father’s face. A vague memory of my mother. More of a sense of her, you know?”
“Yes, I know,” she said, her eyes misting a little, giving him some clue as to where her hurt lay. “Are they dead?”
“My father, yes, it’s why Nora, Lea’s mom, came here. She brought me here to protect me.”
“From what?” Lottie asked.
“The man who murdered my father.”
“Didn’t he get brought to justice?” she asked.
“I don’t think so. Things didn’t work that way in the Prime. And when she came here, Nora cut off all ties with anyone she ever knew. So he might have.” Daniel felt the ghost of Nora on his shoulder; she had given up everything for him. And for his mother. Nora said they had been best friends, and so when someone had to run, taking Daniel to safety, she had volunteered.
“I’m sorry,” Lottie said. “And you don’t know what happened to your mom?”
“No, nor my brothers.”
“Do you want to know?” Lottie asked.
“I don’t know. When I was a kid, yes, I did. The last few years though, I’ve thought about it, and now I just want me and Lea to find somewhere safe, no family politics to get caught up in. Or death threats if the murderer is still on the loose. So we’ll go and find somewhere quiet to live. I’ve had enough excitement to last me for ever.”
“We’re on Team Vagabond,” Lea piped up.
“What’s Team Vagabond?” Lottie asked, looking at Lea in her mirror.
“That’s what we said we would be when we were free. We spent so much time in cages; we are going to walk until we can’t walk any further.”
Freeing A Lion: BBW Paranormal Lion Shape Shifter Romance (Sleeping Lions - Shifters Prime Book 2) Page 4
