Dawn Again

Nineteen

Richard had been driving for about two hours and it was nearly two in the morning. Suddenly, he heard Sophie whimper softly. She had her hands balled up into fists in her lap and she was biting down on her lower lip as if to keep from crying out loud. Richard covered her fists with his own hand and was relieved when she calmed down. He knew she needed the rest, but he also knew that he'd have to wake her up soon. They had to get rid of the car. If Quinn had found them so easily the first time, Richard had no doubt that he'd soon find out how they'd made their escape. He was also assuming that Quinn would have access to traffic cams and would be on the lookout for this car.

Richard took the exit for Ellensburg and found an all-nighter pub in a rough area. He'd have the best chance of swapping his car without too many questions being asked in just such an area. He looked at Sophie's sleeping profile and realised that she was still in her shirt dress from the dinner last evening. Definitely not something he'd want her wearing when heading into a rough neighbourhood. Come to think of it, he would not want her in a rough neighbourhood, period! But he couldn't very well leave her in the car. Realising that there was nothing for it, he gently shook her shoulder. Sophie went from a calm sleep to awake and watchful in an instant. Her midnight eyes reflected terror as she looked around. Her pulse was hammering in the hollow of her throat, and her entire body was tense as a bow. As her eyes landed on Richard, she relaxed slightly and the terror in her eyes was replaced with wariness. Richard took it all in and at that moment, as he was looking at a terrified Sophie, he could understand why Quinn would never give her up. Quinn was known as a sadistic bastard even among his teammates in spec-ops. Sophie looked utterly stunning in her terror. Richard felt like a bastard himself at finding beauty in her terror, but it was what it was. She looked mesmerising in her terror. He could imagine Quinn getting hard just looking at her and knowing that he made her look that way. Richard also realised that he would probably never know exactly what Sophie must have suffered at Quinn's hands. "Richard...?" Sophie's gentle voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he realised that she had asked him something and was waiting for an answer.

"Sorry," he muttered and continued, "We need to get rid of this car. Sooner or later, Quinn will find out that we made it away in this car and start looking for it." Sophie nodded and asked, "Are we just going to leave it? How will we get where we are going?"

"No, we will just swap it. We will find someone who wants it in that bar. I wan..." he did not get to finish his sentence. Sophie gasped with her fingers on her mouth to muffle the sound, "What when they find the car? They will hurt the person who has it!" she looked horrified at the thought.

"No, Sophie. Quinn just wants you. He will not be interested in whoever has the car. He will just ask them about us and let them go." Sophie did not look convinced but said nothing, so Richard continued, "Now when we go in there, I want you to stick close to me. Nobody will bother you as long as they are clear you are with me." Sophie smiled up at him, "One of the many perks of being the big, bad wolf?" she asked with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. Then, probably realising that she'd called him bad, she quickly tried to cover up with "Oh...I di..." She did not get to complete as Richards threw his head back and laughed out loud, "Yes. But there's a better one. Pretty girls want to stick close to us! Come on now, you minx," with that he stepped out of the car and walked round to her side. As Sophie got out of the car, he grabbed her hand in what was, although not harsh at all, clearly a possessive grip. He strode to the bar, opened the door and stepped in slightly. He kept Sophie behind him, not allowing her to enter. Only when he was sure that although rough, the crowd was generally ok, did he let her go inside. He led them to the bar and ordered a beer for himself. He looked at her, silently asking what she'd like. Sophie was happy with water.

Sophie pulled her dress further down to cover more of her legs and shifted closer to Richard as she felt eyes on her back. She was impressed by how easily Richard had struck up an easy flowing conversation with the bartender and the two men sitting on his other side. All the while his arm was around her waist declaring loud and clear that she belonged to him. So, although she felt eyes on her almost making her skin itch, no one actually dared to approach her.

"Man, I need to get rid of my girl's car," she heard Richard tell the bartender.

"What make?"

"Honda Civic," Richard grimaced as if he wouldn't want to be caught dead driving it. The bartender seemed to share the feeling.

"Hey Rhonda, honey, get over here," the bartender called out to a waitress who looked to be 30. When she was close enough, the bartender continued, "Looks like you will get your wish. He is selling his girl's car. It's a Honda Civic, in good nick." The bartender looked at Richard for confirmation of the last part to which Richard nodded.

The woman seemed sceptical about the whole thing and asked, "Why do you want to sell the car?"

"Do you see me driving a civic, love?" Richard smirked. "I have my truck, and she does not need another car."

"I'd like to see it please."

"Sure. Let's go show you your new ride."

The three of them stepped out to look at the car, for which Richard had asked for a ridiculously low price according to Sophie. The woman obviously liked the car and ten minutes later Sophie and Richard stepped out of the bar, richer by 500 dollars and poorer by a car.

After he'd taken out his huge carryall, which contained his clothes and most importantly his guns and ammo, Richard handed the car keys over to the woman, grabbed Sophie's hand and strode off. Sophie was about to ask Richard about how they were going to get to their destination when she saw him thumb down a massive 18 wheeler. After exchanging a few words with the driver Richard turned around to help Sophie into the cabin of the truck. Settling down between the driver and Sophie, he put his arm around her shoulders and was rewarded with her cuddling into him. It did not take long for her to fall back asleep.

As the morning sun hit her face, Sophie woke to find that she had fallen asleep cuddled into Richard with her head on his chest and his arm around her. She looked up to see that his eyes were closed. Hoping that he'd also gotten some sleep, she decided to not move and disturb him when he said in his heavy voice, "Morning princess. We're nearly there." In just a few minutes the driver declared, "Here you go folks. Kettle Falls." As the driver drove away after Sophie and Richard thanked him and hopped off his truck, she looked around wondering where they were. It was a beautiful area. Heavily wooded, with a chill in the high mountain air even though it was July. The morning sun made everything look like it was dusted with golden fairy dust and Sophie simply loved it.

She jerked into the present when she heard Richard's impatient, "Come on. It is a bit of a walk." With that, he hoisted up the big bag and set off into the woods. Sophie ran to catch up with him and said, "Why are we going into the forest? What sorts of animals are in there? Can I help you carry something?" Richard chuckled, "Calm down, honey. Yes. We are going into the forest. But don't worry...the bears and wolves will generally not bother us during the day. And, I have carried much heavier bags for much longer distances." At the mention of bears and wolves, Sophie moved herself closer to Richard and whispered, "Maybe you should give me a gun?"

"Not a country girl, are you?"

"Well...you did say they won't generally bother us. What if this is not a general kind of day?" Sophie insisted.

Richard simply laughed and continued. Sophie grumbled but got busy keeping pace with him. With his big boots and long strides, Richard was fast. But Sophie was finding it difficult to walk in the brush in her wedges. Add to that the fact that she had to walk two steps or more for every one of his strides. After about an hour, Sophie was getting tired, but she did not complain. Thankfully, they were now on a path of sorts, so walking was a lot easier. She was also sure that Richard had slowed their pace. Suddenly, they were in a clearing and Sophie gasped as she took in the quaint log cabin in front for her. "It has been in my family since my great grandfather built it back in the late 1800s," Richard explained. "My grandfather and father have added to it, but tried to maintain the feel." "It is beautiful." breathed Sophie, taking in the beautifully weathered mahogany logs.

Richard opened the door and stepped aside to let Sophie in. He had a strange feeling that his letting her into one of his homes was symbolic. That was a scary thought and he hurried to banish it from his head. He saw her look around at the original fireplace and the updated kitchen. She walked in and pulled the blinds and windows open to let in fresh air, and walked back toward the kitchen. As if feeling his eyes on her she looked back at him and stopped. He took a step forward and she took two corresponding steps back. Richard's smiled and prayed to god that his smile was gentle and did not reflect how he actually felt. Because of it did, she'd recognise the predator and try and run for the hills. She did see the predator in him and took a couple of more steps back. Richard did not stop. He knew that a few more steps and she'd have nowhere to run.

Sophie's back hit the stone bench of the island and she was forced to stop. One more step and Richard was on her. With her fingers curled on the edge of the bench, she pushed herself into the island and looked up at Richard. For the first time, Richard could not be sure of what he saw in her eyes. She was wary, but he was sure there was also a bit of anticipation thrown in. At least he hoped that that is what it was. His arm snaked in between her arm and body and curled around her waist. His other hand went around the back of her neck and he gently tilted her head back and covered her mouth with his. This time it did not take long for her to submit to his kiss and she opened her mouth to welcome him in. He was excited when he felt her respond. Her small and soft tongue tentatively entered his mouth and with that one tiny gesture, she conquered him.

Richard groaned and let her explore. He desperately wanted time alone with her but knew that it would be impossible until he had removed the threat from her life. He had to take the fight to Quinn and free her from his yoke...so that he would be free to yoke her!