Chapter 8
The rain eased slightly, leaving the windows streaked and shining.
The road ahead opened toward a wider stretch between dark trees.
Matthew’s convoy adjusted around them without a word from him now, as if every driver knew the next move before it was needed.
Elena watched the coordinated motion in stunned silence.
“How do they know what to do?”
Matthew looked toward the windshield.
“Training.”
“Security training?”
“Yes.”
“That is not the whole answer.”
“No.”
She almost laughed.
He was impossible.
Terrifyingly honest and completely withholding at the same time.
The driver spoke again.
“Sir, rear vehicle is no longer attempting to pass. Distance increasing.”
Matthew nodded.
“Keep formation.”
Elena felt her body begin to shake now that immediate impact seemed less likely.
The adrenaline was leaving.
Pain arrived in its place.
Her cheek.
Her ankles.
Her shoulder where someone had gripped too hard before she ran.
Matthew reached toward the medical packet but stopped before touching it.
“May I?”
The question unsettled her more than if he had simply taken it.
She nodded.
He opened the packet and removed a small sterile cloth, then handed it to her instead of using it himself.
She took it with trembling fingers.
“Thank you.”
He looked out the window.
“Don’t thank me yet.”
That made her look up.
“Why?”
“Because safety has stages.”
“And what stage is this?”
“Getting you out of their reach.”
“What comes after?”
His face went unreadable.
“Questions.”
Elena pressed the cloth gently to a scratch near her ankle.
“From you?”
“Some.”
“From the police?”
He did not answer.
Her hand stilled.
Matthew noticed.
“I won’t hand you to anyone without telling you first.”
That was not the same as saying no.
But it was something.
A dark SUV from Matthew’s convoy slowed beside them, windows tinted, shape reflected in the rain.
Elena looked at it.
“Do they know who I am?”
Matthew’s eyes stayed forward.
“They know you are under my protection.”
The words settled over her like warmth and warning at once.
Under my protection.
Not free.
Not trapped.
Something in between.
The driver looked at the mirror again.
“Sir, the rear car is falling back.”
Matthew’s jaw remained tight.
May you like
“They’re not done.”
Read Chapter 9 👉 Because the pursuers fell back, but Matthew did not believe for a second that the hunt had ended.
