Race the Storm

Chapter 5

The gas station slash auto repair shop that Jax pulled into looked like it had been gathering rust and dirt since the 1960s. You could probably still smoke in the dining room. The pothole in the turn-in would have swallowed the SUV if Jax hadn't swerved around it.

Willa climbed out of the SUV, feeling out of place in her posh Estate yoga outfit. But there might be a phone inside somewhere or maybe she could borrow a cell phone, if she could get away from Jax. That was also banking on the hope that there was cell service out here.

"Come on, there's a bathroom inside," Jax said. He had a black backpack thrown over one shoulder, and he handed her a pair of sunglasses. "Put these on."

"Very incognito," she said, "You don't have hair dye and scissors in there, do you?"

"We can do that later."

If she hadn't still been freaking out inside, she would've rolled her eyes. There was no way he was going to touch her hair.

Okay, first thing's first. Before she even touched a phone she had to use the bathroom. So she quickly made her way there and said a prayer of relief when she found the one-stalled women's bathroom unoccupied. Unfortunately, it was a completely interior bathroom, so there'd be no pulling stunts like climbing out a window.

Though that also might not be the best idea when pregnant either.

And of course, Jax was waiting right outside as soon as she opened the door. Willa raised an eyebrow at him. "I wasn't going to drown in the toilet."

"No, but someone else could have grabbed you as you were exiting," he said, his eyes scanning the gas station store while he spoke. This guy definitely had issues with paranoia. Even if the Estate did want her back, she doubted they'd send the military after her.

"Umm, okay," Willa said, heading toward the food aisles. "Am I allowed to get food? Or do you think they poisoned everything in here?" Wow, she wasn't usually this snarky. Almost ever. But apparently Jax was bringing it out in her.

Calm. Be calm. Win over your captor.

Jax gave her a look that said a lot more than his words usually did.

"Okay," Willa sighed. "How many hours worth of food do I need and how much do I get to spend?" She wasn't actually invested in buying food for days. But she was hoping that he'd get tired of watching her browse for food and she could get out of there before he noticed. Luckily there was no chime on the door.

Unfortunately, pay phones didn't seem to be a thing nowadays so she was going to have to beg someone outside to use their cell phone.

One step at a time.

"Get at least a day's worth to be safe. We'll have to stop for gas by then anyway." He shrugged. "And cost..doesn't really matter. Try not to spend over 20 I guess?"

"Mm'k." Willa moved down the chips aisle as if contemplating what to get. He seemed determined to follow her. Okay, new plan.

"Can you grab some drinks? Maybe a Fiji water, and one of those cold Starbucks mocha frappuccino things too?"

He stared at her. "What?" Willa said defensively. "They said I could have one cup of coffee daily and it's ok for the baby." But the main reason she'd been so specific was that she was hoping it'd take Jax a little longer to find what she wanted.

Jax rolled his eyes, frowning for a moment, then turned and headed toward the drinks without comment. She pretended to look at the chips a little longer, which was good because he looked over his shoulder once while walking that way, then she made a break for it.