The Summer of Fighting His Enemies-COMPLETED

Chapter Thirty

(STONE'S POV)
But was he? Was he okay with it? No, no he was not okay with it. This is exactly what he was trying to avoid. The police. The police who were very good at their jobs and in a matter of days, they would be tracked down, he would be arrested and sent back to Russia for he did not have a VISA or green card, he was there illegally. But this was for Taylor, not him, this was about bringing her home. Home in one piece, so he could allow for little errors like this from time to time. They would be safe for a while, just long enough to get back home.

"Thank you." A voice said as it cut through his inside voice

"For what?"

"For telling me your story. For getting me here safely. For-for letting me call my parents." He grunted

"You're welcome."

"No really, thank you. I know that calling them was a bad idea, but you still allowed me to call them."

"It's not big deal Taylor. Besides if they have not even made a connection as to who I am nor where I would have brought you, it is fine. We will just lay low for a couple of days."

"Are you from here?"

"Excuse me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow up as he half looked at her.

"Are. you. From. Here? The United States."

"Why would you ask?" He asked, his heart beginning to thump.

"Wel, I didn't realize it until a few days ago, but sometimes your English is choppy and you put the words backwards. Sometimes I detect a hint of an accent and sometimes I don't."

"I think it is just your ears Taylor, maybe you need to get them checked out."

"No, my ears are just fine. Why would it be so bad if your weren't from here?"

"That is an answer for another time."

Ah ha! I knew it!"  She replied excitedly as she jabbed her finger into his chest

"K-knew what."

"That you're not from here. I mean you did just say it's an answer for another time. So that must mean you're not." Stone watched her smile triumphantly. He sighed and placed both hands on the wheel.

"Just let it go. Look at the scenery around you." He jabbed his towards the window. His eyes take in the blankets of white and luxurious greens of pine trees. He heard her gasp

"OH! It's beautiful! Why didn't you tell me to look out sooner?" He held back a growl as he jammed on the gas and they zoomed across the packed snow ground. They had long turned off the road and were now just flying across open land, packed down by snowmobiles and sleds which made for a bumpy ride.

"You were so busy arguing that's why." He finally said.

"Oh for the love of pie, are you serious right now?" She asked him with a glare. He looked at her directly in the eyes

Yes. Yes I am. You think I am from somewhere just because of some grammar and an accent that comes and goes. It is just silly and I wonder how you even decided that."

"Oh for heaven sakes. I'm sorry I even said anything now. Are you going to harp on it all day?"

"No Squeaks, I won't." He replied with a wink as her angry face disappeared at the sound of her nickname. He hadn't called her that for many days now, it felt good coming off his tongue. Everything had been so serious now, so fast, so dangerous.

"Oh well okay." She sniffed and looked back out the window. He reduced his speed a little so that everything wasn't a blur and they could take it all in better. As he drove along, he wondered if she would be okay with not ever seeing her parents again, after all, someone was waiting for her at home, he decided to be brave and ask the question,

"Hey Taylor?"

"Yes?" She answered without turning around

"Will you be okay if-if you never see your parents again?" She whirled around, both eyebrows raised, a startled look on her face.

"Could that be a possibility?"

"Maybe. I-I don't know. I will return you Taylor, I will. But what if you can't go back home."

"Well, if I really can't." She paused and then furrowed her eyebrows "What kind of a question is that anyways!? Of course I will not be okay if I can't go back home. I will be devastated. I will die of a broken heart if I can't see their faces one more time before I die. I-I can't even remember what their faces looked like. I didn't even get to hear them say happy birthday to me!" Stone tuned out her shouting. He hadn't meant to make her angry, it was an honest question after all. He thought she didn't care anymore, that she wanted to make sure that her parents were safe.

"Okay okay!" He shouted. She quieted down. "I'm sorry I even asked the question."

"You should be." She said through her tears that had happened at some point in her rant.

"Really Taylor, I am sorry." He touched her leg. "It was inconsiderate of me. And of little hope to you." He watched her wipe her eyes.

"Well I'm sorry I yelled. I guess I'm just really stressed and really tired. I will try not to cry too much anymore."

"You can cry all you want. And I will try to be more sensitive. I guess growing up with a dad that beat you everyday, ends up leaving you with no remorse or feelings." With his last statement, Taylor turned and faced the window, still needing some time to contain herself. Stone turned on the music and classical music began to stream through. They were silent for the rest of the ride and soon, Stone was pulling into the driveway of the cabin. The driveway was lined with pine trees on either side, swaying majestically in the breeze. Then there on top of the cliff was his pride and joy. His safe haven from all things dangerous.