Dollface

Part 30

~4:32am~
I fell asleep for most of the flight while Simon was constantly working on files. He insisted I didn't have to help him, and since I was more than okay with that, I decided to sleep off the stress.

When we arrived in the cooler temperatures of New York, I could barely keep my eyes open from the laziness of my body, though I somehow managed to keep my limp, tired legs following Simon as he went to get our luggage.

He was handling both suitcases in each hand, which made me worry about his arm.

I: Let me take mine.
S: No.
I: But what about your arm?
S: It's fine, Isa.
I: Simon, it's a gunshot wound. There's no way I'm letting you carry my bag with an injury like that.
S: Isabell.

He stops and towers over me. I felt vulnerable under his intimidating gaze, like I had absolutely nothing against him, of course I couldn't bring myself to speak then because the darkness of his eyes was like a signal for me to shut up.

S: I'll tell you this only once, and I won't repeat myself after that, the better you cooperate with me and do what I say, the sooner we will get where we need to go. Until then, you have to let me do my job.
I: O-okay...
S: Now you tell me you understand me.
I: I understand...

I follow him outside where he puts our luggage and calls a taxi. He takes off his dark sunglasses and I'm surprised when he puts them on my face.

S: You need them, it will hide your identity more.
I: Why? I have my hat.
S: Sorry to break it to you, but this baseball cap doesn't hide much. Plus the sunglasses, it's a caution.

I roll my eyes as he opens the door and gets in behind me, and in the taxi I force myself to stop thinking about that kiss. I longed to know what was going on in his complex mind instead of tormenting my own with my constant overthinking.

When he kissed me I thought maybe he was a little changed but of course proven wrong as he doesn't seem to show any interest in me whatever now that it's happened. I know he won't talk about it because if I bring it up I'm automatically an idiot. I can never win with him.

Everything I knew while sitting in that taxi with him, our bodies wide apart on either side, I never wanted to kiss him again.

I: Where are we staying?

I asked him, racking my brain for something to say to distract myself from the images playing in my head.

S: Her father owns a building Johnny and I got cornered with security five months ago. It has some of the most advanced security systems out there, it's almost impossible to get in.
I: And you can?
S: It's better you just go with it instead of questioning me.

I sigh and lean my head back as I stare at the roof of the car.

I: I'm just... how long do you think it will take them
to find us again?
S: The building was built for hiding, it blocks any transmission of any kind. So without them being able to get to our calls or data at all, I'm pretty sure they won't find us anytime soon.

I know Simon is brutally honest, and those relieved words ease the blockage of terror lurking in my chest.

When we arrive, Simon gives the old cab driver his money without a single thank you or polite gesture. I felt bad when he got out of the car to get our bags from the trunk, so I stopped him.

I: It's okay, we got it. Thank you sir.

And with a small smile, he returns one in recognition and gets back in the driver's seat. The old man drove away a few seconds later and I was glad that for once we were in a car and no one had been killed before or after.