Numbers (12 page)

He chuckled and amusement sparked in his eyes.

She released his mouth. “It’s not you. It’s her. She’s not
going to be nice to you once she sees you as a threat. And she will. You’ll
ruin her plans for me, which is to marry me off to someone she approves of who
won’t ever ask me to move away from her.”

“I think I could make her change her mind and be happy for
us if I tell her how I feel about you, and explain what mates are. You’re my
everything, Dana. That’s never going to change.”

Her heart melted, because there was no denying the sincerity
in his eyes. “I wish that would make her accept us being together but it won’t.
It matters to me. I want us to strengthen our relationship before she has a
chance to scare you off.”

“I don’t frighten, Dana.”

“You’ve never met my mother. I want to run away from her
when she’s being mean.” She backed away. “We need to clean up and finish eating
before Paul arrives.” She bent and grabbed her panties off the floor. “I’ll be
right back. I’m going to use your bathroom.”

“Our bathroom.”

She wasn’t falling in love with him anymore. She had already
fallen. She fled down the hallway.

Dana gawked a bit at all the people outside the back gates
when Paul drove them through. Cameras flashed, blinding her. Many people stood
on the sidewalks as Paul slowly maneuvered the SUV into the street. A few
idiots darted out in front of them to snap pictures. Paul had to hit the brakes
and honk the horn to get them to move.

“Tuck your chin and keep your baseball cap low,” Paul
hissed.

She followed his directions, even lifting a hand to block
the side of her face. “This is nuts. It kind of reminds me of what celebrities
go through.”

“Welcome to life at Homeland.” Paul snorted. “This is what
you have to deal with when you live here and want to leave or come back.”

“It wasn’t like this at the front gates.”

“You came early in the morning, like I asked. This is why.
Most of these jerks are sleeping then.”

“Why does the NSO let so many people back here?”

“The street is public property and doesn’t belong to the
NSO. The cops come around once in a while to ask them to leave because they are
a nuisance, but they just return. Every time the NSO is in the news for
something, this circus parks their asses outside of any entry or exit to
Homeland.”

“I see why you and Becky don’t have date nights outside
Homeland anymore.”

“She mentioned that? Was she upset?”

“She loves you, bonehead. She didn’t complain about it. It
was more of a cautionary tale of what I’d have to deal with if Mourn and I
mate.”

He drove a few blocks and turned onto a freeway onramp.
“We’re going to go a few miles and then turn around and go to the motel.” He
kept darting glances at the rearview mirrors.

“Is anyone following?”

“I’m not sure yet. They can be pretty tricky. Some of them
will use multiple cars and communicate by cell phone so one will back off and
another one will take up the chase.”

“That’s crazy.”

“We deal with crazies all the time.”

She mulled that over. Paul took an exit a few miles down,
drove around a couple of residential areas, and then started back. Dana glanced
in the rearview mirrors too. She didn’t see any headlights behind them.

“We’re in the clear?”

“Looks like. I think I’ll just take side streets to be
sure.”

“You just don’t want to go to the motel so you’re taking
your sweet time.”

He chuckled. “Probably. You know Mom is going to fake tears
when you tell her you’re not ready to go home.”

“I know.”

“Are you going to cave?”

“No.”

“You’ve never been that great at standing up to her. That’s
why you’re the one who lives so close to her.”

“I’ve gotten better at it, and I’m motivated. You completely
ignored what I said when I mentioned Mourn and me becoming mates. Don’t think I
didn’t notice that.”

“Are you considering it?” Tension sounded in his voice.

“Yes. It’s all I think about. I wish you would give him a
chance. He’s amazing.”

“You love him, don’t you?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I do. I saw fear in his eyes when we
were saying goodbye, as if he was afraid I wouldn’t come back. I want to go
back, and I don’t think I want to stay at your place anymore. I’d like to live
with him.”

“You’ve only known him for a few days.”

“How long did you spend with Becky before you knew she was
the one?”

He didn’t answer.

She turned her head to stare at his grim expression. “Answer
me, and be honest.”

“I knew after our first date when I woke up with her in my
arms.”

“She slept with you on the first date? I’m shocked,” Dana
teased.

“We hit it off. What can I say? I woke up and my first
impulse
was not
to get the hell out of there like all the other
one-night stands I’d had. I wanted to stay and cook her breakfast. Hell, I
wanted to go home and grab a bag so I could sleep with her every night.”

“That must have been some out-of-this-world sex. I don’t want
details.”

He chuckled. “Actually, it wasn’t all that great, but we had
the best time. She made me laugh and I just fell hard. I wasn’t even ready to
settle down, but she changed everything for me.”

“I feel that way about Mourn. Only the sex is out of this
world.”

“I didn’t need to know that.”

“Just saying.” She glanced in the rearview mirrors again,
still not seeing headlights. “I think we’re good.”

“Me too. I just worry about you, Dana. You and Tommy were
real social butterflies. You can’t go to parties or the theater with Mourn.”

“That was all Tommy. I never enjoyed that crap.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. We fought about it often.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“There was a lot you didn’t know. I’ve never felt this way
before. Ever. Not even with Tommy. This morning it was tough to leave Mourn’s
house. I thought about calling you and asking you to just bring my stuff to me.
I wanted to stay.”

“Why didn’t you?”

She decided to be honest. “I knew you’d argue with me again,
and try to talk me out of it. He’s not used to family drama. I guess I’m afraid
he’s going to decide I’m not worth the trouble.”

“He wouldn’t care about that shit if he loves you. Hell,
Becky puts up with Mom because she loves me.”

“Mom is across the country and you only lived near her for a
few months. You work at Homeland so he can’t avoid it if you decide to be an
asshole. You bothered him while he was at work.”

“I told you I did that because I’m worried about you.”

“Get over it, and start focusing on what’s going to make me
happy instead. Like it or not, that’s Mourn.”

“I’ll try to cut him some slack, okay?”

“You will?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” She saw the motel sign ahead. “Is that it?”

“Yes. Stick close to me. I wasn’t joking about that place
being a dive. Keep the cap and glasses on. Don’t talk to anyone. I have a
feeling a lot of the protestors stay here. It’s cheap and close to Homeland. I
registered Mom under a false name, and made her promise to avoid talking to
strangers.”

“Won’t they recognize the SUV as belonging to Homeland?”

“No. This isn’t a task force vehicle. This one is the
smaller type they rarely use, and it doesn’t have any NSO markings. It will
take them time to run the plates, if someone does, and it’s registered under a
false company name. We’ll be good for at least an hour. If shit hits the fan,
get behind me. I’m armed.”

Her mouth dropped open.

He parked far away from the other cars, turned off the
engine and unfastened his belt. He sighed. “It’s procedure. I have military
training and target practice every few weeks. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

“No. The NSO lists me as a task force member, and I have a
badge in my wallet to flash if I need to shoot someone. It is better than a
permit to carry a concealed weapon. My ass is covered.”

“Have you ever had to shoot someone?”

“I served a few tours. Of course I have. Let’s go.” He
climbed out of the driver’s side.

Dana got out and closed the door. Paul activated the alarm
and came to her side, hooking his arm with her. She kept her head low. A few
guests hung out in the parking lot in several groups. Paul drew her closer and
took the stairs up to the second level. It was clear there. He stopped in front
of a door and lifted his hand.

“You ready for this?”

“Yes.”

He knocked and there was movement at the peephole in the
door. The light disappeared.

“Go away or I’ll call 9-1-1!”

Paul sighed. “It’s us, Mom.”

Within seconds the door opened. Their mother stared at both
of them. Paul pushed her gently out of the way, drew Dana inside, and locked
the door behind them. He released her arm and removed his glasses, grinning.

“Hi, Mom.” He hugged her.

“I thought you were both drug dealers. Why are you dressed
like that?” She glared at them.

Dana removed the cap, allowing her tucked-up hair to fall
free, and took off the sunglasses. “We wanted to fit in with your neighbors,”
she joked. Her gaze traveled around the room. “Wow. Hello, low-budget porn
set.”

“It’s horrible.” Her mother pointed at the mirror on the
ceiling. “I’m terrified that’s going to fall on me when I sleep.”

“I warned you this place was bad. You should have stayed in
a nice hotel a few more miles away. I said that too. Do you want us to move
you?” Paul waited for an answer.

Their mother ignored him, fixating on Dana. “This is what I
do for you. Do you see this shithole? I’ll probably be mugged, raped and
murdered by morning. My headstone will read that it’s all your fault.”

“Mom,” Paul chastised. “That isn’t funny.”

Their mother threw up her hand to silence him. “You can’t
run away from your problems, Dana. This is just another way you’re hiding from
living. Do you think your poor brother and his wife want you hanging around
their place? They don’t.”

“Mom,” Paul raised his voice. “That’s not—”

“Stay out of this!” Their mother stepped closer to Dana. “I
brought Dirk Hass with me. He’s going to drop by in about fifteen minutes and
talk to you. I also bought us tickets to leave on the first flight home in the
morning.”

Dana’s temper finally exploded. “You brought your
gynecologist with you? To talk to me? What is wrong with you?”

“Dirk likes you. You really need to give him a chance, Dana.
He makes good money, has his own practice, and took time away from work to fly
out here because I told him you’re having difficulties. What other man would do
that? It shows how caring and concerned he is for you.”

“You manipulated him, in other words.” Dana was tempted to
leave.

“Don’t talk to me like that,” their mother hissed. “How dare
you.”

Dana took a step back. “What? It’s the truth. You probably
told Dr. Hass I’m interested in him when you know damn well I’m not. He’s seen
you naked from the waist down. Don’t you think that’s a little fucked up? I do.
Talk about a dysfunctional family. And stop setting me up with men. I’ve told
you that. I’m done.”

“Don’t cuss. It’s not the way I raised you.”

Dana opened her mouth but Paul moved fast, stepping between
them. “Mom, you need to calm down.”

“Your sister is so rude.”

“Pot, meet kettle.” Dana stepped to the side so she could
glare at her mom. “I came to see Paul. I told you I needed some space. You
drive me crazy. Thank you for taking care of me after Tommy’s death, but I’m
trying to get on with my life now. Why can’t you just let me?”

“You said you’d be gone three days. I had to come out here
to get you.”

“I’m not some wayward runaway teen.” Dana clenched her
teeth.

“You’re acting like one.”

“Shit,” Paul muttered. “Do you fight like this all the
time?”

“No,” their mother answered.

“Yes,” Dana said at the same time.

Paul removed his cap and scratched his head. “This is going
to be a long evening.”

“No. It’s not.” Dana put her hands on her hips. “I’m not
coming home yet, Mom. I won’t until I’m ready. You bringing your gynecologist
with you…” She shook her head. “I don’t even know what to say except I feel bad
that you talked him into it. I won’t even mention that he’s twenty years older
than I am. You date him if he’s such a great catch. Go home.”

Someone knocked on the door and Dana gritted her teeth as
her mother sailed toward it and opened it to let Dirk Hass inside. He held
flowers and smiled when he spotted Dana.

“Hello.” He offered them to her.

Dana felt guilty. She knew her mother must have lied to him
to get him to take a flight across the country. She accepted the flowers.
“Thank you.”

Paul saved her by introducing himself and taking the
attention off her. Dana shoved the flowers at her mother and backed away.

Her mother beamed, obviously pleased with the mess she’d
created. Dana wanted to strangle her.

Dirk turned to Dana. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” It wasn’t his fault that he’d been pulled into
this mess, but someone needed to be honest with him. “I am so sorry about this
but the truth is, I’m not interested in dating you.”

“Dana!”

She ignored her mother. “I’m seeing someone. My mother
didn’t know. I haven’t told her yet. I’ll pay you back for the money you spent
coming all this way.”

Dirk appeared taken aback.

“She’s lying.” Her mother rushed forward and gripped his
arm. “I told you she’s having issues. She is inventing a make-believe
boyfriend.”

Dana was about to scream. “I am not. I just didn’t want to
tell you because he lives in this area, and I knew you’d blow your stack when I
told you that I’m relocating here. It’s serious.”

“You’re lying.” Her mother’s face turned an angry shade of
red.

“She’s actually not.” Paul shot Dana a hooded look as he
ripped off his sunglasses. “He works security. She met him when she arrived,
and they’ve been spending almost every moment together when he’s not at work.”

“You’re not going to date a security guard.” Their mother
shook her head. “I won’t allow it. Dirk is a doctor.”

Dana threw up her hands. “I’m done. I’m not going to fight
with you anymore. I’m moving here, and that’s something you’re just going to
have to deal with.” She looked at Dirk Hass. “You should ask my mom out. She’s
about your age, and she thinks you’d make someone a wonderful husband.” She
pushed her sunglasses back on and added the cap. “Paul, I’ll wait for you
outside. I’m stick-a-fork-in-me done.”

Dana stormed to the door and yanked it open.

“Dana,” Paul called. “Don’t go out there alone.”

She turned. “I’d rather face off against drug dealers and
hookers than stay in here.” She stormed out, slamming the door.

She almost bumped into a large body and backed up, her chin
lifting. The guy wore a black hoodie with matching black sweatpants. He was a
really large man and the dim lighting hid his face. “Sorry.” She tried to step
around him