looking in the rearview mirror.
And the drive remained silent for another two hours until the sign for the small town came into view. While it was still early, it was possible that a few businesses were open. At least luck was with us if only to a point. A small dealership appeared on the main road, a fast food restaurant beside it.
When I pulled in, she gave me another hard look.
“You’re really getting rid of your car?”
“A necessity. I’m going to make the transaction. Then we’ll grab some food. Get whatever you want. We’ll have several hours ahead of us.”
“What about clothes? I don’t even know where we’re going. You won’t tell me anything.” The tremor in her voice was palpable.
“We’re going to a safe location, a cabin. There is a local store where we can purchase everything that we need prior to getting there.”
“You think of everything. Don’t you?” This time her question was laced with more defiance. A criticism.
As a man approached, I bristled, immediately reaching for the gun.
“That’s so sad, Nikolai, or whatever your real name is. That’s some local-yokel salesman who might try to help you, but only if you don’t shove a gun in his mouth then blast his head off. How in the hell can you live that way?” She yanked off the seatbelt, folding her arms and scooting as far away from me as possible.
“If you haven’t learned already, Chloe, I’m a trained soldier. While you don’t seem to understand the importance of that fact, you will learn to respect me one way or the other.”
“What if I don’t?”
I wasn’t certain she would like the answer.
While the SUV wasn’t something I’d normally purchase, the trade was the only one possible on the dingy lot. While the salesman had likely shafted me on the price, I didn’t have the luxury of bickering with him. At least the next two hours had occurred without incident. By keeping off the main roads, we’d been able to make good time.
Derby Line, Vermont was literally steps away from the Canadian border, the area only separated by a series of flowerpots. I almost laughed at the idea. Seeing the sign for Newport, the locality suggested by Travis, I took a deep breath.
“Vermont,” Chloe said with no inflection. “At least I know where we are.”
“As I said, a safehouse.”
“For how long?”
“That I’m not certain.”
The general store was easy to locate, the facility offering gas, clothing, food, and other supplies. When I pulled into the parking lot, she shifted closer to the windshield. “How quaint,” she huffed.
“You’re going to pick out anything you need including a coat and boots, some jeans and other items. It doesn’t matter the cost.”
“Does that mean you’re rich?”
“That means we have enough money to do what we need. We’ll also purchase some groceries. I don’t think I need to tell you that you’re on a short leash.”
“Because I’m your pet.”
I killed the engine, half smiling at her continued rebellion. “Because it’s necessary. We won’t be returning here unless absolutely necessary. Do you understand?”
“Oh, I understand all right.” When she climbed out of the vehicle, I studied her expression before joining her.
While it was likely the locals were used to seeing strangers given the close proximity to Canada, I still felt the curious eyes of everyone in the place. Given my exposed tattoos, it was likely I was one scary asshole. Good. That would keep them out of our hair. I moved through the facility, uncertain of what to purchase. There’d been no time to grill Travis on what I could expect.
I kept my eye on her as she moved through the women’s clothing, tossing one piece of attire after another into a small cart. She constantly darted her eyes in my direction, the same smirk I’d seen remaining on her face.
At least the general store was all Travis had cracked it up to be, providing lanterns and batteries, even a shortwave radio. I added another box of ammo to the cart as well as medicinal alcohol and other assorted items. I certainly knew my way around developing a small bomb if necessary.
Chloe managed to do what I’d requested without fighting my command. However, I could feel the tension and knew that she was plotting some method of escape. My beautiful little pet was more of a handful than I’d imagined.
Travis was right. No one bothered us or asked any questions, simply ringing up the items as if the majority of travelers purchased eight hundred dollars’ worth