You Can't Run by Hope Davis (best way to read books .txt) 📗

there was a kitchen with a stove and a fridge, and not much else. There was a small table which only had one chair and across the way there was an ugly and torn plaid loveseat facing the most archaic TV set Naya had ever seen. It had to be from the 50’s. Other than that, the only other thing was a door behind the couch.

Atlas was way ahead of her and was already across the room turning the knob, he pushed open the door and stood back to reveal a bed which was made and it looked like it hadn’t been touched since. The only other door was across the room and she presumed it was a bathroom. Atlas stepped across the room and opened it, it was empty.

“He’s not here.”

“I wonder where he could’ve gone.” Naya let the hand that was holding her weapon relax by her side. They both cautiously made their way back to the front of the house and looked around.

“I don’t see a barn or anything.”

“Me neither. I did see a small shed outback with some farming equipment in it, but I cleared it and there wasn’t anyone hiding.”

“I don’t like this.”

“Me neither.” Atlas agreed. “And his car is here.” They stared at the car as if it would move any second. Naya and Atlas glanced in the cab and the bed, both were completely devoid of anything of use.

“So, where would our farmer friend go without a car when the closest sign of civilization is over ten miles away?” Naya surveyed the fields of wheat which approached the homestead from every side.

“Beats me.” Atlas took one last glance around the driveway area then turned towards the car.

Without another word they got back in and headed towards the precinct.

CHAPTER 14

NAYA

The next afternoon Naya stood in front of her mirror for what felt like forever. She felt a bit like she was back in high school. Honestly, that was probably the last time she cared this much about a date.

When she moved here she hadn’t brought any cute clothes that would work for a date with her. She had planned to work most of the time, and then hang out at home with Vance in her loungewear, like any average woman. So, when she came home from work the reality of the situation set in. She had realized she had no idea if she had anything to wear on a date.

She had tried asking Kevin where they were going, but he wouldn’t relent. He had said it was a surprise, and he was intent on keeping it that way. After about an hour of staring at her measly wardrobe in disdain, Naya decided on her favorite pair of jeans pairing it with the most elegant long-sleeved blouse she had, it was a deep emerald. She still looked a little more professional than cute, but this was as good as it was going to get. Kevin had said that her jeans looked great on her at least.

As she was grabbing her jacket and purse she heard a commotion from downstairs, she assumed that meant the guys had arrived. She stopped in front of her mirror for a split-second and debated putting on some makeup for the second time since she had moved to Denver, but she knew that if the others were there then Kevin was probably already waiting. Besides, he’d already seen her on numerous occasions without makeup.

Kevin was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when she went down. She couldn’t tell if he had done it on purpose or not, but he seemed slightly more dressed up than normal. He was wearing dark jeans, a navy collared shirt, and a gray pullover sweater. Naya felt herself blush, he looked good, hot even, her mind supplemented.

“Are you ready?” He held out his hand and bowed ever so slightly, as if this was a scene from some old movie, it made her want to giggle.

“I am, I should just say goodbye to Vance.”

“You can, but we won’t be gone that long. And Sebastian and Trevor are with him.”

Naya’s mouth quirked to the side. Kevin was right, Vance wasn’t a child, he would survive for a few hours while she went out on a date.

“You’re right, shall we go?”

He smiled and continued to be the perfect gentleman, opening the door for her, even though it was her house.

“Do I get to know where we are going now?” She asked as they got into the car.

“Nope. And don’t even try to guess. You’re lucky I didn’t go as far as to try blindfolding you.”

“Yeah, I’m a cop, we don’t like that type of stuff.” Naya teased, she eyeballed Kevin as he navigated the side streets, his large hands moving smoothly over the leather wheel.

“I know, I’m not an idiot.”

It was quiet in the car so Naya decided to start a conversation the only way she could think to.

“So, is this the part where I ask what your favorite movie is or something?

“Sounds about right. But I suppose I haven’t been on a proper date in a while.”

She raised her eyebrows. “A fine specimen like yourself doesn’t have a date every weekend?”

“That the type of guy you pinned me as?” He asked in surprise.

She shrugged. “I’m not going to lie, a bit, yeah. You came across so confident when you were talking to me that it seemed you had a bit of experience talking to women, like, flirting with them.”

His eyes flickered in her direction. “Well, I guess your detective skills are a bit off. I don’t think I’ve been out with a girl in six months. And before that I was single for almost two years.”

Naya decided to be cheeky. “And you’re how old?”

“Thirty-two, same as Vance.”

“Hmm…” She mocked,