“She needs to be taken to Homeland as fast as possible. They are only about thirty miles behind us.”

“She’s out cold. It won’t matter and hell, we’ll probably be on the road before they reach us. Just pull over at the gas station.”

“Fine. I’m radioing it in though when we stop.”

“Boy Scout.” Ned chuckled. “You’re probably terrified Smiley will tear you a new ass**le if he thinks you might have had a few minutes to examine her. Did you see the way he damn near bit off my face?”

“They are protective of women.”

“He should want her strung up for drugging him. I wouldn’t give a damn what happened to a chick who laced my drink so I had to f**k her.”

“Shut up, Ned. We don’t know if she’s guilty or not.”

“I think she is. He sat at the corner of the bar. She was the only one to take that empty seat next to him and was close enough to dope his drink.”

Vanni wanted to protest but kept quiet. They thought she was still unconscious and she wasn’t sure how they’d react if she let them know she was awake. Did the NSO really think she’d do something so awful?

“I just hope both of them are going to be okay.”

“She’ll probably end up arrested and he’s going to have a hell of a headache from that sucker punch. Take the next exit.”

“I see it.” Shane sighed. “I hope you’re wrong. Smiley seemed to really like her.”

“I’d say so. I don’t even have the super nose they do and I want to roll down the windows. It smells like a brothel in here.”

“Keep the windows up. I don’t want her to get cold.”

Ned laughed. “No comment about the brothel remark, huh? Do you even know what sex smells like? Don’t tell me Boy Scout is still a virgin.”

“I’m not. Why are you being such a dick tonight?”

“I’m tired and just want to go to bed. Pull into that truck stop. They’ll have oil. I’ll run in while you make the call to the other SUV. Pop the hood for me.”

The SUV slowed and they made a few turns. Vanni closed her eyes when they drove under the bright lights in case one of them turned around to check on her. She didn’t know what else to do but she didn’t want to talk to either of them. The SUV stopped and the engine shut off.

“You go in,” Shane ordered. “I’ll stay here with her.”

“She’s dead to the world. Just pop the damn hood and I’ll buy the oil.”

“Fine. I guess that’s okay.”

The doors opened and closed. Vanni hesitated and the vehicle jerked a little. She lifted up to peer between the seats. The hood was up and she could see through the small space between it and the engine. One man stood there. She turned her head and watched the other one walk inside a gas station. They were parked away from the other cars that were getting gas. One glance around the area showed a few food places and a lot of cars.

She fumbled to get free of the seatbelts then frantically put on her skirt. Her bra was on the floor with her shirt. She didn’t take the time to put it on but instead shoved it into the pocket of her skirt after she pulled the white top over her head and yanked it down to her waist.

A search of the floor failed to locate her shoes. Her ring caught her attention though. She stared at it with dread before picking it up. She put it in her pocket and hunched down to stare through the gap between the open hood and the engine compartment. The man remained there. The other was still inside, in line, holding something against his chest.

A big semi pulled into the lot and parked about ten feet away. The loud engine stayed on while a man opened the passenger door, slid out of the cab and headed toward the gas station.

Vanni took a deep breath. She wasn’t in pain anymore. Most of the drug must have left her system. She had two options. Stay in the SUV and be taken to Homeland with everyone around her thinking she’d drugged a New Species, or try to escape.

No interior lights had come on when they’d opened the doors and there’d been no dinging sound. She remembered they hadn’t come on when Smiley and she had entered the SUV. She tested the door on the driver’s side and found it unlocked. The noise of the semi’s engine drowned out any sound when the door opened. Her heart pounded with fear of being caught but she slid out into the windy night and pushed the door just enough for it to catch but not close all the way.

The pavement was cold on her bare feet as she crouched and tiptoed to the back of the vehicle. Several cars were parked about thirty feet away near a restaurant. She hesitated, checking to make sure the guard was still in line behind a few customers who were ahead of him. He wasn’t looking her way.

Just do it! She kept low and ran. It hurt her feet but she was motivated to get away. It was a relief when she made it to the cars and ducked, hiding behind one. No one shouted at her. Keeping low, she moved closer to the restaurant. She needed to get out of there before they discovered her gone. She had no money but she could call her best friend collect.

Vanni reached the side of the building and straightened, crossing her arms over her br**sts, trying to hide that she wasn’t wearing a bra. She’d just go inside and ask to use their phone. She’d lie and say her car broke down. The fact that she had no shoes, money or even her purse might give that lie away. She considered saying she’d been mugged but then the police would get involved. That was the last thing she wanted. They’d contact the NSO and hand her over to them. It would defeat the purpose of escaping.