Chapter Nine - Reckless

I turn out to be wrong. Our game of I spy lasts for about ten minutes before we get bored. We stopped for food after an hour and a half of driving before getting back on the road again. I'm struggling to keep my eyes open because I ate too much and now I feel incredibly lazy.

"Do you want to move to the back to sleep?" Roman asks and I shake my head slowly.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"What – why?" He frowns at me in confusion before following my gaze to the rear-view mirror. "Fuck me!"

There's a large van and three cars following us. The fact that they're all blacked out and roughed up is a huge giveaway. I open the compartment in front of me and grab the gun, making sure it's loaded and the safety is off.

"Maybe after we make it out of this alive."

He rolls his eyes before accelerating. "Careful. You don't have anyone to cover for you like last time."

I hum in understanding before rolling down my window and shooting at the vehicles. Every time they shoot back I duck inside which becomes quite annoying. I manage to burst the tires of one which then swerves into the car next to it. A satisfied smile graces my lips when they crash and topple over.

But I notice the van gaining on us which makes me frown. "Can't you go any faster?!"

"No, this is the max!" He grunts as we weave through traffic.

"He's going to hit into us!"

He sighs in frustration before swerving into a parking lot. My eyes widen as I hold onto the dashboard just as the van catches the back of the car. A shriek escapes my lips as we almost topple over before Roman balances the car and shoots ahead. But this time the third car hits us from the side in the back as the van rams itself against the boot. Roman manages to get out of the situation before speeding ahead.

"We need to get out and run!" He yells as he takes off his seat belt.

I nod and un-clip mine before grabbing the door handle in one hand, my handbag and gun in the other. "Run left!"

I see him nod before we both hop out of the moving car and sprint. I thank God that the parking lot is so full before spotting a young-looking man forget to lock his car as he makes his way into the store. Yelling at Roman I gesture for him to follow me before racing to the vehicle.

I unzip my bag and laugh like a maniac when I realize I have all the things I need for what I'm about to do next. I jump into the driver's seat before quickly hot wiring it. A noise of breathless exclamation escapes me just as Roman gets into the passenger's seat. I don't even wait for him to fully close his door before revving the engine and speeding out of the parking lot.

"You know how to hot wire a car?!" He yells with wide eyes.

"Didn't I tell you that my brothers and I illegally raced when we were younger?" I shout back as I notice the car and van turning after us from the parking lot's exit.

"No!"

"Oh...well, we did!" I swerve dangerously onto another road.

"Have you forgotten that I'm also a part of the FBI?!"

I glance at him before chuckling sheepishly in realization. "If I get us out of this situation will you forget I ever told you that?!"

He stares at me with narrowed eyes before grumbling under his breath. "I've broken so many laws since I met you."

"You ungrateful little shit! I'm helping you! Cazzo!" I shriek as I hit into some bins before swerving left. [Fuck!]

"I didn't ask for it though!" He snaps with crossed arms. "And god dammit who the fuck taught you how to drive?!"

"Do you want to get out of this alive?!" I seethe as I glare at him murderously.

"Step on it." He mumbles with a huff.

Because of my amazing driving skills, we lose them within fifteen minutes. They were stubborn for a while but with how many times I changed direction I got them off our back. I grin proudly while seeing Roman shake his head from the corner of my eye. He's still gripping onto the door handle and dashboard for dear life and it makes me snicker.

"Where the hell are we?" I suddenly frown in confusion as I realize I don't know where to go.

"On the outskirts." He mutters with a drawn-out sigh. "Pull over, we're going to switch."

"Hey, come on!" I pout as I give him the puppy dog look.

"Pull over or I'll fine you after this is all done." He deadpans which makes me speed up. "Elena! I swear to fucking God – I won't stop every time you want food if you keep this up!"

I slam the brakes as I park at the side of the road. "Buzzkill!"

He rolls his eyes before getting out of the car. I cross over to the passenger seat and strap my seat belt back on as he gets in the driver's seat again. He starts the car up but scowls when it refuses to and chokes instead. I frown in confusion when he keeps trying and it still doesn't start up.

He squints as he stares behind the steering wheel before glaring at me. "You emptied the gas tank with all your fucking speeding!"

"Relax! I'll pay for it!"

"Great, go get gas then." He drawls sarcastically as I look around to realize that we're in the middle of nowhere and the town we left is more than twenty minutes away.

Groaning I watch as he steps out of the car and slams the door shut. Grabbing my bag, I follow him as we walk down the deserted road. There's a house up ahead and I assume that's where he's going since there's nothing else. We make our way up the steps and he rings the doorbell before an elderly man comes out.

"Hi, sorry to bother you but do you have any gas? We ran out." I point to the car in the far distance.

He squints at it before nodding and telling us to wait. I watch as he walks around the house and retrieves the fuel before handing it to Roman. He takes the money I hand to him after much convincing and I smile brightly before we leave with a "thank you!" I get in the car while Roman fills the tank before we're back on the road again.

Not even ten minutes later his phone rings and he accepts the call. Mac's familiar voice filters through the speakers and I sigh in relief. "Hey, sorry about going MIA. Those idiots wrecked our car and we had to wait in the middle of nowhere until the agency got us a new one."

"It's alright, we've had a similar issue." Roman drawls as he glances at me.

I stick my tongue out in a childish manner which makes him chuckle. "Hi Mac!"

"Hey Blondie! Roman bore you to death yet?"

"I wish I was with you guys instead, he's not the greatest travel buddy!" I tease and catch Roman's lips quirking in amusement.

We talk some more about what happened. Apparently this D.S. has a lot of money to have hired so many men. Along with sending some our way to get us off his trail his men relentlessly followed the others and they had to constantly keep alert unlike us. Roman explains his theory to Mac about wanting to get rid of them before coming after us and Mac hums in agreement.

"Where are you guys now?" I ask as I watch the sun set.

"Four murders happened in Mississippi just as we crossed into it. He's already gone and there's no trace of him. How far away are you guys?" Mac asks and I can tell that he's tired just by his voice.

"A few hours behind. Just stay put and rest, we'll be there by tomorrow." Roman states and we talk some more before he hangs up to go to bed.

I cross my arms and stare out the window as the evening sun eventually transitions into a night sky. Within the next two hours the stars come out to play with a few clouds here and there. I sigh peacefully when I spot the moon drifting behind us and making me feel like we're racing against it. Smiling I turn back and glance at Roman from the corner of my eye. Suddenly a question pops into my mind.

"Did you ever run a background check on me?"

"First day I met you." He nods while running a hand through his hair. "I basically need to with every person that I meet. Why else would I reveal some of my personal information to you?"

"What if I was some agent trying to infiltrate you guys or something?" I turn to him slightly in curiosity.

"Your details were transparent and confirmed easily. Usually when agents are involved they have a great background set up to cover themselves but if you dig real deep things don't add up. There was nothing like that with you." He explains before shooting me a quick glance. "Besides even if you were an agent I knew your family tree was legit and it would've been easy to use them against you if you tried something. You visit them or they come over often...it's clear that there's a strong relationship."

"Wow..." I mutter as I sit back impressed.

"I know it's weird and invasive –"

"I understand." I wave him off with a smile. "Even I wouldn't trust a crazy woman obsessed with a murder case. But wait...what if I went and told someone about you and the operation?"

"I made you sign an NDA remember?"

"Smart." I hum before picking up my phone and searching for the nearest motel. "You're getting tired."

"I can make it." He replies before a yawn escapes him.

I chuckle as he smiles sheepishly before giving him directions. We pull up outside a motel and make our way inside after ensuring the car is parked. Roman arranges for a new car to be sent to where the others are in Mississippi before we check in. We get two rooms this time and although I'm a little bummed I rush up to my room with eagerness. All I want to do is take a shower and sleep.

"Night Rome." I shiver when his hand brushes against mine as he passes by.

"Goodnight Elena." He smiles tiredly as he pushes in the key to his door a few rooms down.

I lock my door as soon as I'm inside before stripping. Heading into the bathroom I turn on the shower before stepping underneath the warm spray of water. I shampoo my hair before cleaning my body but this time I'm too tired to stay standing for longer like I usually do. Hopping out I dry myself off and scrunch my nose up at the smell of the body lotion provided by the motel. Deciding against moisturizing for one night I finish drying my hair before my eyes widen in realization. I don't have any clothes to change into for the night. Yeah this on the run thing isn't all that great, I think to myself.

"Well...shit." I mutter to myself as I wrap a towel around my body.

Just as I come out of the bathroom a knock echoes throughout the room. I stiffen before hearing Roman's voice and relaxing. I open the door to find him standing there with his shirt in hand. A bright smile graces my lips before I blush when his emerald eyes drop to my towel clad body. His eyes darken with desire as they roam from my hair to my bare skin, to the swell of my breasts before roaming the length of my legs.

"Thank you." I clear my throat before taking the shirt from his hand.

He nods before leaving and I close the door with a soft groan. Biting my lip from how his heated gaze made me feel I quickly change into his shirt and my underwear. I get ready for bed before slipping under the covers and turning off the lamp.

But sleep doesn't come to me that easily.

It's warm...too warm. Although it's nowhere near summer I still feel like I'm on fire with the blanket on. Throwing it off me I lay there lost in my thoughts, not thinking about any one thing. A few hours pass by and I grow frustrated when the digital clock changes to three a.m.

Sighing in exasperation I rub my eyes before throwing caution to the wind. Opening my door, I peek into the hallway before rushing to Roman's room when the coast is clear. I would die of mortification if someone saw me in a thin shirt and panties alone. Thankfully his door is unlocked and I step inside to find him sleeping. Immediately he wakes up and I assume it's to do with the fact that he's always on high alert. His eyelids flutter before he frowns and looks at me.

"Can't sleep." I shrug halfheartedly as I bite my lip.

"C'mere." He replies huskily as he rubs his eye.

I lock the door this time for safety before slipping under the covers beside him. He turns to me instantly and my eyes widen in surprise when he wraps an arm around my waist. I'm pulled closer until my body is pressed against his and I look up to see that he doesn't even realize what he's doing because he's almost fallen asleep again. Smiling softly, I cuddle up to him before closing my eyes. His room is the perfect temperature and I immediately start to feel sleepy as his addictive scent comforts me.

"Did you ever get caught?"

"Racing?" I look up to see his eyes still closed as he nods. "No. I'm just that good."

His chest vibrates as he laughs and I smirk. "I bet I would've caught you."

"I certainly wouldn't mind you handcuffing me, agent Jackson." I murmur seductively but my voice has a teasing lilt to it.

That gets his eyes to open and emerald green meets chocolate brown orbs. He stares at me with an undecipherable emotion and I bite my lip. His gaze snaps to it before I feel his fingertips trail up my bare arm lazily. I shudder as he pulls my lip from between my teeth and rub his thumb against it.

He smiles and nuzzles his nose against mine tenderly. His eyes close once more as he sighs and his minty breath fans across my skin. I'm mentally squealing as butterflies flutter crazily in my tummy. Moments like these where he's sweet and gentle are what I live for. I can handle him being all serious and grumpy but when he's tender and caring that's what makes me turn to mush.

"You're such a flirt."

"Only with you Rome." I smile before closing my eyes too.

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