Chapter Three - Hiding My Identity

Sydney

I couldn’t let the tattooed killer stalk me everywhere. He would know I had run away from home. With nowhere to go, I was in my most vulnerable state. No one would see if he abducted me and killed me later. I drove on towards Downtown San Diego, and he followed me.

What was his problem? Didn’t he have any work to do? I considered stopping and giving him a piece of my mind. Did he think I was underage?

‘Don’t even think about it. He’s a criminal,’ prodded my conscience.

My gaze fell on a swanky auto repair shop still open at such an odd hour.

Joe’s Auto Body Shop.

It was huge and looked decent enough. It was my only chance to give my car a new look. In my haste, I forgot about my stalker and pulled up in front of the shop. The lights were still on and I sucked in a deep breath. I had to get this done before sunrise.

As I went up to the half-closed main shutters and peered inside, someone cleared his throat behind me. I jumped with fright and whirled around to check. It was a uniformed mechanic from the shop.

“How can I help you, miss?”

Relief flooded through me at the sight of the first decent guy of the night. “I want to remodel my Land Rover as soon as possible. Are you open now?”

The man gave me a suspicious look. “Sure, we are, but I hope the car isn’t stolen. We would like to see the original papers before taking up the work.”

I hesitated, not wanting to give away my identity. “No, it’s not stolen. But I don’t have the papers with me. I can offer you a good amount of money instead.” I gave him a pleading look.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss. We don’t work that way.”

A car screeched to a halt behind us, and I turned to check. It was the tattooed killer and his black Jeep Grand Cherokee! How had I forgotten him?

Strangely, the mechanic smiled at him. “What’s up, bro?”

“Just dropping by to meet Joe. Is he in?” 

“Yes.” They hugged, and I groaned, turning to trudge back to my car. Maybe I would look for another auto repair shop.

The tattooed killer blocked my path. “What’s going on, Princess? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you have gone home?” He gave me a suspicious look while I tried to evade his gaze.

“Can’t you leave me alone? I’m twenty-one, and an adult. You can drop the protective act. I don’t need you to stalk me everywhere.” I didn’t care if he was a criminal.

He stared at me while the mechanic approached us. “Do you know her, bro? She wants us to remodel this car.”

The tattooed killer gave me a curious look. “Why would you want that? Your car is in top condition.”

I searched my mind for a convincing reply. “I’m bored with the look. It’s my car. I can do anything I want with it. What’s your problem?”

“Do you have the car papers? Joe won’t touch your car otherwise.” His eyes bored into mine, and I looked away in haste. Yes, I had the papers, but that would give away my identity. Who would resist a reward from my father for giving me away? I wouldn’t leave footprints behind.

“I don’t have them with me. Never mind, I’ll get it done in another place.” I went past him, but he grabbed my hand instead.

“Hang on. What’s the rush? Are you running away from someone?” He watched me closely while I squirmed under his scrutiny.

“Yes. You.”

He chuckled, and so did the mechanic.

“Can you prove the car is yours?” asked the mechanic.

I considered his question. Of course, I could show him the car title, but that would give me away. “Yes, I can show you the damages sustained in a minor accident last month. There are scratches on the left side of my front bumper. The left windshield wiper needs servicing. Also, the left taillight back fender has two cracks.” I rambled on, but the tattooed killer intervened.

“Okay, stop.” He looked at the hesitant mechanic. “Call Joe. I’ll have a word with him.”

The mechanic disappeared, and he turned to stare at me again. “I’ll get your car remodeled, but convincing Joe won’t be easy. He’ll ask for the papers or check the car’s registration number to see who it belongs to.”

I searched for a reply. Obviously, I didn’t want him to check. “Look, this car is mine, but I’m in a fix right now. I need to get it remodeled as soon as possible. That’s all I can tell you.”

He narrowed his eyes as he regarded me. “Are you running away from the cops? I hope you haven’t committed a crime.”

“N-no. Not the cops. I’m running from my family. And I have done nothing wrong.” I faced his allegations with confidence, staring back at him.

He nodded and relaxed a bit. I expected him to question me further, but strangely, he didn’t. “I see. While Princess is my preferred name, what do the others call you?”

“Sy.. umm, Sierra.” I flashed him a fake smile, hoping he wouldn’t see through my lie.

He grinned as if he knew I was lying. “I’m Killian. Everyone calls me Kill.”

My eyes widened with surprise. Such as an apt name.  

Killian, the tattooed killer with killer looks!

“Oh! I prefer your full name.”

He shrugged, but I didn’t miss the amusement in his eyes. “Okay, Princess. Here comes Joe. Let’s hope for the best.”

A gigantic bald guy emerged from the shop and enveloped my tattooed saviour in a bear hug. “Ah, Killian! So nice to see you. But what are you doing here at this odd hour?”

He released his friend and came over to me. “Joe, this is my girlfriend, Sierra. She needs a favor. Can you please remodel her car? We’re heading to Cape Town in a few days. So, we’re in a hurry. Oh, and she isn’t carrying the car papers.”

I gaped at Killian. What? Who was the girlfriend? A shudder went down my spine at the thought of being whisked away to South Africa. Was he planning to take me to his criminal headquarters?

“Hello, Sierra! Nice to meet you.” 

I smiled awkwardly at him. “Hi! Nice to meet you, too.”

Joe turned towards Killian while I watched them warily. Would he agree?

“You know I can’t decline you, Kill. But you have to give me three days. Tell me what you want and leave the car here.”

They walked towards my car while I tried to understand what Joe meant. If I left my car here for three days, where would I live? With my family after me, no place would be safe to hide.

“Sure, thanks, bro,” said Killian, and I blinked out of my dazed state and followed them to my car.

“Wait! Three days is too much. I have my belongings in the car.”

Joe gave me a weird look while Killian rolled his eyes as if I had uttered something stupid. “We’ll load them in my car, Princess. Tell Joe what changes you want.”

His suggestion had me reeling as my mind went into overdrive. Was he planning to take me to his hideout and imprison me? “Umm, I’ll opt for white. The car body can be painted, and the left windshield wiper and taillight back fender fixed. That’s all.”

“Fine. Come back after three days. Your car will be ready.”

“Thanks.” I blinked with disbelief. What would I do now?

“Thanks, bro. Call me if you need something,” said Killian.

Joe nodded and walked away towards his shop. Killian winked at me. “Done. Happy?”

I nodded gingerly. “Thanks.”

He frowned to see me hesitate. “What’s wrong now?”

“I have my belongings in my car and I need them.” I avoided looking in his direction. What if he read through me?

“I’ll load them in my car.” He took the car keys from me and strode towards my car. I stood like a statue, thinking about his suggestion. I couldn’t live in his car! Then where would I go with my luggage?

He unloaded them and walked over to his car. “Come on, help me, Princess.”

I came out of my daze and rushed forward to help him. The mechanic emerged from the shop and helped us, too. Killian handed the keys over to him, and he drove my car inside the shop.

“Come on. Let’s get going. Tell me where I should drop you.” He led me to his car and helped me to the passenger seat.

I watched him jog over to the driver’s seat. Was I doing the right thing by walking into the killer’s trap? But it was too late to back out. With a mountain load of luggage stuffed in his car, I couldn’t escape now.

“Hey, relax.” He started the car and pulled out of the place. “Where to?”

I gave him a lost look. “You can drop me at any hotel nearby.”

He drove on with no reaction at all, as if he knew I had nowhere to go. The car sped towards Mission Bay, and I panicked. Why were we heading to Mission Bay? Was it his hideout?