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“What the hell is wrong with you?” I barked. “You could have gotten yourself killed!”
“I…” Her entire face froze. Then a venomous look darkened her features. “Fuck you. You were driving like a maniac!”
“Excuse me?” I cocked my head and the defiance I could see in the glow of the dome light was unbelievable.
“Just let me go, you jerk!”
Her mouth twisted, but I kept my hold. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Now, you heard me. Spill it or I’ll leave you right here on the side of the road. Now, do you need my help or not?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Help you do what, princess? Who did this to you?” I scanned the area before returning my attention toward her. Even though her clothes were soaked, I could easily tell she was dressed for a party or a festive event, the stunning crimson dress highlighting every voluptuous curve. She was also young, an innocent flower who’d appeared out of the shadows as if an angel of mercy.
She couldn’t have come but so far, especially since her feet were bare and the road was rocky. Given my brother-in-law’s home was in a protected area of White Plains housing the most powerful, influential, and ruthless families in the entirety of New York, that likely meant either her family or someone she was visiting was equally as wealthy and dangerous. Even the Hamptons didn’t compare to the number of notorious people the neighborhood held. The girl was someone of importance.
Or she was being used.
I doubted this had anything to do with the Bianchis. I knew for certain their wealth didn’t allow for a lavish lifestyle at this point.
If I had to guess, I’d say she was the daughter of someone important, the necklace she wore worth a cool half million. That didn’t mean she came from a loving home. What went on behind closed doors was certainly the things horror novels were written about.
“I need to get away from my life.” Her pleading tone dragged at the beast inside of me. The girl was trying very hard to maintain her resolve, which I admired. The fact she didn’t want to share who’d done this to her meant she was in partial shock.
I returned my gaze, cognizant the storm was right over us. What the fuck was I supposed to do with this? My gut told me not to get involved, but the primal savage inside of me said something else altogether.
“I’m sorry. I’m just scared,” she added.
“Get in the car,” I commanded.
She offered a slight smile yet didn’t move. It was obvious she was paralyzed by fear. I reached inside the sports car, unlocking the passenger door then walking her around the front of the vehicle, easing her onto the seat. Hell, I wasn’t a gentle man, but she was teetering on the same kind of edge I was.
After she was safely settled inside, I headed to my trunk, popping it open. I always carried an emergency bag of supplies and ammunition, including several dry towels, although their anticipated use was for cleaning up crime scenes, not drying off a damsel in distress.
I knew I could be making a very bad decision, but at this point I didn’t give a shit.
As soon as I jumped onto the driver’s seat, I tossed the towel into her lap, shutting the door then taking a deep breath. There were no headlights from oncoming vehicles, but it was a matter of time before someone came looking for her. “I want answers. Who are you running from?”
“I…” She nuzzled her face into the towel, and I rapped my fingers on the leather console under the driver’s window.
The girl remained quiet, which was as unnerving as the situation. I leaned back against the seat, wiping water from my face with the other towel. “Spill it, princess. What the hell is going on?” When she continued to remain silent, I turned my head, the overhead streetlight providing a more than decent look at her face. A bruise was starting to form under her eye where she’d been hit. Rage tore through me.
She was shivering and I watched as she dragged her tongue across her lower lip, digging the tip into the area where it had been split.
Sighing, I turned up the heat, trying to keep my patience with her. A full two minutes passed.
“Talk, princess. I’m not a patient man. By all rights I should punish you right here and right now.”
“Punish me? Are you out of your mind? And I’m not a princess. Don’t call me that. Ever.” Even though she whispered the few words, her tone was defiant. “My guess is you’re just like him, bastard.”
Him. The single word had left a nasty taste in her mouth.
“Hmmm… The little fawn has claws. Then what are you? Did you escape from a mental institution?”
She snorted and I laughed softly. A single moan slipped past her lips and I wanted to crush the person who’d hurt her.
“O-kay. Did your boyfriend do that to you?”
When she tensed, I could tell I was on the right track.
