“We don’t have any pickups or repos today, do we?” he asked, rolling down the window tospit.
“This is a favor I’m doing, kind of a surprise thing.” I gripped the steering wheel tight as I pulled out of thelot.
“We’re not stealing a vehicle, are we?” His eyes were wide as we drove down the road toward themotel.
“Fuck no,” I answered, a little offended that he would think that I would steal a car. “We’re going to pick up that chick’s car. It needs a fresh coat ofpaint.”
Red shifted in his seat to look at me better. “Does she know you’re picking up hercar?”
I rubbed the back of my freshly buzzed head. “Notexactly.”
Red threw his hands in the air. “Fuck, Tre. Ryder is going to have a field day with our asses if this chick causes ascene.”
“I’ll deal with Ryder if anything comes ofthis.”
Her car was right where I’d seen her park it. I knew we needed to make quick work ofthis.
Red just sat in his seat staring at me, his jaw hanging open abit.
I threw the truck into reverse and glared at him. “You going to fucking help me or just sit there with your thumb up your damnass?”
He grunted, “Fine.”
It only took a couple of minutes to get the car up onto the flatbed. I was surprised no one came out of the rooms to check to see why a tow truck was in the parking lot, but that was better for me. I was sweating bullets driving back to the shop. I knew what I was doing was wrong in a way. Yes, I’d taken a complete stranger’s car without asking, but it was for a good reason. I was being a goodSamaritan.
It didn’t take long for us to get the car back to the garage and hidden in the back of bay. Even though I didn’t care who knew I had the car, it was technically stolen, and Sloan could make my life a living hell if she called thecops.
Chapter 4
Sloan
Soakingin a warm bubble bath was just what the doctor ordered. It had been months since I’d felt that kind of relaxation. Usually every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ray’s crooked grin staring down at me while I was tied to his bed, and those flashes of consciousness haunted me. I couldn’t believe I had ever trusted someone soevil.
The sound of bubbles popping in my ears as I sank down under the water calmed me. I thought about all the distance I had covered the day before. I was glad I had made it so far, but it still didn’t feel like enough.Will it ever be enough?Even if he were tracking me, it would take him a while to get to me. It was odd, but I hadn’t felt as safe as I did in this stupid, dirty motel room since I’d started running away from myex.
“Iam so sorry,Ray. I really am. But, I know this is for the best.” I sat on his couch with my eyes diverted to the off-white carpeting in his living room. The smell of jasmine candles invaded my nostrils. I fucking hated that awful stench, but it was his favorite. He always burned them whenever I wasover.
He gripped my shoulders, shaking me a little. My eyes snapped to his. They were smoldering, with water welling in the corners. “But you said you loved me.” There was rage laced in his tone. Even though his voice was soft, I felt a devil’s touch in eachword.
“We’re just very different people. I’m taking the job in Chicago, and your life is here inPhoenix.”
His grip tightened on myarms.
“Ow—Ray, that hurts.” I tried to pull away, but that just made him turn his nails into the backs of myarms.
“You need to feel the pain I’m feeling,” hegrowled.
Before I even knew what was happening, his fist was connecting with the side of my head. I heard a popping sound and the side of my face felt like it was on fire. A scream bolted from my lungs as I shot to my feet and tried to race for the front door. I only got a few steps away before Ray’s hand was wrapping around my wrist and he was pulling me into his backbedroom.
I softly pleaded and cried as he ripped all my clothes off. I tried to fight, but he was just so much stronger than me. One by one, each article of clothing I had on my body was torn from me. He didn’t say a word; it felt like something had snapped in him and he was on autopilot. He continued to punch me until I could barely keep my eyes open. I was slipping in and out as he forced himself ontome.
I barely remembered the rest. All I could recall was waking up in a hospital bed with police officers asking if I wanted to press charges on myattacker.
“Ma’am, do you know who did this to you?” a middle-aged officer asked me. She had kind eyes and a knowing somberness toher.
I nodded as sobs erupted from my soul. “His name is Ray Clyde. He was myboyfriend.”
She put her hand on mine. “Do you know what prompted him to hurt you likethis?”