Page 48 of His to Keep
“Try to avoid red lights and roll through any stop signs you see, assuming there’s no traffic.”
“I don’t know if— Ellis, he followed me!”
“Okay, keep going. Nice and easy. It’s going to spit you out into a traffic circle. It’s not usually busy this time of night, so just keep heading my way.”
“What if I have to stop?”
“Keep your doors locked and your windows up. If anyone approaches your car, I want you to floor it and get the fuck out of there.”
“Why is this happening to me?”
Why indeed.Don’t get me wrong, I definitely see the appeal. Scarlet’s fucking stunning. What I don’t get is why this jerkoff is tormenting her. If you’re into someone, fucking introduce yourself, get to know them, and ask them out. If they say no, fucking respect their choice and move on.
“They’re still behind me.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “Oh god.”
“You’re almost here, and I promise, if they follow you here, they’ll fucking answer to me. I’m gonna protect you, Princess.”
“Promise?” she asks, in a voice so soft and small it cracks my chest wide open.
“Cross my heart.” The words hang between us with an unmistakable weight. Even more shocking, is just how much I mean them.
Even if most days, she drives me up the wall, Iwantto protect her.
The line falls quiet, aside from the sound of her harsh breathing, as she drives.
“I’m almost there,” she finally says, her voice a hoarse whisper. “Can you... I don’t know, just... talk to me? Distract me?”
“Sure can, Princess.” I rack my brain for something to say, finally settling on a topic well within my comfort zone. “You ever watchedGossip Girl?”
“Maybe like season one.”
“Scarlet!” I gasp, scandalized. “I’m floored right now. You give mega Blaire vibes, and yes, I’m sort of calling you a bitch, but in agood way, because she’s my favorite.”
“There’s a good way to call someone a bitch?”
“Yes, and you know it. ForgetEnemies & Escrow—we’re going to the Upper Eastside.”
She laughs softly and then says, “I’m turning on your street now.”
“Are they still behind you?” I spring to my feet and head for my safe.
“Yes.” Her voice shakes.
“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the driveway. Turn in and head straight down to the house. Keep your doors locked and wait for me.”
“What if they follow?”
“Then they’ll fucking deal with me.” I punch in the code and then pop open the door. I grab my gun, check the magazine and chamber, and head for the front door.
I park my truck at the end of my driveway, with my headlights facing the direction Scarlet will come from, and drum my thumbs against the steering wheel as I wait.
Her headlights come into view, and my entire body tenses. “I see you, Princess. Remember what I said to do?”
“Straight for the house, stay in the car.”
“Good girl.” My voice is a lethal rumble as she turns past me.
Sure enough, the car behind her flashes their brights and accelerates so quickly they nearly clip my truck as they fly past me.
