As my bruised finger hit the metal, an idea came to me. I felt for the uneven carpet in the corner and found it. I pulled at it slowly, struggling to get enough leverage with my arms wedged beside me. Being a big girl in a compact trunk didn't leave a lot of space to move my long limbs.
My broken nail throbbed but I pushed ahead, shoving everything except the careful yanking out of my mind. The noise of the road faded, the thrum of the engine disappeared. All I heard was my breathing and the soft rasp of carpet coming free.
It took a few terrifying minutes, but the fabric slowly came up without ripping. I folded it over for better leverage and kept going. Finally it was free. I shifted my body over against the back of the trunk and squirmed to hold the folded carpet underneath me.
In the corner on the driver's side, barely visible, there was a cable running from the trunk back into the car. It had to be the right thing. My only chance. I gripped it tightly and tugged. Again and again. Harder and harder. For the longest time, I only succeeded in making my fingers burn and my wrist ache.
But eventually, after a million years, the cable shifted barely enough to get my fingers underneath it. That half an inch felt like a mile. I curled my hand into a fist and pulled again. Now, with better leverage and a tighter grip, I could feel it loosening. Feel my chance of escape growing.
My heart was beating so fast. My blood rushing, as if it too wanted to be free.
I gritted my teeth and pulled again. The car slowed and pulled to a stop. This was my moment. With every bit of strength and determination I had left, I yanked the cable towards the front of the car. I heard a quiet snapping sound and saw the most wonderful thing.
A line of light grew brighter and thicker as the trunk popped open. It was only a few inches, but to me it was the entire world.
Knowing I'd have scant seconds, I burst up, shoving the lid out of my way. It didn't matter that I was barefoot and only wearing a bathrobe. I didn't care who might be coming after me. All I knew was they weren't going to take me again easily. If I died running, so be it. I would never be trapped again. Never be helpless again.
I clambered out of the trunk, blinked at the bright sun shining over me and ran. I barely registered the street below me and the sidewalk next to me. A car honked but I ignored it, fleeing as fast as I could.
Darting around a truck, I finally looked up to see where I was. As I'd thought, the end of the parkway that ran northwest out of the city. The river was across three lanes of traffic and down an embankment. I went the other way; keeping stopped cars between me and the one I'd left, hoping they couldn't see me.
Within seconds, I heard raised voices and knew they – he, whoever – were looking for me. Thank goodness for insane traffic. I weaved between the cars, wanting more space before I hit the sidewalk. There was a café not far away and I could see people standing outside.
A crowd was exactly what I needed. And a way out of the street unseen.
Going on pure instinct, I slipped between an SUV and a cherry red sports car and made my move. My feet slammed against the ground and my robe nearly came undone as I ran faster than I ever had before. As the front of the café and its shocked-looking patrons came within reach, I dared a glance over my shoulder.
Two men in black jackets were following my path. One held his hand in his pocket, the other spoke into a cell phone.
I said a silent prayer that they wouldn't hurt anyone else and plunged ahead. I shoved between the line of people outside and slipped past the door of the café.
Someone laughed and said, "No shirt, no shoes, no service."
I ignored him and kept moving until I was next to the counter. A middle-aged woman stood there, gawking at me. "Honey, what the hell?"
"I need to use your phone. It's an emergency."
"Clearly," she replied, completely calm. For some reason, that made me feel better.
"Phone?"
"I've got my cell or there's a landline in the office in the back."
I looked outside. The men chasing me weren't in sight for the moment. "In the back, please."
She nodded and wiped her hands on a towel. "Follow me."
I adjusted my robe to cover me a little better and walked behind her, sweeping my gaze around the room. Most people seemed vaguely amused. Life in the city. Only actual violence would begin to faze them, and I was hoping to avoid that if possible.
The woman ushered me into a tiny cramped office filled with file boxes and supplies. It reminded me of my old job at Courier Express. The job that had gotten me into this trouble in the first place.
"I'll wait with you, honey."
"Thanks," I said, picking up the phone. "Can you lock that door?"
"Sure." She did as I dialed.
Her head cocked to the side in surprise as I called out the number I wanted information to give me. She'd expected me to call nine-one-one, but there was only one cop I needed to talk to.
I let information connect me and cleared my throat.
"Fourteenth Precinct, how may I help you?"
"I'd like to speak to Detective Sam Rollins, please." My voice was shaky, but audible. No small feat.
"Just a moment."
The woman in the office eyed me, but didn't say anything.
I heard the click of a transferred line and then ringing. It went on too long and my face fell. Then there was another click. The line rang again once and was picked up. Sam's voice, breathless and rough came through. "Rollins."
"Sam?"
"Who is…shit, Carly?"
"It's me," I said, tears stinging my eyes.
"Are you okay? Where are you?"
"I'm at a café off the parkway. They're looking for me."
"Address," he barked.
"I don't…hold on." I covered the mouthpiece and asked the woman. I repeated what she said into the phone.
"Cops will be there in two minutes. I'll be there in ten. Are you somewhere safe right now?"
"I think so."
"Don't move until you hear from me. I'll call you back on this line, okay?"
"Okay. Sam, I…"
I wasn't sure what to say next, but he hung up while I was thinking about it. Damn. I'd been so focused on getting him that I hadn't thought about what this meant. The mess I'd dragged him into had some serious potential consequences for him and it was getting worse every minute. He'd save me, of course, but at what cost to his own career?
"Honey, why don't you sit down," the woman said, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yeah, okay. Thanks." I sank down into the chair, leaving my hand on the phone and training my eyes on the door. "Someone's coming to help."
"I figured." She smiled at me softly and then fell silent.
Together we listened for updates from the other side of the door. There were a few exclamations of concern, but no yelling from inside the café. There was shouting in the distance as the sound of sirens grew louder and louder.
My hands shook as I heard a voice over a loudspeaker or something. I braced for gunshots or explosions, but nothing came. The noise level in the café increased and I could imagine the patrons, some shrinking back, others glued to the windows to see the excitement.
More than one car peeled away fast enough that the squeal of tires was loud even in the locked back room.
An authoritative voice sounded out above the din and quieted the café. Probably a cop getting the scene in order. Or so I hoped.
"Should we go out there?"
I shook my head at the woman. "My-my friend said to wait for his call. Just in case."
She nodded and came around to stand next to me. "Just in case."
Her apparent calm was contagious and I felt myself relax, just the slightest bit.
But then a loud crash way too close to us sent my pulse racing again. "What was that?" I whispered.
"I'm not sure. Shh."
My hands trembled as I waited to see what was coming next. The quiet, aside from murmuring voices in the front, was almost worse th
an the previous cacophony of sound. Everything sounded like a threat or an imminent attack.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the phone rang.
"Yes?"
"I'm coming in the front door of the restaurant right now. My guys have the place secured. You can come out."
I nodded, forgetting Sam couldn't see me yet.
"Carly? Did you hear me? Are you still okay?"
"Fine, Sam. See you in a minute."
My voice was so even, so calm. But as I lurched at the door and fumbled with the lock, I was anything but. I flung it open and sprinted down the short hallway, probably flashing most of the place, but I didn't care.
The second I saw Sam, any semblance of strength left me. He looked like a comic book hero in head-to-toe black aside from the police department logo on his jacket. I could see a gun in his holster and what looked like a bulletproof vest covering his broad chest. His longish, curly hair was pulled back from his face and his wide jaw was dark with stubble. A massive sob ripped through me and I threw myself into his big, strong arms.
He froze at first, but as my tears flowed and I muttered nonsense sounds of anguish into his chest, he softened and held me tight, stroking my hair. "It's okay, baby. You're safe now."
I knew he was wrong, but the soothing words were exactly what I needed to hear in that moment.
Efficient police officers and nosy café patrons circled us. The woman who'd helped me smiled and waved as she started giving her statement to a cop who looked barely old enough to drive.
I closed my eyes and blocked it all out, letting myself get lost in Sam's embrace.
Chapter Ten
We left the police station many hours later. I'd gone through pretty much every negative emotion possible in that time. From exhausted and dejected to impatient and antsy. I couldn't stop fiddling with the too-long hem of the shirt San had given me. The soft gray fabric read "Police" across the front and matched the sweatpants he'd borrowed from a female officer for me. The outfit was complete with a pair of gigantic flip-flops he said he wore in the shower.
Someone had taken my robe for "evidence" but I didn't care if I never saw the damned thing again. It certainly wouldn't offer any cozy comfort after all I'd been through wearing it.
Sliding into the car next to Sam, I took the first real deep breath of the day.
"I'm really sorry about today," I told him. "I know things just got a lot harder for you."
"I don't care about that. All that matters is keeping you safe."
I smiled. "Thanks for saving me. Again."
He swept one finger along my cheek and over my lips. "All part of the job, Carly."
I sighed and leaned over, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Tired, baby?"
"Yeah. It's just hitting me now."
"Adrenaline. You'll sleep like a rock tonight."
"Night?" I looked out the darkened window. "When did it get so late?"
"Somewhere between your third interview with my boss and my second one."
"Felt more like days than hours."
"Yeah, he's like that with everyone," he said dryly.
I shrugged, unable to manage a laugh. "You know what I kept thinking in there? The interview room?"
"What?"
"That it wasn't like on TV. The station, the interview rooms."
"Better or worse?"
"Better. Cleaner. Newer."
"Oh, yeah. Well, it is new. Give the place a couple of years and a few thousand dirt bags. It'll be just like Law and Order."
I laughed for real at that. "Good. Gotta give the people what they want."
Sam sighed loudly. "God, that's good to hear."
"About the station?"
"No. You, laughing."
I bit down on my lower lip, trying not to start crying again.
"Shit, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to bring it back up."
"Don't be. I'm happy and sad and tired and scared all at the same time. Who knows what might come out of me next."
"Focus on the tired, drift off if you want."
"Nah, what about when I get home?"
"I'll carry you."
"Shut up. You couldn't."
"Is that a challenge, Carly Chase?"
I smacked his arm lightly. "Not at all, Detective Rollins. I don't have the energy to challenge anyone or anything right now."
"I know. So rest. I'll wake you up when we get there."
"No, I'm okay. I'll just close my eyes for a second."
I did, and the next thing I knew we were stopped, parked in a garage that was tightly packed with boxes and shelves full of tools and stuff I couldn't recognize.
Sam was outside the passenger side door, reaching over me to undo my seatbelt.
"What are you doing? You are not going to try to carry me," I chided.
"Fine, fine. Now that you're up let's go."
I grinned sleepily and climbed out of the car, my limbs stiff. "Where are we? This isn't my apartment."
"Very observant. Your place is still a crime scene. Besides, it isn't safe for you to go back there yet."
He took my hand and guided me through the garage and up to a door at the top of two steps. "So you're staying with me tonight."
Part of me was giddy with excitement to see where he lived, but the rest of me didn't care as long as there was a bed I could pass out on.
Sam smiled as he led me through the small kitchen and down a hallway. "I'll give you the grand tour in the morning," he said, as if he'd heard my thoughts.
In his bedroom, I cast a brief glance around, kicked off my shoes, and collapsed on the dark sheets of his king-size bed.
He chuckled. "Goodnight to you too."
"Are you coming to bed?" I asked, face in a pillow.
"In a few minutes. I need to check my messages and have someone send over some clothes for you to wear tomorrow."
I rolled over and held out my hand to him. "Call in here, okay?"
He sat down next to me and kissed my shoulder. "Don't want to be alone?"
"No. Just stay until I fall asleep?"
"Of course. Shove over."
Sam climbed into bed with me, shoes, gun, and all. He pulled a blanket up over both of us and put his arms around me.
***
I woke up with a start, and a moment of panic, expecting to be back in that trunk again. But I wasn't. I was nestled comfortably in a huge bed with soft flannel sheets wrapped around me. I smiled and sighed, reaching for Sam. He wasn't there.
With a frown, I sat up and groaned. I was sore all over. I looked down at my arms and saw tons of bruises coloring on my skin. I prodded one with a finger and said, "Ouch."
A low chuckle sounded from the doorway. "It's a good thing you're pretty, baby. Because that's one of the dumbest things I've seen in a while."
I brushed a lock of hair out of my eyes and glared at him. "Asshole."
He grinned and walked over, dropping a big mug of coffee on the bedside table. "What happened to happy, perky morning Carly?"
"She got kidnapped and woke up feeling like she went through a cement mixer."
"Fair enough. Drink this and I'll find you some painkillers before we go."
"Go? Where are we going?"
"To the hospital, remember?"
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the coffee. After a sip, I let the hot sharpness sink in for a moment. "No hospital, Sam. I don't need it. They took a blood sample yesterday. I'm fine, just banged up."
"How do you know for sure?"
"I know." I put down the mug and slid closer to him, my legs dangling off the side of the high bed. "Please, I just want to rest."
"Fine. But you're not getting out of that bed until you feel a lot better, okay?"
"Works for me. Now, are you going to join me?"
"Sure, but aren't you hungry? I could fix you something."
"No, I…" I paused to think, and aside from something sweet from the vending machine at the station I hadn't eaten in more than a day, but
I wasn't hungry at all. "Not right now."
"All right." He climbed in bed with me again, this time in just pajama pants.
I wrapped my arms around his wide chest, wincing as bruised parts of me touched him, but enjoying the steady rise and fall of his breath and the raspy pelt of hair.
"Do you want to sleep?"
"Not really," I replied, twisting a long piece of his hair around my finger. "It's good to just be here with you."
"Yeah. This isn't exactly how I thought I'd get you to my place for the first time."
"Well, dating me is a life full of surprises. Go out for groceries and I disappear altogether."
I said it lightly, but felt bad as a shudder went through him. "Sorry."
"No, I…I can't tell you what it was like. Coming back to your place. The door was hanging open, things tossed around and you were gone. Just gone."
"Oh, Sam," I breathed, tucking my face into his neck.
His hands, spread across my back, were shaking.
"It's okay. I'm okay. Wait, did you say things were tossed around?"
"Yeah."
"But why? They drugged me in the bathroom and I was out in a second. How would my apartment get messed up in the struggle if there was no struggle?"
"That's a very good question. They must have tossed the place after they had you. Looking for something."
"What?"
"I can't even guess. But don't worry about that right now. Now we rest."
"Yeah, okay." I agreed and closed my eyes, but my mind kept churning.
This whole thing had started when I accidentally dropped myself into the middle of some kind of illegal prescription medication business. My boss at the messenger service was sending the guys out with who knows how many packages full of pills from at least one local doctor. I had no idea how big the operation was or who was even involved yet.
Which is why it made no sense for anyone to abduct me or search my apartment. There must be something else to it. Some reason or angle I wasn't seeing.
Sam sighed.
"What?" I asked quietly.
The Alpha's Touch Boxed Set (14 Book Bundle) Page 29
