As Carter starts the car, he asks, “What’s it with you and this girl?”
“She’s a kid, Carter. I can’t let her live on the streets. She won’t make it out there.”
Carter shakes his head, not agreeing with me.
“I might be helping, but that doesn’t mean that I agree with you. You can’t save people like her. She’ll keep going back to the street, no matter how hard you try.”
I glare at him before turning my eyes back to the street.
“Nothing you say will stop me from trying,” I whisper.
Carter lets out a heavy breath, but at least he keeps driving.
“Where do you want to start looking?” he asks.
“I don’t know.” I think about it for a minute then say, “Close to restaurants and fast food places. If I were homeless, I would stay close to any place I can get food.”
Hours later, I’m on the verge of losing hope when Carter says, “I’m stopping at McDonald's. You want something?”
I have no appetite which alone says a lot about my mood. I’ve never been so upset over a stranger before.
“Just get me a bottle of water.”
When we pull up to the drive-thru, there are six cars ahead of us.
Without thinking it through, I open the door. “I’m going to look around while you get your food.”
I’m out of the car before Carter can respond. Walking through the parking area, I head away from the main street. When I pass by the dumpsters, the stench is almost overwhelming. I carry on down a quieter road, looking up every alley.
I only realize how far I’ve walked when Carter pulls up next to me. The pissed off glare I get from him tells me he’s ready to head home.
I can’t give up yet. I know I’ll find Evie if I just keep looking.
When I don’t get back in the car, Carter gets out and growls, “What the fuck are you doing, Rhett? We’ve been driving around for hours. Get your ass in the car. We’re going home.”
“No,” I say, as I start to walk away from him. “She could be in the next alley.”
“Rhett!” he yells at the same time a cry echoes from nearby.
I start to run in the direction I heard the cry come from. It sounded like a woman. If it’s a cry for help, I sure as hell won’t ignore it.
“Fuck!” Carter shouts, and he slams the car door closed.
I turn right into an alley, but except for a couple of dumpsters, it’s empty. For a moment I doubt that I ran in the right direction.
“Rhett, this is fucking crazy,” Carter snaps when he catches up to me.
Frustrated that this entire day has been a fucking waste, I shake my head. If I could just see that Evie is okay, I’ll feel better.
Carter places his hand on my shoulder, and I know he’s trying his best to understand my insane decision to find Evie.
“I get that you want to help her, but she’s gone. For all you know she’s already on her way to another town. You tried, Rhett, but it’s time to go home.”
“Yeah, you’re –” My words are cut off by another cry, and this time it’s fucking close. I run towards the dumpsters, and only when I’ve passed the first two, do I see a flash of red hair.
I hear something being slammed into the side of the dumpster, and as I come around it, I see that it was Evie. She falls down to the ground, but immediately darts back to her feet. I’m so fucking relieved that I’ve found her, that I freeze for a second.
“This is my alley,” a homeless man roars at her.
I quickly step between them as my heart beat spikes and anger starts to simmer in my chest.
Taking hold of Evie’s hand, I keep her behind me. The last thing I want is for her to run while I face the fucking insane man.
“She’s leaving. There’s no reason for this to get ugly,” I try to reason with the guy.
“This is my alley,” he roars again, and from his bloodshot eyes it’s clear he’s either on something, or he got his hands on alcohol. Fuck, I don’t want to beat up a homeless guy but I will if he becomes a threat.
“We’re leaving,” I growl as I switch Evie’s hand to my right one. I push her to the side until Carter takes her from me.
Only when Carter starts to walk away with Evie safely at his side, do I back away entirely.
As soon as there’s a safe distance between myself and the homeless guy, he loses interest in me and sits down next to a battered box which must be his home.
I jog to catch up with Carter and Evie, and I’m surprised that she’s not fighting us. It’s only then the thought that she might’ve gotten hurt, crosses my mind.
I take hold of her arm and pull her to a stop. When I lift her face up, her skin is pale, and her eyes are big from shock.
“Are you hurt?” I ask as I glance over her body, but the baggy clothes she’s wearing just about cover every inch of her. She looks skinnier than yesterday. It’s like she’s vanishing right in front of my eyes.
A wave of protectiveness surges through me. I want to pick Evie up and carry her away from this life. Everyone deserves a chance at a good life, and there’s nothing I want more than to be that chance for her.
She shakes her head, and her chin starts to quiver. “I didn’t know that was his alley,” she whispers as a tear escapes her eye. “I was looking through the dumpsters when he caught me. I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen.”
I glance back to make sure the guy isn’t following us, but there’s no sign of him.
I place my arm around her shoulder and draw her to my side. Feeling her tremble, makes me hold her a little tighter. The top of her head barely reaches my shoulder.
“It looked like he was on something. Let’s get out of here.”
She doesn’t put up a fight until we reach the car. Pulling away from me, she glances back to make sure she’s safe from that guy before she faces us. From the fear in her eyes, I know she still sees me as a threat.
Before she can start to panic, I say, “I just want to help you. Let me drop you off at a hotel so you’ll at least be safe for the night. We can talk about everything tomorrow after you’ve eaten something and had a good night’s rest.”
Her green eyes are filled with uncertainty as she wraps her arms around her waist. I can see that she’s torn between accepting my offer and running.
I keep my distance from her, not wanting to spook her any more than she already is.
“Evie, if I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve already. I really just want to help you. We don’t have to take my car. We can grab a cab. Let’s just get you a room at a hotel so you can be safe for the night. We can meet for breakfast tomorrow and talk about the deal some more. Just give me a chance to help you.”
A sad look washes over her face, making her eyes look bruised.
“Okay,” she whispers. I get a feeling she only agreed because she doesn’t have any other choice.
“Will you take the car home?” I ask Carter who has been watching us silently. Yeah, he’s not happy with me right now, but it’s great to know that even though I pissed him off, he still had my back.
“Are you going to take a cab home?” he asks me.
“Yeah, but I’ll call you from the hotel. I just want to get Evie settled.”
“Right,” he says. He knows me better than anyone else, which means he knows I won’t leave that hotel until I’ve talked to Evie and I know she’s off the street.
At least he doesn’t argue. As he drives away, Evie and I start to walk towards McDonald’s.
“You want to get something to eat while I call for a cab?”
I watch her swallow hard, and then she nods, a look of hunger replacing the sadness that was there a second ago.
I’m taking that as a win. The longer Evie’s in my company, seeing that I won’t hurt her, the better the odds are that she’ll take the deal.
Chapter 5
EVIE
Walking into McDonald’s, I feel self-conscious. My skin prickles as people glance at me, b
efore quickly dropping their eyes again.
It doesn’t help that Rhett is right next to me. Even in my desperate state, I notice how gorgeous he is, and the expensive charcoal shirt and jeans, only make the drabs I’m wearing stand out like a sore thumb. I look like a piece of trash walking next to him, which makes the urge to run increase.
But my hunger wins the battle. The delicious smell hanging in the air makes my stomach growl painfully. A cloud of embarrassment hangs over my head as I wrap my arms tighter around my stomach, hoping to muffle the loud rumbling.
I’m only painfully aware of what I look like until I see the menu with all the pictures of food. My mouth instantly starts to water.
“What would you like?” Rhett asks. His deep voice reluctantly makes me tear my eyes away from the menu.
When I hesitate to answer, he leans closer and whispers, “You can choose anything. Either that or I’ll order half the menu.”
My eyes dart back to the menu, and I feel so overwhelmed by all the choices that I can’t make myself choose.
“I’m not picky.” As I whisper the words my cheeks flame up with shame.
A month ago I would’ve died just thinking about being in a situation like this, but after living on the streets the past weeks, my need to survive just another day triumphs over my battered pride.
When it’s our turn to order, and Rhett steps up to the counter, I can’t force my legs to follow. I stand rooted to the spot as my cheeks burn brighter. I’m so caught up in this mortifying moment, that I jerk when Rhett takes hold of my arm. I let him pull me out of the line, to the side where we have to wait for the order.
I’m thankful when Rhett takes his phone out and starts to type on it, instead of trying to have a conversation with me.
When the order is ready, Rhett passes me the cups. “Will you grab us some soda while I get us a table?”
I nod, and keeping my head down, I make my way over to the soda fountain. I blindly go with the first option and fill the cups.
When I turn around, I’m relieved to see that Rhett chose a table in the back. Feeling vulnerable, I quickly walk to where he is. I place the cups in the middle of the table and sit down as fast as I can. Hunching my shoulders, I let my hair fall over my face so I can hide behind it.
Rhett moves a tray into my line of vision, and the moment I see the burger, chicken nuggets, and fries, I almost start to cry. The lump in my throat is thick, but I swallow it down and fight the thankful tears off.
With trembling hands, I pick up a nugget. At first, I try to hold myself back as I take a tiny bite, but when the rich flavor explodes in my mouth, I lose my self-control. I shove the entire nugget in my mouth, and closing my eyes, I savor the taste and warmth.
A stubborn tear sneaks down my cheek. Quickly wiping it away I glance at Rhett to make sure he didn’t see it.
His eyes are locked on my face, his features torn with anger and anguish.
He looks so upset that I immediately apologize. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
I try harder to stay in control of my emotions and hunger as I reach for the second nugget, but my hand freezes an inch away from the golden-brown piece of chicken when Rhett growls, “You have nothing to apologize for.”
My eyes dart back to his, and I swallow hard as the emotional lump starts to form in my throat again. I wish I could take the food and go hide somewhere private so I can savor every bite.
“Don’t worry about me or the other people, Evie. Please eat.”
I blink rapidly as my eyes start to burn, and with a slight nod, I pick up another nugget.
I’ve just swallowed my third nugget when Rhett pushes one of the cups closer to me.
I give him a trembling smile as I bring the cup to my lips. Taking a tiny sip, a sickly sweetness engulfs my mouth, and I immediately regret not getting water for myself.
“I’ve ordered us an Uber. It should be here in ten minutes.”
I nod, feeling apprehensive about getting into a car with Rhett. Yesterday I had a job and the strength to fight, but after being fired and spending another night on the streets, I’m desperate.
Maybe Rhett really wants to help me?
It’s not like I have many options. I’m either going to die on the streets or take a chance and hope for the best.
I’m torn up between feeling hopeful and scared out of my mind, as I stare down at my full tray of food. I can only manage one more nugget before I’m full, and I stare at the burger and fries with a sense of loss.
“If you’ve had enough, you can take the leftovers with you.”
Rhett only has to tell me once. I close the lid over the box and carefully place it in a bag Rhett must’ve asked for when he got the order. When the little packet of fries is also inside the bag, I carefully close the bag so I won’t tear it.
“Are you ready?” Rhett asks.
When I nod, he gets up and taking our trays he disposes of them before I follow him outside to where a car is already waiting for us.
He holds open the door for me, and for a second I hesitate before I climb into the back seat. When Rhett gets in next to me, my hand instinctively moves closer to the handle of the door next to me, so I can quickly escape if I need to.
Rhett gives the driver the name of a hotel, and as the Uber takes us to the destination, I remain painfully aware of Rhett sitting next to me.
Holding the bag of food tightly, I take in my surroundings as we’re dropped off in front of a hotel which is way too luxurious for the likes of me.
Rhett pays the driver and then lightly takes hold of my elbow.
There’s a war raging inside of me as we walk towards the entrance, and as we enter an expensive, but stunning reception area, I’m once again reminded that I look like something the cat dragged in.
Every surface sparkles and even the plants by the fountain look like they’ve been polished.
To my left, I notice a boutique filled with elegant clothes. To my right are plush couches, and a man who’s seated at one frowns at me from over the top of his newspaper.
I hold my bag of food tighter, and unconsciously I take a step closer to Rhett as he starts to talk to the receptionist.
“I’d like a room for one person,” he says as he takes his wallet from his back pocket.
I don’t make eye contact with the pretty brunette behind the counter. The last thing I want to see is the gleam of disgust in her eyes when she looks at me.
“Only for one person?” she asks, and I hear the disapproval clearly in her tone.
Oh no, she thinks I’m spending the night with Rhett.
I take a step back as my wounded pride urges me to tell her that I’m not a whore, but Rhett beats me to it.
“The lady will be staying alone,” he bites the words out.
When I glance up at him, I’m surprised to see the look of warning he’s giving the receptionist.
I’ve never had someone stand up for me. To some people, it might be nothing, but the fact that Rhett just defended me, leaves me speechless.
Rhett’s behavior keeps catching me off guard because after he’s done checking me into the hotel, he hands me the keycard to the room. I stare at the little card, not quite believing that I’ll have a safe place to stay for the night. I feel a flutter of excitement in my chest, but I warn myself to not let my guard down. Life has a way of hitting me off my feet the second I think things might be getting better.
“You’re on the second floor, room two-oh-four. Make sure you lock the door behind you. I’ll meet you right here tomorrow morning at nine. We can have breakfast and then you can tell me whether you’re taking the deal. Please think about it tonight. There are no strings attached. I really just want to help you.”
“You’re not coming up?” I ask surprised.
He frowns down at me. Oh crap! I didn’t mean it like that.
“I… that came out wrong. I just thought you would like to talk now. It’s not like you know me and you’re about to leave me alone in an ex
pensive looking hotel. Aren’t you scared that I’ll steal something?”
Ugh, that sounds even worse. I close my eyes as my face starts to light up with embarrassment.
When I feel his hand on my shoulder, my eyes snap open. He gives me a light squeeze before removing his hand.
“I thought you would feel safer if I didn’t go to the room with you. If you want to talk now, I’m all for it. Honestly, it would make me feel better.”
I nod as I force a small smile on my face.
“I’m not going to lie, it will be awkward, but the sooner we talk, the sooner we’ll feel comfortable around each other. We might as well talk now, it’s not like I have any plans for tonight.”
“Okay, let’s do this,” he says.
The silence is uncomfortable as we get in the elevator, and it keeps getting thicker as we walk to the room. I have zero social skills and don’t know how to approach this situation.
When we get to the door, I’m not sure what to do, so I hold the keycard out to Rhett.
He takes it from me, and I don’t miss as the corner of his mouth twitches. He swipes the card and pushes the door open. When he waits for me to walk in first, I feel a warmth blossoming in my chest.
As my eyes dart around the room, my mouth falls open.
“Wow,” I whisper, totally awe-struck by how stunning the room is. There’s even a tiny lounge with plush couches and a TV. I can’t remember when last I watched TV.
“Do you like it?” Rhett asks.
I glance over my shoulder to where he’s still standing in the doorway.
“It’s beautiful,” I say. Placing my bag next to the couch, I smile at Rhett. “You can come inside.”
He walks a little closer as his eyes sweep over the room.
We’re back to being awkward, and wanting to break the ice, I ask, “Why are you doing this for me? You don’t know me.”
A soft look fills his eyes, and it feels like he’s giving me a glimpse of himself. Looking at him now, he doesn’t come across as someone who would hurt me. Yesterday I was scared out of my mind, but after he’s done nothing but help me the past few hours. I’m starting to think that I might have overreacted a little.
Shameless (An Enemies To Lovers Novel Book 5) Page 3
