In the weeks following her…accident, she’d developed a gut feeling for things, like who to trust and who to avoid, which direction to take and how to find food. Even how to fend for herself on the streets. Everything inside her told her to run, to get the hell out of there. Her life depended on it. So she took off as fast as her legs would carry her. The cops hopped back in their vehicle, evidently deciding it was easier than chasing her on foot. Stupid. Brice turned the very next corner and headed up a busy one way street, forcing them to waste precious time re-exiting the vehicle. Just the lucky break she needed. She was losing them, and couldn’t help but smile.
That was when the car hit her.
It reversed straight out of nowhere. The funny thing was that it hadn’t even been travelling fast. Her own momentum resulted in an impact hard enough to knock her to the ground. Brice shook her head a few times before her focus winked back. Something hot and wet stung her right eye and blurred her vision. She used her hand to rub it away. Her panic levels shot back up when she saw that her fingers were covered in blood. Her blood. She had to move, and had to do it now.
A man bent over her. The driver of the vehicle? Even if she cared, there was no time to find out. Ignoring him, she tried to stand. Her right ankle refused to take her weight. Sharp pains shot up her leg and her sneaker already felt tight. Shit on toast with raspberry jelly. In just a few short seconds she’d be captured. And this she knew without an inkling of doubt, would lead to death. Possibly her own or even worse, theirs.
Brice looked up at the man who had done this to her as he grabbed her in what seemed like an attempt to steady her. His jaw was clenched and his brow creased. Severe, hard, yet concerned. At first his gaze showed confusion and then fleetingly turned to recognition as his steel grey eyes narrowed into hers. If he thought he knew her, he was wrong.
“Help me.” It didn’t come out sounding as forceful as she’d hoped. More of a desperate whisper really.
The dark-haired stranger didn’t have time to answer because the cops had arrived. Curly and Mo were both overweight and puffing hard. Shit, she was beginning to feel tingly. This had happened before…just before…she lost control. She couldn’t allow that to happen now. Breathe. Relax.
Don’t panic.
“Good day!” The fatter of the two cops nodded at the tall guy who held her. “Thank-you for your assistance in apprehending our suspect. We’ll take it from here.”
“Can I see some form of identification please?” The driver of the car spoke in a clipped tone, laced with authority. For the first time in months, she felt herself calm. Felt the thing that had taken residence inside her recede. She actually felt normal. Almost.
“We’re in uniform,” the other cop answered, his cheeks flushed.
“Don’t have to show you shit.” It was fatty; he swiped a meaty hand across his shiny forehead.
“We’ll be on our way then.” The driver hoisted her up, fitting her snugly into the crook of his arm. She sighed. Not just any sigh, but one of utter contentment. It just slipped out, like being in his arms was the most natural thing in the whole world. It felt good. Her eyes slipped closed so she could savor the moment.
“Fine,” Fatty huffed bringing her back to reality. They both pulled out their badges. “I’m Officer Gillis and this is Officer Seger. I need to inform you that you are interfering in a police investigation, which is a serious offense. If arrested, you could face jail time.”
Brice sighed, this time in frustration. She clenched her eyes expecting the tingles to resurface. Surprised when they didn’t, she opened them a crack and caught his steel grey gaze. This time she noticed a bit of dark blue within those depths, and crinkles around the edges of his eyes. He was smiling. Barely. At her. He flashed her a wink, so quickly, she almost missed it.
“I’m Detective Hall.” Keeping her anchored with one arm, he used the other to pull out a shield. “I’ll take her in.”
Damn.
This was a great time to have her instincts fail her. Everything in her told her she could trust this man. That he meant her no harm. More than that, he was going to help her. But how could that be? He was on the same side as Curly and Mo over there. A cop.
“Nice to meet you, Detective, but like I said, we got this.” Officer Seger said.
“This woman is a suspect in a stabbing. Can’t talk about the details until she’s been processed. I’m sure you understand protocol Officers?” Detective Hall was pulling rank, even in the midst of all this, she had to suppress a smile. “I’ll bring her in myself. I’m afraid you’re going to have to stand in line, because I picked her up first.” The dark haired stranger flipped her around in one easy move that told her he had to work out. Brice suppressed a moan as pain flared from her injured ankle. The detective held her up against the side of his vehicle. Right on the same spot she’d run into just a few minutes earlier. His hand was firm yet gentle as he searched her for weapons.
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Mated to the Vampire Kings Page 17
