Page 5 of Donovan Blake: Adrenalin

“This will take us to the end of the block and I can turn left away from the complex,” she said hastily. “Where are we going?”

“Take Route 9. About ten minutes down take the Pullham Road exit, then—”

“That’s going into the city center.”

“Just listen! There’s a cream office building halfway down the block. Pull into the parking garage and stop at the valet station.”

“Will anyone—?”

“Phoebe, stop asking so many questions and just follow my directions.”

“Okay, okay, but what should I do about work?”

“You’ll call in sick.”

“How long do you think—?“

“That depends,” he replied, cutting her off.

“Uh…is Donovan your real name?”

“Yes, Phoebe, it’s my real name,” he replied, frowning across at her.

“You can’t blame me for wanting to know stuff! I’m completely freaked out right now. I feel as if I’m kidnapping myself.”

“Are you here against your will?”

“Kind of. I mean, you didn’t give me much of a choice.”

“You always have a choice. Drop me off if you want. Go to the police. Is that what you want to do?”

“I can’t exactly go home! And you said those thugs will come after me.”

“They will, but if you believe the police can protect you, then—“

“What are you doing?” she demanded, raising her voice. “Why are you saying all these things?”

“Phoebe, I’ll only tell you this once,” he said tersely, glaring at her. “Don’t yell at me again.”

“Sorry,” she muttered, feeling like a scolded child.

“I’m simply making a point,” he continued. “You’re here because you want to be. Danger excites you, and don’t try to deny it. You’re an adrenalin junkie.”

“You don’t know anything about me!” ”

“But I do. As I just said, you’re an adrenalin junkie.”

“And you know that how?”

“You don’t work in maternity or pediatrics, or even the emergency room. You chose the trauma center, the place that handles the most serious conditions that come in. When you saw those brutes attacking me you stopped. You could have continued on and called 911 when you got a signal. But not only did you pull up, you left the safety of your car and ran through a downpour on a dark street to help me. Then you invited me, a total stranger, into your home.”

Listening to him, a chill rippled through her body.

Everything he said was true.

“Phoebe, I’m not forcing you to do anything and you can walk away any time you want. There’s the exit. You’ll see the building as soon as you reach the bottom of the ramp.”

A hot flush burned across her face.

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