Page 32 of Priest

I remain staring at my shoes. “How did you know I was here?”

“Linda called me. I came by last night when you didn’t show.”

“You did?”

“Of course. We’re friends. We were worried. Then when you showed up, she saw you were hurt… I went to the bus station first.” Of course he would know how to find me. I think he would no matter where I went.

I try to keep the tears in, but I can’t. Wiping them furiously, I swallow hard. “I’m leaving tonight.”

“Bella, look at me.” His voice is soft, encouraging. Like he’s talking to a small child or a kitten who’s stuck in a tree.

I close my eyes. This man is so sweet and dear, and I’m taking up his valuable time when I could be on a bus out of here, long forgotten. The thought also fills me with dread because I like him. I like him more than I should.

“Look at me,” he says again.

I turn my head, a tear slipping down my cheek as he stares at me. His head reaches for me and I don’t flinch. He wipes the tear away with his thumb and his voice is eerily calm when he says, “Who did this to you?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“So you knew him?”

Shit.

“I don’t know…”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I… I wanted to come… last night, but I was scared because he followed me. Then when he attacked me, I ran and got away. I came here because he knew where I was staying. The Soup Kitchen was closed, so I slept here…”

“Who?”

“Rueben,” I whisper.

His hands clench into fists. “He’s a dead man.”

“No,” I protest. “I think he’d been drinking.”

“That’s no excuse! He hurt you.” He looks really freaking mad; his face reddens and his eyes grow dark. “You need to see a doctor.”

I shake my head. “No! I can’t, Priest. No doctors, please.”

He sighs. “I know someone. She’s an EMT, she’s nice. Will you let me call her? I promise she won’t intrude.”

I stare up at him. It’ll please him if I do this. I don’t want him to be mad at me. “Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll see her.”

“You’re comin’ home with me.”

Hope blooms in my chest. I’m not afraid of him, even after what that asshole Rueben did to me. Priest isn’t like that. He’s nothing like that monster.

“I don’t know if I should. I was going to get the bus to Texas.”

“Texas can wait, and I already told you that I’d drive you if you really need to go so urgently.” His tone is firm. “But not tonight. Tonight you’re comin’ home with me, and Casey, the EMT friend of mine, will come and check you over. Aside from the bruising and swelling to your face, did he hurt you anywhere else?”

I swallow hard, knowing his implication. “No,” I whisper. “He didn’t do anything else; I managed to kick him in the balls and run.”

He nods. “Good girl. But when I find that piece of shit, his life won’t be worth livin’.”

The look in his eyes tells me he’s serious.

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