Page 29 of Ruthless Oath

“We are leaving the city. You’re not the one calling the shots,” he said. “Be quiet so I can think.”

“Think about what?”

He didn’t answer as he took the exit that would take us away from the Manhattan skyline.

“I can work things out with my dad,” I said. “I’ll tell him this was a misunderstanding. I can convince him that Danny was being a jerk, which he was, and he manhandled me, which he did. I’ll tell Daddy that you were protecting me.”

“By taking you away at gunpoint?”

“I can lie for you. It’s Danny’s word against mine.” The farther into the tunnel we got, the more I stared back at the city. “Where are we going?”

No answer.

“Danny was being an ass,” I said. “I’ll get my father to understand that. I’ll tell him that for all your help, he should assist you in getting your dad home. He’ll listen.”

“I said I didn’t need your fucking help.” He slammed his fist against the wheel. “Be quiet.”

“Just tell me where we’re going.” I liked a surprise just as much as the next girl, but something told me wherever we were headed wasn’t going to be the kind of surprise I wanted.

Once we were out of the tunnel, he turned the music up again.

“You’re not taking me to the Ritz, are you?”

“No, princess, I’m not.” He maneuvered down a side road that was only lit because of the almost-full moon.

I looked out the window, trying to get my bearings, but I had no idea where we were. Wasn’t the whole scene back at the dealership for show? Was that message he gave Danny to give to my father real?

“You really did kidnap me?” I asked.

“What gave it away?”

“Marchello, it isn’t too late to stop this. Just drop me off at a shopping center or something, and I’ll call my dad. He’ll understand.”

Going back to my dad meant going back to Danny, but I never meant for things to get this far when I sought Marchello’s help. I didn’t even know what my plan would be when I went to the dealership.

Isn’t that my MO? Act on impulse and worry about the consequences later?

“You have no idea how any of this works, do you?” He made a left turn that led us down another dark country road. “Do you think your father is just going to say it’s okay? That he’ll excuse me for taking you?”

“I told you, I’ll tell him you were trying to protect me.”I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I don’t want them to hurt you or for anything to happen to you because of me.”

“I’m not the one who needs to be afraid.” He sped up, taking the curve too fast for my liking. “Danny came onto my territory. He had no business there.”

He thinks I’m his business.

“Why was he looking for you?” Marchello glanced at me before returning his attention to the road.

“I don’t know.” I fidgeted with my hands. I didn’t want to tell him about the arrangement my father made with Danny. That would only complicate matters. “He’s an idiot.”

We drove onto a small bridge that crossed a river, and Marchello stopped the car. I gazed out the window, squinting at the murky water.

“What are we doing?” For a fleeting second, a scary thought crossed my mind. Would he toss me in? “Why are we stopped here?”

“Where is your phone?”

I dug into my bag, rummaging through the various lip glosses and compacts to locate my phone. “Right here.”

“Give it to me.” He held out his hand. “Now.”

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