Page 27 of Savage Ruin
When he lets go, I sprint toward the house and straight to my room. Slamming the door shut, I head to the bathroom and turn on the water to brush my teeth. My head spins while I brush and try to think of what to do next. Run?
Several of my safe houses are within driving distance, but where’s my car? I haven’t even thought about it since I parked it in the hotel garage. Is it still there? Could he trace it to me? I didn’t register the vehicle under Henley Night, but I can’t remember if I gave the license plate to the front desk clerk.
Blondie was there the night Diego took me from the hotel. In fact, he knows—umm… knew—quite a bit about me, including the name I used at the hotel, which is the same freaking name I’m using now. Why did I use Henley Night? Damn it.
Plus, there’s all the media pictures with my new name. It seems so incredibly stupid right now. It doesn’t matter if I have a thousand wigs. He knows exactly what I look like.
I told myself I didn’t believe in the promise of safety here, but I did. A sob escapes. I let the illusion lull me into a false sense of safety. If I hadn’t, I would have an exit plan, but I have no plan. Zero. Nada. I yank my fingers through my hair nervously. So stupid.
I finish and rinse my mouth. The wild woman in the mirror catches my eye. Breathe, Henley. Stop spiraling and focus. You’ve escaped many, many times. You can do this. You’ve got the resources.
I go to the closet and pull down the duffle bag I saw in there the other day. My side twinges a little, but I ignore it. The bruises have faded to a yellowish-brown color and I’m healing fine, but I can’t afford to escape one man and fall into the trap of an even worse one. The thought is sobering and exactly what I need.
Within minutes, most of my clothes are packed. You don’t need much when you’re on the run. Leggings, t-shirts, and running shoes. The foundation of every professional runner’s wardrobe. After packing, I put it back into the closet.
Just in time, too. A knock sounds on the door. I open it to find Grayson standing there wearing the same worried expression.
Relief flashes across his face. He pulls me into his arms, squeezing me tightly. “Sweet Rose, it’s going to be okay. Lean on me, okay?”
His arms feel so good, too good. I pull back and nod. “I’m sorry for being rude earlier. I just…” I purposely let my voice trail off. The man is a walking lie detector and I can’t afford for him to suspect something’s up. “I brushed my teeth, and I’m not sick anymore. That’s better, right?”
His eyes narrow, but I must pass his test because he agrees.
As if worried I’ll run again, he tugs me into his side and locks an arm around me. We walk into the living room and find Thiago and Mateo having a conference call with Zane, Sterling, and some guy I’ve never met.
Mateo leaps up and rushes over to wrap his arms around me. Breathing me in, he holds me tightly, as if he needs a hug as much as I do. I grip him hard in return. Tears clog my throat, but I can’t let them fall. Not now. I don’t want him to know I’m on the edge looking down.
“I’m okay,” I tell Mateo.
He eases back and studies the look on my face. “You’re not okay, but you’re strong. And you have us. All of us.” His lips capture mine in a short, but sweet kiss.
My lips cling to his when he pulls away. I frown as his words register, but my attention is caught by Thiago, who’s standing in front of me, brows drawn, mouth tight.
His obsidian eyes sweep me from head to toe. His anger from earlier is gone, but so is the relaxed Thiago I’ve gotten to know better since I moved in here. He’s been replaced by the ruthless predator I met at SEI by the elevator. “Why can’t you listen when I tell you to go inside?” He sighs heavily, like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.
He pulls me from Grayson and guides me over to the couch to sit in front of the open laptop. “Who’s the message from, Henley? Is it him?”
I bite my lip but say nothing.
“The nickname, the personal tone, and the reference to William not saving you. We know the message is for you, but we need you to confirm it’s from your stalker.” Thiago squats down to face me. “Tell me, please. I don’t know how to protect you if I don’t have all the details.”
William must have been blondie’s real name. I remember the ring on his finger and wonder if he’s still married. Poor woman.
I glance at Mateo, who’s sitting at the table with his laptop in front of him, looking worried to death. I sigh and return my gaze to the powerful man in front of me.
Thiago’s dark eyes are fierce, like he’s willing to slaughter the world for me, and surprisingly, it’s this silent reassurance that helps me get the words out.
“It’s him. My stalker. He’s always called me Little Brain. I don’t know why, but since it all started at MIT, I’m guessing he knew me somehow. He’s incredibly smart. Smarter than me. Mateo’s level. Obsessed. I don’t know what he looks like because the few times I’ve seen him, he wore a mask. He’s tall. Maybe 6’2” or 6’3”.” I stop and take a deep breath. My hands are shaking with pumped up adrenaline or fear. I don’t know. Every time I tell someone about him, he destroys them. Well, except for Marcos, but as Marcos reminded me, you can’t hurt a ghost.
Thiago darts a look at the three men on the screen in front of me who are taking notes.
“Can you introduce me?” I ask Thiago, nodding my head to the stranger on the screen.
“Henley, Raider,” Zane interjects. “Raider, say hi to Henley and be nice.”
The man beside Zane has absolutely zero expression on his face, but his eyes are cold as ice. Light blue in color, they contrast sharply with his dark skin, but it’s not the color that makes them appear cold. Those are the eyes of a killer. I shiver.
He grunts out my name. “Henley.”
