Page 67 of A Protector For Phoebe (Love will OUT 2)

Chapter 28

If you see a chance, take it by the balls and run with it. ~ Phoebe’s rules for becoming a better person

“Get us out of this city,” Theodore orders.

Theodore? What? Am I having a nightmare? I try to open my eyes, but they’re glued shut. Cars honk and there’s a squeal of brakes. Shit. It all comes back to me. Theodore dragging me into his car. Ryker unable to get to me. The uncles not— Oh no. One of the uncles is hurt.

I can’t let thoughts of the uncles and Ryker distract me. I need to get myself out of this situation. Step one. Find out where the heck I am. I force one eye open and look outside. Huh. We’re still in Milwaukee? I must not have been out long. The material of my jeans and knee-high boots must have protected me from getting too much of the drug inside my body.

“Make sure the jet is fueled and prepared to take off.”

At Theodore’s words, my heart thumps loud enough I’m sure he’ll hear and realize I’m awake. If he manages to get me on the jet, I’ll be lost. There’s no way Ryker or the uncles can follow me into the air.

I need to get out of here now. There is no time for being sneaky. I reach for the handle and curve my hand around it. As soon as the car slows, I’m making a break for it.

I keep one eye open and watch the street for a stoplight. The other eye, the one closest to Theodore, I keep closed. Please, please, please, don’t realize I’m awake.

Theodore isn’t paying any attention to me. Of course not. I’m merely a possession after all. A possession with entirely too much attitude. But still just a possession.

I notice a stoplight up ahead. The light is green but as I watch it switches to yellow and the cars in front of us slow. This is my chance. I take a deep breath and pull the handle. The door flies open and I nearly fall out of the car.

“Stop!” Theodore yells. “You’ll only make it worse for yourself.”

I ignore him and start running. I run across the street and look around. Where am I? I need to contact Ryker, but my phone is in the car.

The tires of the black BMW squeal as it makes a U-turn. It catches up to me and slams to a stop in front of me. Shit. I’m out of time. I run toward the convenience store on the corner. He won’t forcibly take me from a store in front of witnesses, will he?

“Stop! Someone stop my wife! She’s mentally ill and needs help.”

Well, damn. I guess he will detain me against my will in front of witnesses. A truck screeches to a halt in front of me and Ryker jumps out.

“In the truck. Lock the doors,” he yells and throws me the keys.

I raise my hands too late to catch them, but they fall to the ground. I drop to my knees and scoop them up. As soon as I’m back on my feet, I race toward his truck. My hands are unsteady, and my body is shaking. It takes me two tries to open the door and I slip trying to climb into the truck, but I eventually manage to haul myself into the vehicle. As soon as I’m in the seat, I slam the door closed behind me and hit the locks.

Ryker prowls toward Theodore and his driver who take one look at him and retreat. They get back into their car and it peels out. They don’t get far. A blue sedan with a strobe light flashing halts in front of the car blocking them in. Aiden opens the door with his weapon pulled.

“Get out of the car with your arms raised.”

The driver doesn’t hesitate. As soon as he’s out of the car, a uniformed officer approaches and grabs him by the upper arm. He spins him around and cuffs him before hauling him away from the scene.

I expect Theodore to refuse. He doesn’t follow anyone’s orders after all. But he too steps out of the car with his hands raised.

“Officer, this is a misunderstanding. I’m merely trying to get my wife home. She’s mentally ill and needs treatment.”

I growl and my hands curl into fists. I am not mentally ill! And I’m about done with him making ludicrous claims about me. I unlock the doors and jump out of Ryker’s truck.

“I am not mentally ill! You’re a sick bastard.”

Theodore shakes his head with a frown on his face. “You see what I mean?”

“All I see is a woman who doesn’t want to be with you who was detained against her will.”

I don’t hear any more as Ryker is there pushing me away from the scene.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I yank on my arm, but his grip doesn’t weaken.

“Princess, I just watched a man drag you by your hair, punch you, and then drug you. Please, don’t fight me.” Ryker looks me in the eyes, and I see anguish there. I give up fighting.

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