Page 36 of Stripped

"You fucking bastard. I'll scream."

"Go ahead. I'll gag you." He loosened the black silk tie from around his neck.

"You motherfucking—" He didn't give her a chance to finish. Folding the tie in half, he put it in her mouth and knotted it tightly at the back of her head.

"We've already talked about your language." He picked her up, putting her over his shoulder and grabbing her around the thighs, to prevent her from kicking him. Then he walked downstairs, depositing her in the passenger's side of the car. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to shout behind the gag. He fastened her seatbelt and got in on his side of the car. Reaching over, he opened the glove box and retrieved a prepaid disposable phone. He needed to get her out of the city but had nowhere to go. The Tower was out of the question, and when his former identity Robert McFadden died, he lost all his property, including the house that belonged to his grandmother. He took out his wallet. He couldn't use his credit cards, they would be traceable. He had five hundred pounds in his wallet, but a hotel would involve other people and he couldn't take the chance. He had only one idea. Pim continued to struggle beside him, so he pulled her seatbelt tighter. "Stop it," he said. "You're only making it worse."

The idea was extremely risky. He punched the number into the phone. Green eyes hovered in his mind and his heart clenched. There would be no going back. But there were crystal eyes too now, sitting next to him, and though courageous, he could see the fear deep within them. He'd asked for her trust; he couldn't fail her now.

He typed the message. I need help.

A message pinged back. Who is this?

The less you know, the better. I need a place to stay that is private. A croft on the property that is not being used.

Ping. Dear God. Sìthiche cottage on the northeastern side of the property is empty.

He typed back. No one else can know. It's for a young girl.

Ping. No one goes there. I'll make sure there are supplies and food.

We'll be there by midnight. Thank you. It's best if we don't see each other.

He pulled the SIM card from the phone and crushed it between his fingers.

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