Page 52 of Stripped

"Done."

Sin ended the call and turned to Pim. "Call Gabriel if you need anything or if he takes a turn for the worse."

She nodded. Pulling out of the alley, she headed north.

It was a while before Wraith finally spoke. "You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she lied, concentrating on the road. She floored it when she got to the A9, shifting gears as she sped up the motorway, dodging in and out of traffic.

"Jesus Christ, slow down," Wraith said, holding his chest.

She pressed on the accelerator. The engine revved. "Fuck off."

"Now, that's the girl I know and love," he teased. Sweat covered his forehead, a small bead escaping and running down his cheek.

"You're not just a private investigator." She didn't look at him when she said it; she already knew the answer.

"No."

"Military?" she asked warily.

"No, I told you I'm ex-military." It was becoming a struggle for him to speak and she could hear the effort of it in his voice.

"Government?"

"Primrose, the less you know, the better. Trust me." He closed his eyes, the tiny lines at the corners creased with the strain. She changed lanes without looking, a car swerved getting out of the way, and the person laid on the horn. "Shite. Pull over," he said, sitting up straight and grimacing.

"No, it's fine."

"Pull over now, or else. You're out of control."

She slowed down, stopping on the verge, and slammed her fists into the steering wheel, over and over again. Hot tears she had tried to hold off flooded her eyes. She covered her face with her hands and let them come. Diving into the pain, she no longer tried to fight it. Strong arms came around her.

"Shhh. Let it out, baby. Let it out," Wraith said softly. "You don't have to tell me what happened until you're ready, just let it out." He continued to hold her gently, and eventually, she managed to stop crying. "That's my girl. Why don't you let me drive the rest of the way?"

That's my girl. The words made her stomach turn and she quickly opened the door, retching onto the pavement. Words she used to treasure, now vile. Anger welled up inside her, replacing her fear. Anger at Sokolov and anger at herself for letting him get inside her head. "I'm fine," she said, wiping her mouth on the sleeve of his sweatshirt. "You're injured worse. I promise I'll drive slow."

It was past midnight when she finally pulled off the A9 and started down the winding road that would lead her to the destination. She pulled up to a large, wrought iron gate, where a car was waiting for them, and a man got out.

Pim stopped the car, putting it in park, and rolled down her window. The man came to her side. "He needs help."

"Aye, I'll get him into my car." She recognized the voice. It was the man named Gabriel. She shook Wraith, as he'd fallen asleep. "Wake up. We're here."

Gabriel opened the passenger door and unbuckled the seatbelt. Wraith's eyes squinted open. "Can you walk?" Gabriel asked him. He nodded.

"Thank you for bringing him. I'll take him from here," the handsome man said.

"We can't leave her." Wraith looked over at Pim.

"Wraith, you know I can't allow an outsider onto the property. She can't stay."

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