Page 47 of Heresy

Climbing in, I buckle my seatbelt in place then check my mirrors. Everything is as it should be since I’m the only person who drives the car, but it’s one of Dad’s rules, and I’m fastidious in keeping them.

In my household, safety is the number one concern.

Satisfied that everything is in place, I jam my key in the ignition and turn it.

Except … nothing happens.

Not a click.

Not a buzz.

The lights come on but nothing else.

The engine does nothing.

My brows tug together in confusion, and I try the key again a few more times.

Still nothing.

Oh, for fuck’s sake...

This is the last thing I need tonight.

Throwing my door open, I hop out of the car and round the front end. It takes a minute for me to find the latch, but after popping that, I lift the hood to take a look at the engine.

Nothing appears out of place, so I begin checking wires and hoses, hopeful that something came loose and I won’t be searching for a new battery or worse, a new part, tonight.

Dad taught me a few things about cars, enough to get myself up and running should anything standard go wrong, but my battery isn’t completely dead, and the engine doesn’t smell like burning oil or melted rubber. All the wires and hoses appear to be in the correct places.

I don’t understand.

Cursing under my breath, I slam the hood back down.

What the fuck am I going to do now?

I have the money for a jump service if necessary. Even a tow truck if it’s a serious problem, but that will wipe out all the extra money Dad puts in my account for monthly bills.

Maybe if I call him and explain the situation, he’ll take care of whatever expense is needed to fix this.

“You okay? Looks like you could use some help.”

I turn at the deep voice, expecting to see Patrick since he’s always outside watching the parking lot, but my attempted smile drops into a deep scowl the instant I lock eyes withhim.

The Jackass.

Of all the nights for this bastard to show up, it would be tonight when I have no hope for a quick escape.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

I roll my shoulders back and cross my arms over my chest.

He steps closer, his charming smile plastered in place. I can’t deny he’s gorgeous, but it takes more than physical appearance to be a beautiful person, and from what I’ve seen peek out from beneath those blue eyes, he’s as ugly a person as they come.

“You look like you’re having car problems?”

Oh, really?

No, I just had the hood up for shits and giggles.

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