Nowhere to Run (Stephanie Carovella) Read Free Page B

head.”
    Carolyn laughed softly. “Well then, we can’t have that now, can we?” She teased softly, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
    Relief evident on his face, he indicated for her to follow him.
    “Take me to the car,” Carolyn commanded, friendliness giving way to professionalism. She’d seen the admiring glance he’d given her and it wouldn’t do her career any good to fraternize with the hired help.
    The Chauffeur nodded, leading her towards the darkened underground car park, his eyes scanning the area. Carolyn frowned, noticing for the first time how deserted the car park was. She shivered, memories of another isolated car park rippled through her.
    Shutting them out of her mind, she fought her inner terror and took a deep breath. She closed her mind to the thought of that, almost fateful, night and followed the Chauffeur to the Limousine.
    “Here we go, all safe and sound,” the Chauffeur said warmly, stopping to put her bags in the trunk. He unlocked the door, and opened it for her.
    Carolyn slipped quickly into the car. She sank into the backseat with relief, taking a ragged breath. Now she was in the car she felt safer, and would feel even better once they were out of this isolated car park.
    He wasn’t here. He couldn’t attack her. He couldn’t hurt her anymore. She wouldn’t let anything or anyone hurt her again. Yes, things would be better for her this time. She wasn’t going to be scared away so easily.
    “Comfortable?” the Chauffeur asked from the front seat, turning to smile at her. She nodded, quickly pressing a button to slide up the panel between them.
    The Chauffeur’s voice intercepted her thoughts through the intercom. “Why don’t you sit back and close your eyes, Ms Mathers? It must have been a long flight for you, and there are refreshments if you feel like something.”
    Carolyn smiled in pleasure. Now this was more like it. She’d forgotten how the studios pampered their stars every whim. She felt like the star she was already. She giggled softly. It wasn’t going to take long for her to get used to the high life again.
    Spotting her favorite brand of water she picked it up, giddy with delight. Callendor had, certainly, outdone their selves this time. Unscrewing the cap of the Evianbottle, she drank thirstily. It had been a long trip, and she could already feel the effects of jet lag taking hold of her.
    Yawning, she sank deeper into the backseat. Closing her eyes, she let darkness overcome her.
     
    ***
     
    He slid down the panel separating Carolyn Mathers from him. He smiled at the sight of her unconscious body, whistling softly to himself. Had his little princess really thought she could just slip back into the country without his knowing? He knew everything.
    Although she had come back to him, she still needed to pay. But, first he was going to keep her around for a while. He’d really missed her, and was going to show her just how much.
     

 
    Chapter Three
     
    Stephanie gently reached out to touch a photo of Angeline, Ben, Jesse, Dominic, and herself. She dropped her hand quickly, almost as if the picture had burnt her, hot tears blurring her vision.
    A hand touched her shoulder and she promptly wiped away her tears, not wanting Jesse to see she’d been crying.
    “Coffee...still one of your biggest weaknesses I bet,” Jesse murmured, handing her a mug.
    “And, you’re still the only man I know who can make real coffee,” she said, clasping it gratefully.
    She watched him reach behind her to pick up the photo. Smiling sadly, she quietly asked, “Do you remember the night this was taken?”
    Jesse nodded silently. When he spoke, his voice was gritty with emotion. “You had just discovered you were pregnant and Dominic was so proud; I’d never seen two people so in love. Ben had just signed his first record deal and was on a perpetual high. Angel was in love for the millionth time and my own career was on the rise.”
    With a bittersweet smile, he