Safe Word Read Free

ordeal.
    I kept my grip on her hand as I pulled her from the room. I gathered her purse from the kitchen counter and pushed it against her chest as we moved toward the window leading to the fire escape.
    “I’ve already taken your identification. Holly Lauren from three seventy-six White Hall Road.” I listened to her breath catch before turning to her and releasing her hand. I gripped her hips and guided her out of the window. She sucked in air out of fear as she backed her body against mine. “I won’t let you fall. Trust me.” Her lips curled in absolute disgust at my words and I fought not to roll my eyes. I reached out and gripped her wrist, sidestepping her and making my way down the old metal steps.
    “I won’t tell anyone…” Her voice cracked under her words. I knew she was telling the truth. She would do anything not to be on my radar again. It wasn’t me she had to worry about. My phone vibrated in my jeans pocket. I pulled it out and answered the call as we stepped down into the alley.
    “Yeah,” I answered as I scanned the road for anyone watching before making my way to the parking structure at the end of the block.
    “Hey…” There was a long pause and I actually stopped walking for a second as I tried to place the voice. Lily.
    “I know this is stupid for me to call you so soon. I just…It was really good seeing you.” Lily was nervous, and I could picture her skin flushing crimson as she spoke.
    “Remind me where we met before?” I asked as I stepped into the safety of the parking garage, tugging Holly behind me as she whimpered quietly to herself.
    “I thought we could do that over dinner or drinks or something.”
    I couldn’t help but smirk. When we reached my old midnight-black Barracuda, I circled around to the passenger side and pulled the door open, helping Holly inside before closing her door behind her. I ran my hand over the roof, appreciating the beauty of the vehicle.
    “This isn’t the best time, Lily.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I rounded the back of the car and stood outside of the driver’s-side door.
    “Right. God. I must look like an idiot. You’re probably seeing someone.”
    “No. It’s not that. I’m glad you called.” I pulled open the car door and slipped inside. My eyes fell on Holly. I held a finger up to my lips to warn her to keep her fucking mouth shut before pushing the keys into the ignition. “Can I call you back in a little bit? I have somewhere I need to be.” I didn’t want to blow her off. I was intrigued.
    “Okay. Yeah. That sounds great. Talk to you then.”
    “Count on it.” I clicked End and threw the car in reverse. Holly was huddled against the door in a daze, looking like a frightened animal.
    “Put on your fucking seatbelt,” I barked. I reached over her and grabbed her belt, pulling it over her lap. She took it from my hands and fumbled with it for several seconds before clicking it into place. The drugs were definitely kicking in and would help to keep her safe at the handoff.
    “Things are going to get a little tense before this is all over. You do what you’re told and you will walk away with nothing but a few nightmares, ya feel me?” I glanced at her as she nodded in understanding, but I knew she wouldn’t remember any of this. My eyes drifted to the rearview mirror as a dark sedan pulled out behind me. Like clockwork. I stepped on the gas and made my way easily through traffic as I headed toward the old tire factory on the other side of town. I turned the volume up on the radio and tapped my fingers in beat to the old rock song on the radio. I knew I should say something to Holly, help calm her nerves, but she wouldn’t listen to me anyway. I was the guy who would be center stage in her bad dreams for the next few years.
    It amused me that this very girl had looked at me in the same way Lily had. I was a fool to think things with her would end any differently. My eyes flicked to the rearview mirror and back to