Except losing the freedom to choose.
A nondescript sedan slid to a smooth stop at the curb. “Do yourself a favor, Roxie.” Charlie’s smooth tone brooked no dissent, and he reached out and lightly grasped her forearm. “Stay alive. If you’re dead, you’re not free.”
Before she could resist, he had opened the car’s back door and pushed her inside. He did have a point. Death robbed her of freedom. Reluctantly, she slid across the seat to make room for Charlie. His door had barely closed with a sharp snap before the driver stepped on the gas and raced away from the diner.
* * * *
Charlie noted Roxie hadn’t fully slid across the seat. His heart hammered hard at the thought that Rowter was still after Roxie. He sighed with frustration. In the back seat, his jean clad thigh rubbed against her dress. They were in hot contact with each other, which left his body raging for more of her. However, he had to handle her carefully since he didn’t know her full story. Perhaps there was a reason freedom was such an issue with her, where it wouldn’t have been with someone else.
“How could Rowter be on the move so quickly?” she whispered, backhanding her forehead.
Charlie was happy to answer. “There’s a product, a wipe, on the market that will strip Pepper Spray from the skin and neutralize the burning in the eyes. I bet he was carrying that for an emergency.”
“I didn’t know that.” Roxie rubbed her throat delicately.
“You wouldn’t have to unless you were in law enforcement or a criminal.”
“Yesterday, when I was crossing the street, was the driver in the semi Rowter?” She swallowed hard, possibly remembering her close encounter with the eighteen-wheeler.
“No, I don’t believe so. He was driving far too quickly, and I think he was trying to miss you.” Changing the subject and hoping she’d reply, he asked tenderly, “Did you father hurt you?”
I certainly understand if you’re angry with me. I would be too if a guy came along, told me someone was trying to kill me and wouldn’t let me fight.
She faced away from him, watching downtown L.A. slip into the distance as the driver, Hector Torres, whom Kyle informed him could be trusted to the death, drove. In front of the vehicle, the roadway became a mirage in the deadly heat.
Roxie shook her head in response.
Charlie persisted. “What did he do to you that you’ve squirreled yourself away?”
She swept back a stray lock of hair from her ear before she faced him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Sunlight caught her in its cruel glare as the car traveled in the shadow of an overpass. Her lips trembled.
Roxie appeared so forlorn. Did he dare take her in his arms and comfort her the best he could?
“You’re distraught,” he said softly, over the hum of the car’s engine. “It’s been quite a day already with all that’s gone on.” He didn’t want to remind her of the truck heading toward them and Rowter’s intent of killing them. The memory was enough to frighten anyone, let alone a sensitive woman like Roxie.
Despite himself, he took her into his arms and was surprised when she didn’t battle him but sank her head against his left shoulder.
“He didn’t hurt me physically, but I always felt restricted. There were always bodyguards around, watching my every move and reporting back to him. On my own, I can do anything I want.” She ended on a small laugh, then without raising her head, she whispered, “Where are we going? You owe me that much.”
He suppressed a sigh. “Oxnard, up the coast. Rowter won’t find you there, and the cops will have a chance to find him while I keep you safe.”
She laughed softly. “That’s the story of my life. Letting someone else do the work.”
Her small hand edged down the ridge of his spine with a feather caress, which sent a spark into his groin. It reignited the raging fire he’d tried to quell since he’d heard Rowter was on the loose again. Her fingers erotically
A nondescript sedan slid to a smooth stop at the curb. “Do yourself a favor, Roxie.” Charlie’s smooth tone brooked no dissent, and he reached out and lightly grasped her forearm. “Stay alive. If you’re dead, you’re not free.”
Before she could resist, he had opened the car’s back door and pushed her inside. He did have a point. Death robbed her of freedom. Reluctantly, she slid across the seat to make room for Charlie. His door had barely closed with a sharp snap before the driver stepped on the gas and raced away from the diner.
* * * *
Charlie noted Roxie hadn’t fully slid across the seat. His heart hammered hard at the thought that Rowter was still after Roxie. He sighed with frustration. In the back seat, his jean clad thigh rubbed against her dress. They were in hot contact with each other, which left his body raging for more of her. However, he had to handle her carefully since he didn’t know her full story. Perhaps there was a reason freedom was such an issue with her, where it wouldn’t have been with someone else.
“How could Rowter be on the move so quickly?” she whispered, backhanding her forehead.
Charlie was happy to answer. “There’s a product, a wipe, on the market that will strip Pepper Spray from the skin and neutralize the burning in the eyes. I bet he was carrying that for an emergency.”
“I didn’t know that.” Roxie rubbed her throat delicately.
“You wouldn’t have to unless you were in law enforcement or a criminal.”
“Yesterday, when I was crossing the street, was the driver in the semi Rowter?” She swallowed hard, possibly remembering her close encounter with the eighteen-wheeler.
“No, I don’t believe so. He was driving far too quickly, and I think he was trying to miss you.” Changing the subject and hoping she’d reply, he asked tenderly, “Did you father hurt you?”
I certainly understand if you’re angry with me. I would be too if a guy came along, told me someone was trying to kill me and wouldn’t let me fight.
She faced away from him, watching downtown L.A. slip into the distance as the driver, Hector Torres, whom Kyle informed him could be trusted to the death, drove. In front of the vehicle, the roadway became a mirage in the deadly heat.
Roxie shook her head in response.
Charlie persisted. “What did he do to you that you’ve squirreled yourself away?”
She swept back a stray lock of hair from her ear before she faced him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Sunlight caught her in its cruel glare as the car traveled in the shadow of an overpass. Her lips trembled.
Roxie appeared so forlorn. Did he dare take her in his arms and comfort her the best he could?
“You’re distraught,” he said softly, over the hum of the car’s engine. “It’s been quite a day already with all that’s gone on.” He didn’t want to remind her of the truck heading toward them and Rowter’s intent of killing them. The memory was enough to frighten anyone, let alone a sensitive woman like Roxie.
Despite himself, he took her into his arms and was surprised when she didn’t battle him but sank her head against his left shoulder.
“He didn’t hurt me physically, but I always felt restricted. There were always bodyguards around, watching my every move and reporting back to him. On my own, I can do anything I want.” She ended on a small laugh, then without raising her head, she whispered, “Where are we going? You owe me that much.”
He suppressed a sigh. “Oxnard, up the coast. Rowter won’t find you there, and the cops will have a chance to find him while I keep you safe.”
She laughed softly. “That’s the story of my life. Letting someone else do the work.”
Her small hand edged down the ridge of his spine with a feather caress, which sent a spark into his groin. It reignited the raging fire he’d tried to quell since he’d heard Rowter was on the loose again. Her fingers erotically
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