He puts my phone in his pants pocket, reaches down, and takes my jacket.The weight of the gun makes his eyebrows shoot up."What the hell do we have here?Are you packing?"He pulls my gun out then points it at me.
Instinctively, I back up until I'm pressed against the wall.
"Better than this knife!"He looks at it, then drops it on the floor and pushes it with his foot away from me.Then he waves the gun around, enjoying the power he now has.
My heart stops beating, and I struggle to keep my breath.My voice quivers when I say."You'll need me to get into the house.It's secure."
"I know that bitch.Rich people protect their shit.Sit down, over there in the corner."
I slide along the wall until I reach it, then down to sit on my feet.I hug my legs to me and drop my face to rest on my knees.Aurei fills my mind.I see his golden halo of hair moving gently as he talks.His handsome face and his bright smile.The crinkle at the corners of his eyes when he is happy.His arms around me and how safe I feel in them.And how bad, I've fucked up.
The doors open, and he says."Stand up.You're driving me home."He laughs.
I lift my head to discover he has taken the hoodie off and is wearing an air conditioning repairman shirt.He tosses the hoodie to me and says."Turn it inside out and put it on.Cover all that hair with the hood."
I stand up and do as I'm told.The fear of being killed overrides any instinct to disobey.I turn it inside out.It's bright red.I slip it over my head and pull the hood on.I look at him, and he has donned a ball cap with the AC repairman logo on it.
"Good.Now you're going to walk to your car, and we're going to take a nice drive out to the house at the golf course."
The spit in my mouth is dry, and my stomach is nauseous as I walk out and do as he says.At my car, we split up.The thought of running briefly floats across my mind as I round the trunk, but when I walk to my door, I see the gun is trained on me, and his hand is steady.I swallow every ounce of independence, open my door and get in the driver's seat.He sits next to me and turns the street map on.The voice tells us the directions."Follow them."
I put my car in reverse and leave Lioness Towers.
I enter the route as the GPS instructs.It takes us into traffic, and the going is slow.I do not try to maneuver but simply maintain the lane I'm in and travel the speed limit, letting my mind calm down.
What are my choices when I get home?Think Siri.Think!I have no idea if Aurei, or when Aurei, will discover I'm not where I should be.It could be hours before he knows.It's up to me to get myself out of this fucked up situation alive.I can do this.I can take this dude down.I just have to think!Then it hits me.Alfred!Alfred sees all and hears all.I can use that.
The AC repairman wipes the sweat off his face.I cut my eyes at him, and he's the color of fish, pale and clammy.
"What's your addiction?"I ask.
"Shut up."
I glance at him and make eye contact."I might have what you need at home.I can get you a fix first."
His pupils are dilated.
"Shut up."
I look back at the road.I am a quiet kitten.The thought relaxes me further.He may have my gun, but Aurei has an arsenal in the indoor range.
The car in front of me slows down and makes a right-hand turn into a business.I hit the brakes and check my rear-view mirror.My heart nearly jumps out of my chest, and I have to fight the breath that wants to flood it.Aurei!My Golden God!My hero!He's found me.Everything is going to be alright.I tap my brakes three times gently, just so the lights flash.He gives me a quick smile and a thumbs up that he knows I know he's there.Then he puts his phone to his ear and calls me.
"Truly" blasts us.The dude jumps and pulls it out of his pocket.Aurei is calling to FaceTime with me.Bold move!I smirk.
"I need to answer this," I state."He's my master.I'm his slave.Those are the rules.Sit the phone right there.He won't be able to see you."
He looks unsure what to do.He scratches his forearm—heroin addict.
"Dude, answer this, and I'll give you all the heroin I have in the house.If you don't answer this, he'll come home to smack me around and fuck it all up.You have nothing to lose."
He sets the phone down, and I answer it."Hey, Babe!"
"Hey, Beautiful, did you enjoy your visit with Cat?"
I have to swallow hard not to get emotional seeing him.The love and concern in his eyes belie the calmness in his voice.I remember his conversation with Steve when he learned Ruth had tried to run over Gaby, and she had threatened me.Dark and dangerous.Ferocious and fierce.I know his hands are clenched around the steering wheel, and his knuckles are white with his power.
I do my best to sound calm and in control, but there is still a slight tremor to my voice."Yes.It was so good to see her."
