I slip in and take the seat across from her. She’s got her back to the driver, her eyes glued to the screen.
The door slams shut.
Silence falls. The windows are tinted so black I can’t see out of them. I don’t know what the stranger’s doing, and a part of me realizes I really don’t want to find out.
“My name’s Allie. Thank you so much for that. Thomas isn’t usually so bad, but he just?—”
“I don’t care.” She stares at me, eyebrows raised. “Truly, I don’t.”
That takes me aback. “But you helped me. I mean, Thomas was going to hurt me?—”
“And that’s not slightly my problem. Find better friends.” She looks at her phone again.
“Why did you help me then?”
“Because Mass has been such a pain in my ass lately and could use a good distraction for a night.” Her lips press together in concentration. “You happen to be his type.”
Fear strikes my guts. I don’t even know what to say. That idea’s insane, like I’m being pimped out to that guy without even knowing it.
But before I can argue, the door opens. Mass gets in and sits beside me. There’s a red stain on the sleeve of his jacket and he’s wiping something off his knuckles.
I catch a glimpse of a body lying on the sidewalk before he slams the door.
Fear grips my stomach. That’s blood on his knuckles. And that was definitely Thomas, possibly beaten to death in the twenty seconds I’ve been in this car.
Who the hell is this monster?
“Did you kill him?” the woman asks casually.
“No, but he’s missing some teeth.”
“Too bad.”
“If I had more time, I would’ve been more thorough.” He tucks the handkerchief back into his jacket. His knee brushes mine and a shiver fills my stomach. He doesn’t look at me, but I can’t stop staring at him.
He’s beautiful. The powerful energy rolling off him is overwhelming. The scent of spicy cologne and powerful, masculine musk is an assault on my senses.
I know men like him. I grew up in a family filled with violence and greed. I’ve been surrounded by the New York underground since I was old enough to walk. But this stranger is something else entirely. I’ve been messing around with housecats, and he’s a lion on steroids.
“I think if you take that girl home, she’ll fuck you senseless. I would if I were in her shoes.”
“Sounds messy and complicated. I’d also miss my flight.”
“Mass, you could use a release. Honestly, you’ve been so uptight lately. Worse than usual.”
“I don’t know how I haven’t killed you yet.”
“You appreciate my candor and my efficiency. Spend the night in your Manhattan apartment. Take some of your frustrations out on this very pretty girl. Then we’ll fly home in the morning.”
“She is pretty.”
“I’d fuck her if she were into me, but you’re definitely more her type.”
“How can you tell?”
“It’s the way she’s staring at you.”
The car starts driving, and I finally find the courage to speak. “I’m right here!” I say, but my voice comes out shrill and horrified. “I mean, I never said I’d, you know, go home and—” My cheeks turn bright red.
