"See what I mean," Axel laughed. "Completely insane."
Deepa felt tears sting her eyes, the anger and shame mixing together. She couldn't understand why she ever let this guy into her vagina.
"Axel," Ryan said calmly. "Don't you think that's going too far?"
"Yeah, Axel." Nastya’s mouth curled up into a sly smile. "Be nicer to your girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Axel snapped.
Deepa took a step back, her chest tight as she fought the urge to cry.
"Please," Axel said, coldly glaring straight at her. "Just get out."
Deepa stared at him, her chest tightening.
She turned and ran out of the dining room, eyes burning. She didn't care where she went. She just wanted to be as far away from him as possible.
The asphalt stung Deepa's bare feet as she made her way down the rural mountain road.
Fuck Axel and his stupid family. She was going straight to Infection Control to tell them all where he lived. Maybe they'd spare her life if she brought them the biggest haul of the year.
Deepa continued onwards, the sun blazing down on her back, sweat drenching her clothes.
Several cars zoomed past, but none of them bothered stopping for her.
It was a surprise when a gleaming Lexus pulled up beside her.
Axel's brother Ryan was sitting behind the wheel.
"Need a lift?" he asked casually.
"I'm fine," Deepa growled, trying not to give him the satisfaction of seeing how flustered she was. Even his voice resembled Parker's.
"I insist.” Ryan pushed open the door. "It's dangerous for a pretty girl to be walking alone in these parts."
"I'm good," Deepa muttered, continuing along the road as the car rolled forward beside her.
"Look, I'm sorry about the way Axel treated you, but we're not all dicks like him."
Deepa frowned, slowing her pace.
"I'm serious," Ryan said. "You'd be safer letting me give you a lift than wandering these roads on your own."
Deepa sighed, stopping and turning to him. "You're not going to leave me alone until I get in, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine," Deepa groaned, opening the passenger door and sliding onto the leather seat.
Ryan hit the accelerator and steered back onto the road.
"Where to?" he asked.
Deepa bit her lip. What were her options? Her home was gone and she had no cash or job prospects. It was either a homeless shelter or the streets.
"I dunno," she shrugged. "Anywhere I suppose."
"You don't have anywhere to go?"
