“Stop! Stop- wait,” I manage between numb lips, “let her go. Flora protected me. She doesn’t deserve this.”
Growling low in his throat, he lifts me into the back seat, pushing me over the seat so he can get in behind me.
“I’ll scream my lungs out, ya arsehole!” Flora’s struggling against Michael’s hold on her arm. “Let her go, ya fecking arseholes! Women beating pieces of shite!”
Passers-by are slowing down, watching the scene and Michael puts her on the seat facing us and slams the door.
“No! Let her go!” I can’t look at Ethan, the way you can’t look at an eclipse, like it’s beautiful and yet it will still blind you. “She doesn’t know anything, she’s a good person!”
“Ma’am, if ya try to punch me one more time I’m handcuffing ya.” Michael’s losing patience as Flora starts slapping at him, shouting insults.
The SUV pulls away from the curb.
“Look, I won’t do anything. I won’t run.” My face is burning hot, but I’m shaking, my skin chilly and my arms and legs don’t feel attached to my body. “Just please let her go.”
Ethan stares her down, his mouth tight. “Ya know who we are, then?”
Flora snorts. “An abusive piece of shite, aye?”
I wish I could bury my face in my hands, but I can’t move.
“MacTavish Clan,” Ethan says. “Ya cause a fuss and no one will believe ya. Mind your business and your girl stays at Uni, all safe and sound.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ!” Now, I can look at him. “You sick- really? You’re threatening her daughter?”
Flora’s gone pale and it makes me hate myself. I never should have gotten her involved. This is my fault.
“It took less than two minutes to find out all about Mrs. Flora MacAulay,” he says pleasantly. “Very noble of ya, ma’am. Thank you for keeping my girl safe and sound.”
“I was keepin’ her safe and sound from the likes of you!” Flora shouts.
“Please, Flora?” I lean forward, pushing the cash envelope into her hand. “It’s okay. I’ll figure this out. Please just take this and- and forget about me. Thank you for…” I shake my head, watching her eyes fill with tears. “For being my friend.”
She sucks in a deep breath between her teeth. “Aye, I know who ya entitled feckers are.” She glares at Ethan. “Promise me ya won’t hurt her. Your kind are supposed to not go after women. I’ve heard that much at least.”
He puts his hand to his chest. “I vow on my mother’s name that I will not hurt Sloan. I will keep her safe.”
You lying son of a bitch, I seethe helplessly. Flora’s looking at me with concern and I force a smile. “It’s okay,” I say, “he… won’t hurt me.”
Who’s the liar now?
“Please, just take the money. I will never be able to repay your kindness.” I can feel my last escape route slam shut as I wrap her fingers around the money. “Don’t say anything to anyone, okay? I’ll be fine.”
Michael nods at the driver and he pulls the SUV over. Flora wraps me in a fierce hug. “Ya can run with me,” she whispers, “we can run.”
I hug her back, tears dripping down my cheeks. “It’s too late. Please. Go take care of your girl. Use the money for her tuition orsomething. I promise you, he won’t hurt me,” I lie, the words like ashes in my mouth.
With a last look of dislike at Ethan, she reluctantly allows Michael to help her out of the car, I twist to watch her as we pull away.
Chapter Nineteen
In which Sloan must deal with an enraged Scotsman.
Ethan…
I dinna know ya could have a rage whiteout.
The fury pulsing inside me dims my vision with a white haze. I dinna know whether to shake the hell out of this little idiot or kiss her senseless. Sloan not only has an impressive talent for landing in trouble, she is also unburdened of any desire to do as she is told.
