Safe. I wasn’t sure what that even meant.
“The B&B is close. I can drive you—”
“No.” I couldn’t go there like this. Raleigh couldn’t see me this way. She would think I was some unstable person in her home. I couldn’t.
The night air seemed to seep right through me as I stood there, trembling.
Graham exhaled slowly through his nose. A muscle in his jaw flexed. “I think you’re in shock.” He slid off his jacket as he said it. He had nothing on but his thin button-down underneath.
“Can I put this on you?” He held the coat out.
I glanced between the coat and his face. He patiently waited until I nodded. I was so cold.
He looked relieved as he draped the jacket over my shoulders, careful not to touch me, and wrapped me in warmth. The scent of old paper and amber and spice enveloped me. I loosed a long breath.
“Where can I take you?” Graham asked.
I hesitated. “I don’t know.”
“Your lip is bleeding,” he murmured.
He was so close to me now. He was offering me something, a white handkerchief.
“I want to make sure you’re okay, physically. I can bring you to the hospital—”
I shook my head.
He pressed the thin cloth into my palm, speaking before I could verbalize, like he had anticipated it. “Or I can bring you to my house. I don’t live far. I have a friend who’s an MD. She can come see you there.”
I stared at him, uncomprehending. Reflexively, I brought the handkerchief to my throbbing lip. It came back red with blood. I couldn’t go to his house. I didn’t need a doctor.
“I’m fine.” The words sounded dead on my lips. “I’ll be okay by myself.”
Graham winced, though I wasn’t sure why. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I can’t leave you alone. You can either come with me, or I’ll have to call someone…most likely the police.”
“Please,” I begged.
“I will not leave you alone.” His words were pointed. Final.
I clenched my jaw. My lips quivered. I wished he wasn’t here. I could do this by myself. I was fine.
If he hadn’t been here, maybe the attacker wouldn’t have run away.
The unwanted thought struck me. I stared at Graham, wanting to run away too.
Eventually, I nodded, relenting. As much as I didn’t want anyone seeing me this weak, I should be thankful. This could’ve been worse.
“Okay,” I rasped. “I’ll go with you.”
9
Quinn
Graham’sneighborhoodsurprisedme.The houses were tidy and well-kept, arranged in a quiet cul-de-sac lined with maples and soft pools of lamplight. His vehicle slowed and pulled into a driveway at the end of the curve. I blinked up at a single-story house with stone trim and a wide porch.
I didn’t know what I’d expected, but this wasn’t it. The street felt…safe. Cul-de-sacs screamed family, and Graham Ramsey didn’t seem like the cul-de-sac type.
As far as I knew, he lived alone.
