Marlen and I both spin to see three men in dark suits running toward us. I instantly recognize them as Jaroslav’s men.He must have traced my number! He must have sent his men out to follow me. How could I have been so stupid!
“No,” I gasp in horror, noting the weapons already drawn in their hands.They’ll shoot Marlen.
“Stef!” Marlen shouts, immediately moving to protect me.
He grabs my arm and tugs me behind his body. “Give me the keys,” he demands.
I shove my hand into my pocket to grab the car keys and push them into his hand. He pushes me toward the car on the driver’s side, not risking the extra time it would take to go around. He pulls the door open and practically throws me across the seat. Then, in a flash, he’s in behind me and starting the car.
The engine growls when he accelerates, wheel spinning out of the parking bay.
“It’s ok, you’re safe, you’re safe,” he tells me, as we race away from my brother’s security team. I glance behind us, anxiety making me dizzy with worry.
Chapter 21 - Marlen
With the attackers on foot, we managed to get away easily, and thank goodness they didn’t open fire in such a busy part of town, harming innocent bystanders.
I’m still driving too fast, though, worried they’ll catch up somehow. Easing my foot off the accelerator, I take a deep breath.
“Stef, are you ok? Are you hurt at all?” I ask, reaching across the car to place my hand on her thigh. She shakes her head, muttering a quiet, “no,” and I realize she must be in shock. This is the second attack she’s experienced with me. It must be the same group. Those men who shot at us and chased us before. I need to figure out who they are and put an end to this before something terrible happens to her.
I can’t face that. I can’t face losing her.
“I’ll get us home,” I reassure her, turning off the main street to take the back roads as an extra precaution. She doesn’t answer me, instead turning to look blankly out of the window. Her breathing is labored, her hands knotted in her lap.
My heart aches for her. I want to pull her into my arms and tell her she’s safe. I will, when we’re inside the mansion.
Then I’ll have my men start working full-time on figuring out who’s attacking us.
I don’t push her to open up to me; rather, I focus on the drive. But she’s so closed off that it’s really worrying me.She’s just processing. Give her space.
But when we’re home and safe in the mansion, and she’s still withdrawn and unusually pale, I start to really worry. She looks sick with the shock of it. Even though we got away easily,maybe it’s bringing back memories of the first attack that she didn’t deal with?
She’s sitting on the sofa with her legs curled up beneath her. I set a mug of tea down in front of her and sit next to her. She doesn’t look at me, but rather stares ahead blankly.
“Stef, talk to me. What are you thinking?” I ask, reaching out to her.
She winces when my hand touches her leg.
Shit. She’s really stressed.
“You’re safe now. No one can reach you here,” I reassure her.
“Marlen, I recognized those men,” she murmurs.
“You did?” I ask in shock.
She nods, finally looking into my eyes. Her eyes are deep brown, dark, and moody. She looks… she looks guilty. Why?
I must be reading her wrong.
“Stef?” I ask, pushing her to talk to me.
“They were Jaroslav’s men,” she whispers.
I reach out and grab her hand. “What? Did they spot you by mistake? Pure luck?” I stammer, confused. But the look in her eyes when she stares up at me tells a different story. It is guilt. Traced over her face in etched lines of worry.
“Stef, what did you do?” I ask, my voice growing dark as I pull my hand away from hers.
