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I fold my arms around my middle and avoid looking at him as I try to figure out a plan to save myself.

That’s even if I can.

Chapter 15

Annie

I sit with my body pressed hard into the door, my arms wrapped tightly around myself.

It’s been a while since we left Portland. All I know is we seem to be heading south. Rowan never goes over the speed limit and constantly scans our surroundings.

My mind races, replaying everything that’s happened today like it’s some horror movie.

I was happy. I felt like I finally had a chance with Owen. I would get to go on dates with him. We’d learn everything about each other. We’d share romantic moments, and kisses would lead to our first time together. It would be perfect. We’d move in together and slowly build a beautiful future.

That’s what I was dreaming about right before Owen vanished and Rowan gruesomely murdered four men and took me against my will.

The man I fell in love with doesn’t exist, and now I’m stuck in a car with someone who’s somehow connected to the Russian mafia.

If it’s anything like the movies I’ve seen, then the chances of me getting out of this alive are slim to none.

Intense fear keeps crashing over me in waves, and I can’t come up with any ideas to save myself. Unable to keep it together any longer, a sob bursts from me. As the tears come hot and fast, I take off my glasses, and pulling my knees up to my chest, I rest my head against them, my arms locking around my shins.

“It’s going to be okay,” Rowan murmurs, his tone calm and even gentle.

“You k-killed people,” I whimper. “You k-kidnapped me.”

He doesn’t say anything in his defense or that he’ll let me go.

Hysterics build in my chest, and the next instant, I lose my mind from all the stress and fear. Grabbing his arm, I start to yank at it, thinking I can get him to either stop or maybe crash the car.

My lips feel numb as my choppy breaths rush way too fast over them.

“Stop,” Rowan orders, and the next moment, he pins me back against the seat with one arm braced across my chest.

I try to move his arm, but he’s freakishly strong, so instead, I start slapping him while screaming hysterically, “Let me go!”

The car jerks to the side, and the tires screech as Rowan slams on the brakes.

As soon as the car stops, he leans over, and I’m yanked against his chest. He holds me tightly while I lose control, and I have no idea how long I scream and cry before I run out of steam.

With my glasses off, he smells and feels familiar, and in a moment of weakness and in desperate need of comfort, I wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him. “I’m so scared.”

“I know.” He presses a kiss to the side of my neck. “I promise I won’t hurt you, Annie. I just want to keep you safe. I get it’s a lot for you to deal with, but I need you to stay calm so we can keep moving.”

I try my luck again and ask, “Who are you?”

“I’m a retired assassin for the Bratva. I was in witness protection.”

A weird feeling slowly settles over me. Something between eerily calm and checking out of reality.

As if I’m on autopilot, I pull away from him, and sitting back in my seat, I wipe my cheeks dry with the backs of my hands before putting on my glasses.

Assassin, a.k.a. a professional killer. Someone who murders people for money.

I was wrong. He’s not broken. He’s dead inside.

Rowan reaches over me and puts on my seat belt. Not pulling away immediately, he places his right hand behind my head and kisses my temple. “You’re safe with me.”