Page 89 of Possess

“Liar.” Allyson shook her head. Her hair was a mess, but her clothing looked intact. Good thing or Zeke might have really lost his temper.

“Dani, get Allyson to the truck.” Zeke, holding the man down with one arm, fought to keep his anger under control as he dug out his keys and tossed them to Dani.

Dani went to Allyson’s side. “It’s okay, Allyson. We’re here. Let me get you to Zeke’s vehicle.”

“I fucking messed up. I’m so sorry.” The anguish in Allyson’s voice as they walked off tore at Zeke’s heart. He kept the guy in his hold until Dani and Allyson were out of sight.

“Isn’t one chick enough for you?” the man sneered.

“Shut the fuck up.” Zeke pushed the guy away. “Be grateful she’s unharmed.” With that, he jogged away from the ass and to the truck.

“Where’s your truck?” Zeke asked Allyson, his tone harsher than normal.

“At the train station at home.” Allyson’s voice was quiet.

“How the hell did you get here?”

“Ride share from the train station.” She shivered in Dani’s hold. Zeke took his keys from Dani and helped both women into his truck.

He grabbed a blanket he kept in the back and handed it to Dani. “Put this over Allyson. She’s going into shock.” As much as he wanted to be the one to comfort her, he needed to get them out of here. Plus the anger and hurt flowing through him needed to dissipate before he thought about discussing what had happened.

“I’m so sorry. That ass wouldn’t listen.” Her words were quiet.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now,” Zeke said, running his fingers over her cheek. “You’ll always be safe with me.”

He drew in deep breath and shut the passenger door. He wanted to punch something, preferably the ass that scared Allyson. He climbed into the truck and started it.

“I…” Tears ran down Allyson cheeks.

“Fuck.” Zeke hit the steering wheel. He turned to her. “Allyson, sweetheart.” Zeke placed his arm over the back of the seat. “Don’t cry. You’re safe. Dani and I are not going to let anyone hurt you.”

She blinked at him. Almost like she wasn’t seeing him. Zeke’s gut clenched to the point of pain.

“I’ve got her,” Dani said. “Drive.”

Dani was right; they needed to get out of there, but Zeke felt useless, and it wasn’t a feeling he liked at all. He wanted to grab Allyson and hold her close. As he drove, Dani spoke softly to Allyson. He couldn’t make out the words, but her tone was soothing.

“I think she fell asleep,” Dani said softly when they were ten miles from Pleasant Valley.

“Good.” They hadn’t gotten much sleep last night; she’d been worried about breakfast with his parents.

“If you’ll take us to my apartment, she can stay with me tonight.”

“I’m not leaving her, tonight or ever,” Zeke said, dropping into his Dom voice to cut to the chase with Dani. He couldn’t leave Allyson any more than he could cut out his own heart. He needed to be there if she needed him, if only for tonight. His emotions were all over the place. Guilt sat low in his belly, along with confusion about why she ran, relief that she was unharmed, and frustration that he was failing her and didn’t have a fucking clue how.

“I get it, but please, Sir, can we go to my apartment? Not saying your place would be scary for her, but if she happens to wake, she’ll be more comfortable at my apartment.”

“All right. You’ll have to give me directions.” Dani was right, even if he didn’t agree. He wanted Allyson at his home in his bed.

Within twenty minutes, he pulled into a parking spot in Dani’s apartment complex. Allyson was still asleep. Zeke picked her up and carried her inside. Her cheeks were two bright red splotches on an otherwise pale face.

His gut tightened. What if they hadn’t gone to breakfast with his family today? He should have warned his family about personal questions, especially his sister. What if he hadn’t found her in time outside that party? Zeke tightened his hold on Allyson, and she moaned in her sleep.

Dani opened her apartment door. Lights flared.

“Motion sensors,” Dani said. “Guest bedroom is this way.”

Zeke followed Dani. The bedroom was small but held a nice double bed and a dresser with a small TV on top of it. He laid Allyson on the floral sheets after Dani pulled back the covers.

---