Page 8 of Return to Me Always

"Some bastard is chasing you! He's right behind you!"

He flung open the passenger door, and I decided to jump in. With another screeching sound, he took off.

"Buckle up. Now," he ordered.

"You don't have to be so rude," I managed to say between panting breaths.

"Just do it, lass. Please," he added, his tone softer.

His 'please' helped persuade me, and I put on my seatbelt as the distance between us and Malcolm grew.

"You all right then?" he asked as I sat there stunned, trying to get some oxygen into my poor lungs.

I nodded, still unable to speak.

"Want me to take you to the police?"

"No." Malcolmwasthe police, wasn't he? God, what should I do? I really needed to think—once I calmed down and stopped feeling so sick. "Just my hotel."

"I don't think that's such a brilliant idea," he said, his voice deep and low, sending shivers through me.

And I realized I really didn't know this guy either. My heart felt like it was going to explode. I couldn't get enough air.

"What? Are you serious? Why not?" I gasped.

He didn't say anything, just slowed down for a stoplight on a quiet street. Ihadto get out of this car. I reached for my seatbelt with one hand, the door handle with the other, and jumped out.

"What're you doing?" he shouted from the window.

"Would you stop yelling at me?"

This night was turning into a nightmare! And I couldn't handle it. I started to walk down the sidewalk, but he parked the car halfway up on the curb and jogged over to me.

"Please stop," he said.

I stopped but only because my legs were shaking and I wasn't sure I could walk much farther.

"Sorry for yelling at you," he said, running a hand through his hair.

I didn't say anything. To be honest, I was holding back tears. What was it about this guy that made me cry?

"Look, I really am sorry," he said, his voice softer. "Obviously, you've had a rough night."

"Yeah, I'd say so." The worst night I'd ever had.

"What happened?" he asked, his forehead creased with concern.

What happened?What actually did happen? My wobbly legs felt like they were going to give out and tumble me to the sidewalk. I took several slow breaths in an attempt to calm myself.

"I hate to hurry you," the guy said, "but the prick that was chasing you is probably still out there looking for you."

A new shot of adrenaline pumped through me at that thought. "You really think so?"

"I do think so. Aye."

Feeling suddenly weak, I said, "I need to sit down."

He led me back to the car, opened the passenger door for me again, and then quietly shut it behind me. Once he was back in his seat, I asked him, "You really think I can't go back to my hotel?"

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