Page 21 of Under Control

“Who he wants toseeyou?” Carrick repeated, catching onto the right words.

Realizing how deep she’d just gotten herself, Danica let out a low, frustrated breath. There was no hope trying to quell his questions now.

“Petrov has essentially promised me to the CEO of his business,” she squeaked finally through a pinched tone. “And this is his chance to…foist me into a marriage that he wants me to be in.”

“And you don’t want to marry the guy?” Carrick followed up quickly. “Obviously?”

Shaking her head, she seethed. “But that answer isn’t good enough for Petrov. He thinks he owns me. He thinks he controls me. And this marriage would be very advantageous for both men.”

Carrick let out a laugh, as if the whole situation were simple.

“This is a free country. You should tell him to fuck off, and file a police report,” he stated while his hands ran up and down the wheel, gripping and tensing, like he was ready to fight. “Or better yet—I can help you send a clear message.”

She looked over at him, her eyes wide and in shock that he would suggest that. Clearly, the man didn’t understand how her family operated.

“That won’t work.” She exhaled slowly. “He reminded me yesterday that I’m part of his family, whether I like it or not, and the only way out is…death.”

“Death?” Carrick’s eyes shot to her, seemingly incredulous.

She nodded, raising her eyebrows, “After my parents died, he told me that the only way I’d survive was if I obeyed him.”

Be obedient.

Be controlled.

The words of the threat flashed across her mind, sending searing pain through her gray matter.

“You have to do something. You can’t just sit back and take this bullshit,” Carrick growled low as he continued tensely gripping the wheel. “I can’t believe this.”

Carrick’s body flexed as the conversation continued, as though he was ready to fight then and there. Maybe she should just let him fight for her? It was the best chance she had. Her attention was again drawn to the bulky bandage on his forearm, and she shook away her original thought.I can’t get him hurt again.

“Forced marriage? That’s fucked up,” he continued. “You should be able to be with who you want.”

“I’ve actually never been with anyone,” she mumbled to herself, thinking the words were inaudible.

He whipped his head over to look at her again. His eyes were as big as saucers, in complete disbelief.He heard.Danica shrank in her seat, embarrassed as hell, and pulled her black denim mini skirt down a little.Why did I said that?The meaning was clear, and those same goosebumps ran up her spine again.

“You’re a virgin?” he followed up, his tone low.

She nodded shyly and couldn’t help but notice how he trained his eyes to her lips. Something in his gaze grew heavy. He was a man, just a man—and she couldn’t forget that.

A dew formed between her breasts, which were covered by a thin white tank top that barely concealed anything. She didn’t miss how much tighter he gripped the steering wheel, and how his foot had fallen harder on the gas. They were hurtling down the back roads of the arid, mountainous countryside, liable to fly off the side of a cliff at any time.

Yet, the only thing she was scared of in that moment was the way he was looking at her.

And the way she felt.

And what she wanted him to do about it all.

Embarrassed, feeling like a child in front of a big, bad man, she shook her head. She was doing a terrible job at keeping her cards close to her chest. She snapped her mouth closed. Now he knew too much about her.

Suddenly, Carrick slowed the pickup truck to a full stop on the side of the sandy road. There was finally a break in the mountainous range running through the interior of California, allowing passage to the next state. To the left, they could head toward Nevada—and wherever else she wanted to go.

But, to the right, a sign marked the winding way back down to LA.

“What’s it going to be, Dani?” Carrick finally asked, turning to her. “I’ll drive you to the next state over or I’ll drive you back to LA. Are you going to make a stand, fight for yourself—or are you going to keep running?”

Danica raised her hand to point toward Nevada, of course, but caught his gaze in the process. His intense dark blue eyes drilled into her, and she felt winded.

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