All Good Things(99)

Then the shivers kicked in. I knew I had to find my way to warmth or I would fall into hyperthermia. For the first time since leaving Jace's penthouse, I looked around. The buildings were tall and the streets stared back at me like a long, daunting maze. My heart constricted and my stomach dropped. I was lost. And, I was a mess.

"Miss?" A man's voice pulsed over the airwaves and I tensed. "Are you all right? Do you need a hospital?"

I couldn't respond. I couldn't even move.

The man stepped cautiously around me. He looked to be in his early fifties and his face was pinched with worry for me...a stranger on the street. There was hope for humanity yet...

"Can I help you? Is there somewhere you want to go?" He knelt on the ground, his bony knees pressed hard against the pavement as he struggled to lower himself to my height. I was appreciative of his gesture...even in my crazed state of mind. The man was trying to show me I was safe with him. He was willing to bring himself to my level to show me he was not going to hurt me, that I could trust him.

Tears streamed down my face. "Home."

He nodded, pushing himself back up to his feet. He held his hand down to me and I took it. For a man who appeared so brittle, he was strong and sturdy. He helped me to his car; a taxi, and my heart rushed.

"I don't-," My throat tightened and I stuttered. "I don't have money."

He looked hard down into my face. "I didn't ask you for money, young lady." I nodded, and cried harder at his unexpected kindness. He opened the door of the front seat and pushed me into the car. "You can't very well sit in the back. Your skin is near blue." He reached over my lap and blasted the heat. "Warm up your hands and feet or you'll surely catch your death."

I nodded, shoving my fingertips against the heat vent, desperate for warmth. Thunder cracked in the distance and I flinched. My rescuer slid into the seat next to me and turned to stare at me with hard...almost fatherly eyes. "Now, what happened to ya?"

I shrugged. How was I supposed to tell him any of this? How was I supposed to tell him I was in love with a powerful billionaire killer? How was I supposed to tell him, the man I loved with every fiber of my being, ached, to inflict pain upon the women he entered into a physical relationship with? I couldn't.

"I won't be taking you home to a man if this is what you look like leavin'." The old man's voice was hard and determined. Fiery.

"He's not there." I cried. "I want to go to my home."

"What's your address?" I told him my address through chattering teeth and he nodded. "You're a ways away from there, Darling. You got someone waiting for you at home?"

I shrugged. "I hope so."

He shook his head and pulled into traffic. "I'm going to tell you what I'd tell my own daughter." He announced and I cried harder. "You're a beautiful woman. You got the world at your fingertips and although I haven't seen it, I'm sure you got a smile to light the Heavens. You deserve a man who loves ya. Not a man who beats ya down. You hold your head high and you fight for what you want. Don't let nobody stand in your way, ya hear?"

I nodded and he continued. "You get yourself fixed up tonight. I'm a give you my card. If you ever find yourself in need of a ride...to anywhere...you call me, you here?"

I didn't reply.

"Did you here me?" He asked a little louder. I flinched and he shook his head.

"I did, Sir."

"Don't you, Sir, me." He grumbled. "I ain't your master, I'm a friend now. You call me when you're in need and I will come. I ain't asking for your money, either. Just want you safe."

"Thank you." I whispered. He plucked a card from the cup holder between us and held it out to me.

"Take it, girl."

I took the card between purple fingers and clutched it tight. In this moment, it was my only lifeline.

"What's your name, anyhow?"

"Olivia LeRoux." I replied meekly.

"Well, that's a strong name you got there." He stated. "And you have the potential to live up to that name."

"Thank you." I nodded.

"I'm Bill, by the way." He introduced as though just remembering himself.

"Hi Bill." I smiled, weakly and he nodded triumphantly.

"I knew it." He barreled and I frowned, flinching.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your smile," he nodded. "It rivals the Heavens."

I laughed, for the first time feeling warmed since Lexie's cold words.

***

I was frantic. Where the hell was she? The streets were void of any sign of Olivia, and I'd looked. Everywhere. Trisha was waiting at home and after spiting threats, she'd finally agreed to call me, if, and when, she arrived. I hoped Trisha stayed true to her word. If she didn't...I didn't know what I would do.