Adrianna knew there was nothing for her in Fairview, and knew she had always planned on leaving with no set destination in mind. There wasn’t anything tying her down, and many things that pushed her to follow through with what she truly wanted to do. Staring at Malice, she really didn’t need to let his offer sink in. Going with him, getting a job that she could actually put herself into, work hard and make something for herself sounded very nice. But of course on the heels of that positive thought were the negative one—the wary ones—that pointed out all of the bad things that could happen. She wanted to leave, but was scared of what was out there, and especially since all of this other stuff had happened. She felt like she was walking on a tightrope and was seconds away from falling to her death. “I want to so badly, but I’m scared.” Those words came from her on a whisper.
“Anyone in your situation would be scared, Adrianna. Hell, there are women out in the main room that are in tears, so what you’re feeling is totally understandable.”
She nodded and kept her gaze with his. “I am so glad no one was hurt, well, aside from Phillip, but I hate to say he deserved what he got.”
“I hope you’re not scared of me.” He said it almost like an afterthought, or at least that’s what it sounded like.
“I am not scared of you.” Her throat felt so dry and almost like it was closing in on itself. “I’m just scared of what the next day holds, and what will happen in Colorado.”
He didn’t say anything for several seconds, but he also didn’t look away from her. “I can understand your hesitancy, and although you don’t really know me, I am glad that you feel safe with me.” He ran his palms up and down his thighs, and she couldn’t help but watch the way his biceps and forearms flexed. “If I had to do all of this over again, I would, Adrianna, in a fucking heartbeat.”
She felt her pulse race at his words. There was so much heart and determination in them that she didn’t doubt the sincerity of what he said. “I can never thank you enough.” They stayed silent. It could be dangerous leaving with him, but honestly it couldn’t be much worse than what she had lived with. Look at how things had played out in the last twenty-four hours. She hadn’t realized she was looking at her feet until she lifted her gaze and stared at Malice again. He seemed to be the master at not showing his emotions or what he might be thinking. She on the other hand didn’t even try hiding how she felt. “Okay.” She saw the way his shoulders relaxed as if he had been tense.
He nodded. “Good. I’m glad, because believe me when I say I think this is the smartest and safest move.”
Maybe she wasn’t as strong and independent as others out there, and feared what the world held, but she liked to think of herself as strong in her own right. She had survived, and wasn’t that what mattered? Before she could respond to what Malice had said he started speaking again.
“We’ll leave in the next few hours. Once we get to River Run I’ll have you stay at the clubhouse since I’d rather you do that than stay in a hotel. It’s safer, too, and I want you close.”
She smiled at the last part he said. Her throat clogged from emotion, anticipation, and of course a little bit of fear of the unknown.
“I’ll need to talk all of this over with my club seeing as you’re an outsider.”
“Do you think they will be okay with me staying there?”
“I’m not about to back down if they aren’t.” Again, he said that last part hard and unyielding. “Tomorrow we can get you situated at a different place, and we can talk about that job. Sound good?” He said the last part a little more gently and even offered a small smile.
“Okay.” Her palms were sweaty, her heart rate picked up pace, and she actually thought she might pass out from the information overload and everything that seemed to be falling into her lap. Malice stood and turned, but before he could leave she called out. “Malice?”
He stopped and turned around.
“Thank you so much for being there.” It was like this heavy silence filled the room.
“You’re welcome, Adrianna.” He said her name so softly, so gently, that even after all of this she felt the tendrils of desire move through her.
And then he left her alone in the room, and all she did was think about what would happen in the future. Things couldn’t get any worse, right?
****
The ride to River Run had been long, but Adrianna had fallen asleep for the majority of it. She didn’t even think it was possible to sleep after all the shit that happened, and with the adrenaline that was a steady flow through her, but once she closed her eyes she had been out. Thank God those protestor people hadn’t been waiting for them when they left, because that was the last thing they needed right now. But if they were smart they would keep low given the fact they had rundown someone in their haste to escape. With six other women in the van it was a bit crowded, but with Malice driving instead of riding on his Harley with the other two guys, he had insisted she ride up front with him. She didn’t know any of the details about why they had a van full of women, and frankly didn’t want to know. But given the fact on how they were dress—like they were selling their bodies—and the fact she heard some of the hateful things those protestors were saying.