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“It’s open,” she says.
I twist the knob, opening the door just enough to push the bag inside for her. I catch a glance of her bare back in the mirror, seeing that she has a green-and-yellow bruise on her side with a red gash right below it. Pain shoots through my chest, and I ache, seeing her this way. I need to hit someone, but he’s already dead.
But whoever was truly behind it is still at large.
“I’m right out here if you need me.” I close the door, turning back around as my chest constricts and my fists clench.
Duke is sitting on the bed, flipping through the channels on the TV. “I know it’s not the time, but I just gotta say that this is fucking weird with you and her. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t wanna know when it happened and get into another fistfight when we’re running from the law and she’s already beat up, but, fuck, Holden …”
He shakes his head, eyebrows pinched together as he stabs the buttons on the remote.
“Then, let’s not talk about it. Let me see the keys. I’m gonna go get us some real food.”
He jumps up off the bed. “I got it. I’m getting beer too.”
“Find me a cowboy hat, would you?”
“I’ll think about it,” he grumbles.
29
ROSIE
After a long, steaming-hot shower, I step out, feeling like a brand-new woman. I scrubbed my skin and scalp until they were raw. I towel-dry the tender skin before attempting to finger-brush through my tangles. The duffel bag on the floor is Dolly’s, so I send up a prayer that she thought to pack me a hairbrush and toothpaste.
After unzipping the top, I almost cry in gratitude. She sent a razor, shaving cream, mascara, a new toothbrush with toothpaste, and deodorant. I wish I could hug her. I groom myself for as long as I can remain standing, shaving every inch of myself, brushing my teeth twice before finally getting dressed in the white tank top, baby-blue zip-up sweatshirt, and light-gray leggings. Dolly’s boobs aren’t nearly as big as mine, but she packed me a stretchy, thin sports bra that barely covers my chest. It’s better than nothing. Once I don the clean white socks and swipe some mascara on, I inspect myself in the mirror.
If only she had sent some concealer for the bruises.
My hair is still damp, cascading around my shoulders in waves and smelling like motel shampoo when I step out of the bathroom.
Holden is sitting on the end of the bed. He leans back and turns his head to face me as I walk out. His dark eyes soften instantly as he takes me in from head to toe.
“Feel better?” He clears his throat.
I nod, suddenly feeling incredibly shy. We’re alone. He just rescued me from a monster, called me angel, and now, we’re alone.
He looks fucking incredible. He must’ve changed out of the shirt he had on because the pale blue one matches the hoodie I’m wearing. His denim-clad thighs are spread apart as he leans forward again, rubbing his hands together and looking down at the carpet. The scar on his jaw is pink in the lamplight.
I sit on the other bed, afraid of what I might do if I get too close to him right now. I’m warm, almost overheated in his presence.
Damsel in distress and dark knight rescuer is a fucking addictive narrative.
He stands, walking over to the black duffel bag by the door and riffling through it. He pulls out a white box, and I recognize the first aid kit from the ranch house. He struts back over to me, his ever-confident stride hotter than ever.
Okay, remember your issues. Remember him being a dick, a murderer.
Killer. He killed a man right beside you!
The memory doesn’t have the turnoff effect I was hoping for. Instead of making me wince, it sends flames of desire down to my core. I swallow over the lump in my throat as the bed pulls me toward his weight when he sits next to me.
“We should see if you need any antibiotic cream for the cuts. Where else are you hurt?”
He’s going to play doctor now? Lord help me …
“Um, there’s one on my side. It might need something.”
He nods, unlatching the kit. The truth is, my side is healing perfectly fine. I want him to touch me. I want to give him an excuse to touch me. Holden Redford tending to my wounds is like a deep secret, an ultimate fantasy moment come to life.
