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He was probably the only person who could call me Rhett and get away with it. He and I went way back into my adolescent days when I was just a trouble-making kid that always got myself into some kind of trouble.
“I’m almost there,” I assured him.
I hung up the call and pressed my foot harder on the accelerator, my car purring as it sped up. Reaching over with a free hand, I pressed my fingers to her cheek, frowning when she began foaming.
“Fuck!” I roared. “Hang in there, Natalia. You’renotfucking dying like this.”
* * *
LiftingNatalia’s limp body into my arms, I kicked my door shut and rushed through the backdoor of the club that my manager, Darla, was holding open. “Down the hall—third door on the right,” she told me, not even blinking at the woman in my arms.
I quickly made my way to the room. Dr. Reynolds was already waiting there with a nurse he sometimes called in. As soon as I walked into the room, he shut the door, giving us privacy. I laid her on the bed and then stood back against the wall while Dr. Reynolds and Patricia, his nurse, worked on saving Natalia’s life.
“Her eyes are unresponsive.” Natalia began shaking, and I gritted my teeth so hard that they audibly ground together. “Shit—she’s seizing.”
I wasn’t a praying man. Most of the damn time, I didn’t believe God existed, not after all the hell I’d endured in my life—a shitty mom, an abusive father, starvation—but right then, I fucking prayed.
Don’t take her, God. She’s too young. She hasn’t done a damn thing to be thrown into this sick, twisted game.
Her seizing slowly eased. Dr. Reynolds began working to save her once again.
Had God listened to me? I had no fucking idea if it was Him or Death deciding he wasn’t ready to take her from the world—from me—yet. Either way, I was grateful. She didn’t deserve to die.
I crossed my arms over my chest, clenching my fists as I watched them do their best to save her, and I only hoped that I wasn’t too fucking late in getting her help.
* * *
Finally,hours later, Dr. Reynolds looked up at me, a relieved smile on his face. “She’s going to make it, Sir.”
It was through sheer strength that I didn’t collapse into the nearest chair. I moved over to her and frowned down at her pale face before merely shaking my head and leaving the room to go speak to Darla. I’d add a bonus to Dr. Reynolds’ and Patricia’s checks as a thank you. And it would be a fucking hefty one.
I found Darla at the bar, wiping down the counter top. I arched a brow at her. “Pretty sure I hired a bartender,” I commented.
She shrugged. “I had two scheduled. One called out. I just relieved the other one for his break. It’s been a bit crazy tonight, and he’s been handling it smoothly. Figured the most I could do was let him catch a few smoke breaks here and there.” She paused in wiping down the counter and arched an eyebrow at me. “Everything okay?”
I nodded. “She’s going to make it. But I’m leaving her here. I received her a bit unexpectedly, and I don’t know what to do with her.”
Darla frowned at me, disapproval shining in her eyes. “So, you’re holding her against her will?”
I growled a warning. She flushed, lowering her eyes. She knew she’d stepped out of line. She had no idea what the fuck I’d just saved Natalia from. It was either me or one of the other monsters in the world who would just sell her to the highest bidder.
“Sorry, Sir. That was out of line.”
“I just saved her from something much worse.” She frowned up at me in confusion. “Get a contract drawn up for her. No one gets to fuck her. That’s the number one rule. Other than that, I guess she’s free game.” Probably didn’t make me much better than the men I’d saved her from, but at least there would be safe words in place for her. I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my slacks. “I’m leaving the country on a business trip tomorrow morning, but if she gets to be too much to handle, give me a call.”
Darla sighed. “Sheisat least a submissive, right, Sir?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think so, but she’ll learn to be one.” Her lips tightened. “Just remember what I said. Andno onelearns where she came from, am I clear? If I find out it’s slipped, I’ll know exactly who opened their mouth.”
She paled a little and quickly nodded her head. I turned on my heel and walked out of the club. My warning was clear.
Darla had better keep her mouth shut, or her days were numbered. Natalia’s safety was on the fucking line.
3
Rhett
Iprided myself on keeping my shit together. I’d been a wild child growing up—too hot of a temper, too mouthy, never thought before I opened my mouth.
