Take You Away

by Kira Hillins

  The truck drifted close, forcing her to the shoulder. She gripped the steering wheel tight and slammed both feet on the brake and clutch. The car slowed fast as the truck beside her sped ahead.

  “Jerk!” She pulled the car back on the road. Her face and neck burned. With the back of her hand, she wiped sweat from her temple.

  She rolled down the window and filled her lungs with fresh air. The fire on her cheeks and forehead cooled. But her heart—it wouldn’t stop pounding like the drums in Ben’s band.

  The brake lights on the truck glowed as the vehicle whipped around. The dust cloud that spiraled through the air behind it was now visible in the headlights.

  Zoe shrank in the seat. “Oh shit.”

  The truck’s high beams got closer. Bigger. Brighter. It headed straight for her.

  Her palms were slick with sweat. Her legs shook so hard she could barely lift them to stop the car.

  A shrill scream erupted from her mouth as she cranked the steering wheel. The car sideswiped the guardrail. The piercing screech of metal against metal deafened her.

  Still screaming like the teapot on her stove, she swerved back toward the road. The car lifted on its left two tires and slowly rolled.

  Adrenaline pumped through her veins. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying the car wouldn’t flip. After a few more feet of wobbling, the car slammed to the ground on all four tires and then stopped.

  Every muscle in her body turned to jelly. She breathed as if she’d held her breath underwater and finally resurfaced. The air smelled like Renji’s truck when it overheated. It burned her nose.

  She sat slack-mouthed as she watched steam rise from the hood of the car. Oh God. This couldn’t be happening. She’d never been in a wreck before, let alone forced off the road.

  After checking her surroundings, she drew in a few deep, calming breaths. At least the truck was gone now.

  Eager to reach Ben as fast as possible, she let off the brake. She popped the clutch and pressed the accelerator. The car lurched forward.

  At least it still ran. Roughly. Something was loose underneath.

  The car clinked and clanked up the darkened road. One of the headlights must have busted out, because it was hard to see. Ben was going to be so mad.

  “Please,” Zoe whispered as she sped up. “Help me through this.”

  The clanking turned to an awful high-pitched squeal. At 45 mph, the car wobbled. Badly. It became difficult to steer. The engine coughed and sputtered until it gave out.

  The car stalled at the end of a gravel driveway. Stuck out here in the dark on the lonely road where nobody ever drove by at this hour, she dialed 911.

  “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?” the man said.

  “A truck just ran me off the road. My car broke down, and now I’m stuck out here by myself.”

  “Where are you located?”

  “I’m on 96, east of Mount Hope.”

  “Are there any injuries?”

  “No, I’m fine. Just shaken up.”

  “All right. I’m going to send an officer to fill out a hit-and-run report.”

  “Thank you.”

  Headlights beamed behind her. The vehicle pulled over and stopped. The lights went off, then came back on. Every hair on her body stood as the pickup truck, the same one that’d run her off the road, slowly rolled by.

  Zoe’s hand shook as she tried to start the engine. It wouldn’t turn over. It sounded like a jackhammer pounding into concrete. “Come on!” She tried again. Nothing happened this time. No lights. No sound. The car was completely dead.

  The truck swerved off the road and then turned around. As it rolled by again, she stifled the shriek forming in the back of her throat.

  For a long moment she stared in the rearview mirror, watching as the truck’s brake lights fell farther away. Whoever it was headed back toward town.

  Her cell phone rang. That lump she’d kept under wraps came out in a short scream.

  Her throat clenched as she pressed the green button. She was shaking so bad she was surprised she could even hold her phone steady against her ear.

  “Who is this?”

  Nobody responded.

  “I’ve called the police,” she said, envisioning Nicholas listening on the other end of the call. “They’re going to find you. You’ll go back to prison if you don’t stop harassing me. So just stay away!”

  The call ended.

  A shadow crept across the car window. She covered her mouth with her hand but couldn’t silence the short, abrupt screech. What was she to do? Run? Stay inside the locked car? Whoever it was out there could shatter the glass and take what he wanted anyway.

  The police were on their way. She needed to hang tight until they arrived. Just like Fred taught her, she balled her hands, ready to fight.

  When the phone rang again, her heart galloped faster. She glanced down. Ben’s name flashed on the screen.

  “Ben!” she answered. “I’m so sorry. I—”

  “Zoe. I’m right outside the car. Could you let me in?”

  She leaned over the center console. When she saw Ben, his gaze on her, she pressed the lock. Relief swept through her as he sat down and shut the door.

  “I am so glad you’re here!” She hugged his neck. No lock on her apartment could compare to how safe she felt in his arms.

  His thick jacket crinkled as he held her. “You okay?”

  She closed her eyes. “Scared to death.”

  His arms tightened around her. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”

  “Don’t let go.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Promise?”

  He pressed his lips against her ear. “I promise.”

  His woodsy cologne was like incense that calmed her fear. As she leaned back, her body relaxed.

  She cupped his cheek. The shadow on his jawline tickled her palm. There was enough light from the moon to see his face and the short smile he gave when he looked at her. “I’m sorry about your car.”

  “I don’t care about the car,” he said in a soothing tenor. He gently pushed her hair behind her shoulders. “I was afraid for you, Zoe.” He kissed her lips once. “I was afraid you were hurt, and that I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

  “Oh, Ben,” she whispered.

  He parted his lips over hers. Fear was the furthest from her mind as she moved her hand through his feather-soft hair.

  His tongue explored her mouth. He held the back of her head, pulling her in, not letting her up for air. It was suffocating at first. Her muscles tensed. But as she learned to breathe through her nostrils, she didn’t want to stop.

  Warmth spread through her body. All the nerves that controlled pleasure burned with desire. She wanted to be touched. Her nipples pressed against the fabric of her bra, hungering for his attention.

  He suddenly released her from the kiss. A whimper escaped her heavy breath in his mouth. The ache was unbearable. He gazed into her eyes as his thumbs gently massaged her cheeks.

  Red and blue lights flashed in the distance. “Here come the police.”

  Zoe didn’t want to leave Ben’s touch. She was comfortable in his embrace. Safe. With him holding her like this, nothing bad could touch her. But he was more than just a safe haven. He was the man who held her heart.

  The police car pulled in behind the MINI. Another vehicle moved in beside them. When Zoe realized it was Renji in his truck, she opened the car door and got out.

  “Holy shit, Zoe! What happened?” Renji asked.

  “Somebody ran me off the road. What are you doing here?”

  “I was riding with Fred tonight when he got a report of a hit-and-run. I stopped off to get my truck in case someone needed a tow.” Renji placed his palms on her shoulders. “What are you doing out here alone? With Nicholas—”

  “I’m glad you’re here!” Zoe said as Ben rounded the front of the car, hands in his pockets. “You can tow us back to town.”

  “Sorry.” Renji searched her
eyes. “I didn’t know he was with you.”

  “His motorcycle’s up ahead. The truck ran him off the road too.”

  Renji sighed heavily. “Okay. Get in the warm truck while I hook up the car.” Zoe hopped up in the passenger seat of Renji’s truck. She scooted to the center of the bench seat, giving Ben enough room to climb in, but Ben shut the door behind her.

  Watching the two men work together in the headlights was awkward. Best friend and new boyfriend didn’t speak a word or even acknowledge each other.

  Ben leaned inside the car, grabbing things from the glove compartment, while Renji picked car parts up from the ground and tossed them in the back of the truck.

  Fred opened the passenger door. “You all right, Zoe?”

  She gave a short nod. “I’m still a little shaken, but I’m okay.”

  “Tell me what happened.”

  Fred wanted to know about the accident, but all she could think of was kissing Ben in the car. Though not as intense, the heat low in her belly was still there. She cleared her throat. “Ben called to tell me a truck ran him off the road. On my way to pick him up, the truck did the same to me. Whoever it was turned around and headed straight for me.”

  “Head-on?”

  “Yes.” The awful chill came rushing back. It crept up and down her spine and across her shoulders. “I think it was Nicholas.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “He texted me.”

  Fred cocked his head to the side. “Mind if I see that text?”

  “I left my phone in the car.”

  She started to get out, but Fred held up his hand. “Don’t worry about searching through the dark car. I’m going to call this in and get someone out to Nicholas’s house.” He gave a reassuring smile. “I’ll meet you back at your apartment.”

  Zoe smiled. “Thanks, Fred.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” he replied. “It’s good to see you smiling again.”

  It was because of Ben. He made her happy.

  As Fred shut the door, Renji hopped inside the driver’s seat. He pulled the truck up to the car’s front. After he backed in, Ben hooked the chain to the chassis.

  “I’m pretty sure Nicholas did this,” Zoe said over the hum of the truck. “I don’t want you to say anything about…that night in front of Ben.”

  “Okay. But you’re going to have to tell him eventually, especially since we think Nicholas is stalking you again.”

  Zoe shut her eyes tight. Her internal prayer turned to begging.

  God. Please, God. Let this hit-and-run be a random idiot. Let the tequila bottle outside my apartment be from kids partying.

  Zoe sighed. “I’m waiting for the right time to tell him.”

  “When’s that?”

  “I don’t know. But I’m sure it’ll be soon.” She caught Renji’s gaze. “I got a text from Nicholas.”

  “What?”

  “He said the cops questioned him about being at my apartment. I told him to go away and never call me again.”

  “Zoe!” His lips moved into a straight line. “After what he did to you, I thought you were smart enough not to respond.”

  “I just want him to leave me alone.”

  “He’s a violent bastard who’s obsessed with you. Now he’s pissed.” Renji took hold of her hand. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  The passenger door opened. Zoe pulled her hand from Renji’s as Ben stepped into the truck. When he shut the door, he tossed her a glance.

  “Tailpipe’s broken. Had to pull it off and stick it in the back of the truck.”

  She hunched over, hands covering her face. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Hey.” Ben put his arm around her shoulders. “This isn’t your fault.”

  “It is,” she said. “I shouldn’t have sent him a message.”

  “Sent who a message?” Ben asked.

  She leaned her head against Ben’s arm. She didn’t want to say anything, but how could she not? If it was indeed Nicholas who did this, Ben needed to know. He deserved to know what he was getting himself into by being involved with her.

  “I’m not for sure it was him, but I think it could be my ex-boyfriend.”

  Renji shifted the truck in gear and pulled onto the highway. “Her asshole ex-boyfriend.” He slapped his palm against the top of the steering wheel. “He’s fucking with her again.”

  Ben shrugged her off his arm, forcing her to sit up. “What’s going on, Zoe?”

  “The guy I dated a few years ago—he was a little…possessive.”

  “Possessive?” Renji let out a deep, condescending chortle. “This guy’s a major creep who likes to beat on women. Especially Zoe.”

  “Renji!”

  Ben’s brows arched. “He hit…Zoe?”

  “Yep.” Renji leaned forward as he slowed the truck. The motorcycle came into view in the headlights. “Ah, man. You’re lucky you weren’t killed.”

  Zoe could feel Ben’s gaze on her, but she refused to look at him. She stayed focused on the motorcycle lying in the ditch on the side of the road. Feeling like the bent rim, having put Ben’s life in danger, she started to cry.

  Renji shoved the gear stick into park. He heaved a grunt as he got out and then slammed the door behind him.

  “Zoe,” Ben said. “Look at me.”

  “I can’t.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “No. It’s not okay.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry you got mixed up in this. I didn’t want you to know my past, but it looks like it’s out in the open now.”

  His hand pressed against her back. “We’ll get this sorted out later. Okay?”

  “Yeah,” she said softly. All the explaining she had to do now—this wasn’t how she wanted to spend their weekend.

  Ben opened the door and got out. When the door shut, Zoe fell back against the seat, palm on her burning temple. The stress was too much.

  What if it wasn’t Nicholas who did this? She didn’t see his face. What if it was just some dumb teenagers trying to wreak havoc on everyone on the road? She thought of her prayer. Miracles could happen.

  She might as well face the facts. Nicholas had contacted her. He’d stalked outside her apartment for God knew how long. The proof was the empty tequila bottle. To think he could’ve broken in anytime made her stomach churn. She never would’ve known until he’d beaten and raped her again. Or worse—killed her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Deputy Fred stuffed his left hand in the pocket of his gray jacket. The short, sandy-blond man stood between Renji and Ben, who both towered over him, waiting for an answer.

  Fred was a fearless man—a man Zoe respected. He’d been her dad’s friend and had watched over her after her father died. He’d given her lessons in self-defense, which helped her work through the tough time she’d had after the incident with Nicholas. He’d helped her get her self-esteem back, made her believe she was in control of her life again.

  “Nicholas was home all evening with his girlfriend,” Fred said.

  “Allegedly.”

  “He doesn’t own a white truck. So, whoever it was who ran you guys off the road wasn’t him.”

  “Bullshit. He probably stole the truck from a dealership, then used it to terrorize her before dumping it down some dirt road.”

  “We’re still searching.” Fred placed his hat on his head. “Don’t worry, Zoe. I’ll do whatever I can to find the people responsible.”

  “Go to Nicholas’s house!” Renji growled. “You know it was him!”

  “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to put him back in prison. But I can’t go on speculation. Nobody saw his face.”

  Ben cocked his head to the side. “Back in prison?”

  Renji hissed through his teeth. “Nicholas called and texted her. Doesn’t that give you enough to arrest the jerk for harassment?”

  “There was no hostility toward her. No threats made.” Fred looked at Zoe. “Now if he contacts you in person, that’s another st
ory. Let me know the second it happens. If it happens. I hope it doesn’t.” He sighed. “In the meantime, I’m sorry I can’t do anything more. If you don’t want him contacting you, best thing for you to do is get a restraining order. You can also change your phone number.”

  “Well, you’re no help, Fred,” Renji said.

  Fred tipped the brow of his hat. “Once we find the truck, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks.” Zoe followed Fred to the kitchen doorway. Not knowing who terrorized her left a sick feeling in her gut. Did Nicholas do this? Or was he really at home like Fred said? She wasn’t sure what to believe.

  Exhausted—physically and mentally—Zoe shivered. Once Fred left, she went back to the kitchen. She leaned against the counter and folded her arms across her chest.

  Ben sat on the bar stool. Who knew what went through his mind? He’d barely said a word after he’d told Fred the truck had run him into the ditch. He just stood there and listened to her talk about her scary encounter.

  “I’m out of here too,” Renji said. “You gonna be all right, Zoe?”

  “Yeah.” She drew in a deep breath.

  Renji leaned forward and gently kissed her temple. “I’m worried about you.”

  “Don’t be.” She gazed up into his eyes. “I’ll be all right.”

  “Okay, then,” he said. “It doesn’t mean I’m turning a blind eye. I’m still going to watch over you.”

  “Thanks, Renji.” She hugged his torso tight, cheek against his shoulder. “You’re the best.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said with a quiet laugh and then lightly patted Zoe on the head. “See you later, my best friend whom I love as a best friend.”

  “See you.”

  “Take good care of her,” Renji warned Ben. “Or I’ll kick your ass.”

  Ben’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Maybe he wanted to leave too. Not that she’d blame him. Tonight’s drama had been one big nightmare.

  She followed Renji down the stairs. He gave her a wink before he stepped outside in the dark. She locked the door and then made her way to the kitchen to find Ben still sitting on the stool.

  “I guess you’re pretty freaked out about all this.”

  “A little bit, yeah.”