Rose Read Online Free PDF Page A

taking a silent inventory of my injuries. I slowly pull myself up until I’m on my knees. I rub a hand over my damp face, wincing as pain shoots through my body.
    The rain is coming down in sheets now, and I’m shaking as it seems to penetrate my very bones. I see an awning up ahead and get slowly to my feet. I stagger toward the shelter, almost sagging in relief as I’m shielded from the worst of the downpour now.
    I have little doubt I resemble a homeless person as I rest my back against the door behind me before sinking to my ass on the cold cement. I drop my head into my hands and start to cry. What am I going to do? I literally have the clothes on my back and the few dollars in my purse. I hate to bother Lia, but maybe either she or Lucian can wire me some money until they return. I don’t know what else to do at this point.
    A noise nearby draws my attention and I see a group of guys on the opposite side of the street staring at me. They probably saw my tumble a few moments ago and stayed around to enjoy my humiliation. My breath catches in fear as I take stock of my surroundings. Other than the stray car passing by, there is no one around to help me. I get shakily to my feet, keeping a wary eye on them. He’s going to cut off my phone in less than an hour. Shit. I scroll my contacts list, intending to hit the button for Lia when I see Max’s name a few entries below. My finger hovers uncertainly, just as a clap of thunder shakes the earth. Fuck it; I’d call Satan himself if he’d help me. The call connects just as the guys from across the street begin yelling words I can’t quite decipher.
    Suddenly, a raspy male voice sounds in my ear. “Rose?”
    My hands are shaking and my teeth are chattering as I manage to whisper, “Max—please.”
    “What’s wrong?” he asks, sounding instantly alert and so very Max that I begin to sob again. “Honey, where are you? Are you hurt?”
    His voice soothes my hysteria enough for me to croak out, “I’m on the street. I … my father took my car and apartment. And there are some men ... looking at me.” Sniffing, I add, “I’m scared, Max.”
    “I’m on my way, sweetheart. Just take a deep breath and release it,” he says slowly. I do as he instructs, focusing on nothing but his words. “Now, what’s the name of the street you’re on?”
    My mind draws a blank. I begin to panic again as I admit, “I—God, I can’t remember. It’s near my apartment.” Then in a moment of clarity, it comes to me. “Wait, it’s Pine Street,” I call out. Then I realize there is nothing but silence in my ear. “Hello … Max, are you there? Hello?” I yell out before pulling the phone from my ear and looking at it. Instead of “Lost Call,” the display says, “No Service.” No, dammit, no! True to his word, my father has disconnected my phone, leaving me on a deserted street in the middle of the night with no way to call for help. What kind of man does that to his daughter? At that moment, I fucking hate him with everything that I am. Would it even bother him to hear that something bad had happened to me? No doubt in his mind, it would all be my fault for daring to challenge his plan for my life. He’s never been a doting father, but even I’m shocked that he would do something like this. I wonder almost idly how he would have explained my gun collection to the movers. He probably had one of his personal lackeys take those away.
    When I finally look around me again, I’m surprised to see that the guys from across the street are nowhere in sight. Apparently, the weather was too bad for them to stay any longer to taunt me. The sad part is that I feel even more alone with them gone. Will Max be able to find me from what little information I gave him? Did he even hear me say I was near my apartment before my phone line disconnected?
    I’m trembling unbearably now, and I’m so tired I can no longer remain upright. I lower myself back to my butt and slump against