Safe Word Read Online Free PDF Page A

clue her in on why she is here?” Danny leaned forward to look me in the eye. I narrowed my eyes, knowing there was nothing I could do to change the course of events now. I should have thrown out her number, went on to find the next mark, but my curiosity had gotten the best of me and now Rose would pay for it.
    “I figured that would be best done inside where there can’t be a scene,” I replied through gritted teeth. He only laughed at my response as he took a drag from his cigarette, filling the car with smoke. Lily pressed herself back into her seat and I could see the gears beginning to turn. The nervousness rolled off her, and I was worried she would have a panic attack like she had had when we were younger.
    “I should be getting home now.” Her voice was a soft whisper and her eyes vacant. She had already checked out to keep from dealing with the fear.
    I looked at Danny and back to Lily, leaning in close so she would keep calm. If she could feel the heat of my body she would start to relax.
    “I thought we could go back to my place for a drink. How does that sound?” I kept my voice low and soothing.
    “I really shouldn’t.” I could hear the fear in her voice but she tried her hardest to hide it. That was one of the things I had loved about Rose: her strength.
    “I insist.” Her eyes finally met mine, and I did my best to keep mine cold. I wasn’t the boy that was going to swoop in and save her when she needed me. I was the monster. If Danny suspected any differently, neither of us would make it out of this car. I did my best to shut off my feelings for the past and focused on the pain that I had felt after she’d left.

Chapter Two
Trying to Save You
    The car pulled into the alley beside my apartment building, and I couldn’t get Lily out of it fast enough. I had fucked up. Not only was I putting her in danger, but she didn’t have a wealthy father that could pay the ransom we needed. Danny kept Lily’s purse as I pulled her from the car and guided her to the fire escape that I often used as a personal entrance.
    “This isn’t funny, Cole.”
    “It’s Colt. I grew up and I’m not fucking laughing, sweetheart.” I was too close to finally getting what I needed. My plan was almost finished, and I couldn’t let any feelings for Rose as a child get in the way of all of this. A lot of people were counting on me.
    I heard her heels clank against the metal stairs, mimicking that of her frantic heartbeat.
    “Why are you doing this? Why?” Sobs broke through her pleas as I guided her through the window. I glanced around to make sure we were pulled away before slipping inside. Lily backed away from me. This was normally the point where I would make a few threats but also reassure them that everything would be fine if they just followed the rules. I couldn’t do it this time. It wasn’t going to be fine because the ransom would never come. I had to think of a plan. I was suffocating.
    I grabbed my hoodie and pulled it over my head, causing Lily to gasp. I had forgotten about my gun. I pulled it from the front of my pants and set it on the windowsill behind me.
    “I’m not going to hurt you.”
    “You are already hurting me.”
    I dropped my arms to my sides and sighed. How could she say that? I was the one who protected her. She ran from me.
    “You’re a tough girl and you have dealt with a lot worse than this. These next two weeks will be like a fucking vacation for you if you do what you’re told.”
    “Two weeks?”
    “I need to take a fucking shower and clear my mind.”
    I watched the wheels begin to turn in her mind. She was planning her escape. I smiled and shook my head.
    “Let’s go.”
    “Where?” She backed up against my old leather couch, knocking a few books that were precariously stacked behind it onto the floor. I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the spare bedroom. I motioned to her strappy sandals with my hands and she reluctantly slid them off.
    “Just until I