Chapter 3 3

MARA'S POV

I woke up, my heart beating fast, the room was bright and soft.

Where was I?

The bed was huge and silky, nothing like the hard floor I had experienced the previous day. My cheek still hurt and I could taste dried blood on my lips.

I looked around: tall ceilings, dark wood, sunlight streaming in, yeah, I definitely wasn't at the hotel anymore, panic gripped me.

Was I trapped again?

I checked my clothes; I wasn't in the big sweat shirt and baggy trousers. I let out a loud gasp, someone had changed my clothes. My stomach twisted with fear, wondering who had done this.

The door opened, and Luca walked in holding a tray.

He was the guy who told Ross where I was. He smiled, a warm, easy smile, like we were friends.

"You're awake," he said, putting the tray down. His voice was rough but gentle, as if he hadn't just messed up everything for me.

I pulled the blanket up to my chin. "What's this? You changed my clothes?" my voice shook with panic. "Did you touch me?"

The feelings I felt was a mix of dread and a confusing, wrong feeling that I needed to push away from my head.

He lets out a smirk, then looked at me with a wanting look, "What if I did? You owe me a thank you, don't you think?"

"A thank you?" I shot back. "You took advantage of a girl who was helpless"

He put his hands up and stepped back, his smile fading. "Hold on, I'm a gentleman, okay? You passed out in my car, covered in blood. My housekeeper changed you and cleaned you up. I didn't touch you, I swear." His voice was sharp, a little hurt, but his eyes lingered on my bare shoulders, and I saw a hungry look he didn't hide.

I gripped the blanket, shaking, unsure. "A gentleman? You sold me out to Ross. Why should I believe you?" my voice trembled, but I glared at him, anger pushing through the shame. His eyes, his body, pulled me in, but he had already hurt me. Trust was a huge risk.

He rubbed his jaw, his muscles tight, guilt flashing in his eyes. "I agree I messed up by telling him where you were, okay? I didn't think he'd go that far. But when I saw him hit you, I couldn't just stand there. I knew I had to do something, that's why I got you out of there." His words sounded raw, like he was angry at himself, and my heart softened a little despite his betrayal.

"Got me out?" I asked, putting the blanket down and standing on shaky legs. My shorts rode up, and his eyes moved to my thighs. "You don't get to ack like my hero after selling me out. I am not some project you fix because you're bored." Pain pulled at me, but I stood tall.

He stepped closer, his scent washed over me, my guts to tighten. "You're hurt, and you have nowhere to go. Stay, eat, think it through." His voice dropped, firm as his eyes locked on mine.

It was a challenge that made my skin tingle, and my body wanted to lean into him.

I crossed my arms, hiding the blush on my chest. "I can't stay here, not after what you did. I need to go."

My words were steady, but my knees shook. What if he was right? No plan, no money, just bruises from a guy who had already let me down.

He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, muscles flexing under his shirt. He had a small smile. "Go? In those shorts, no shoes, with Ross after you? You'll be back in his hands by tonight."

"I'll figure something out." I mumbled, slipping past him.

My arm brushed his chest, and a spark shot through me, my body wanting more. I hated it, hated how close he made me feel alive when all I wanted was to run.

The hallway was wide, with shiny marble, like a rich man's maze. My feet slapped the floor, each step fighting the fear gripping me. Where was my out?

He followed, his boots thudding, his voice loud. "You're going to get hurt out there. Ross is mad you ran away. Stay, let me help you." He grabbed my wrist, turning me. his grip was warm and firm, sending heat up my arm. "I'm not your enemy."

I pulled back, my chest throbbing, the memory of Ross's fist. "Help? Trust you? No way."

He stepped closer; way too close to me. His breath was warm, and his eyes searched mine. "I'm not him, okay? I messed up once, but I won't again. You're safe here." His voice softened, a plea under the roughness.

His hand hovered near my cheek, as if he wanted to touch but held back. My body leaned toward him, craving it, before I stepped back, my heart racing.

"Thanks for the bed, the food and clothes," I blurted, my voice firm to hide the warmth pooling inside me. "But I have to deal with my own problems." I turned, heading for the stairs.

I was done feeling helpless and I don't need yet another man to rely on to help me fight. I was going to prove Ross and his family wrong even if it destroyed me.

His fingers grazed my arm gently, his thumb brushing my skin, a jolt making me gasp. "Don't be foolish." He growled, his eyes fierce, like I was his to protect. "Do you think you can run away from Ross Larkin? There is nowhere you're going to hide that he won't find you in this city except here. You bruised his ego and he is going to do anything possible to get back right at you even if you have to pay with your life."

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out because I had no idea what to say, just then a voice roared from downstairs, harsh and full of anger that cut through the air.

"Luca, you jerk! Where are you?" It was Ross. My blood ran cold, my legs froze, and fear choked me.

He was here, in the house. His shout was like a chain pulling me back. Luca's grip tightened, his eyes flicking upward then to me.

A question burned in his eyes: run or hide?