My Father's House

Chapter 2

I wouldn't make it far but aimed to put a few yards between us before falling. I hit the ground hard. A searing pain climbed my right leg and shoulder, both taking the brunt of the impact. His feet were pounding behind me. I tried to think. Did I have a weapon? Of any sort? Of course not. In my bag, the closest thing to mace was cologne, and he could have a gun.

I pushed myself to my hands and tried to stand. Faltering, I felt his arm lock around my waist.

"Stop!" My scream was weak.

His tight grip stole the air from my lungs. The man dragged me back toward the alley. So this is how I would end – a nightmare with some random gang member, Garrett's stalker, whoever - dragging me to my untimely death? I forced myself to focus on my surroundings. The place was desolate. Only this man would witness my fate.

To orient myself, I raised my head from where it had fallen. There was a man running at my attacker from our rear. When the second man collided with us, I fell again. This time, the left side of my body took the impact, my head hitting the pavement last. I couldn't move. Every effort sent sharp pain through my body.

The pain awakened a rush of adrenaline. I pulled myself to a standing position. As I moved, the second man tased my attacker and sent him into a fit of convulsions. His body contorted on the ground for a few seconds before becoming motionless. Then, the man turned and looked straight at me.

Although his face was obscure in the alley's dim light, he was a head taller than me, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. Vomit rose in my throat. I swallowed hard. Best to save it for when he came at me. It could turn out to be my only option for defense.

My look of absolute terror must have startled him. He stashed his weapon in the back of his pants and raised his hands as if the lady in four inch heels and a navy dinner gown had bested him.

"Harper. My name is Kael Sullivan. Your father sent me."

My knees began to buckle. As I reached for the side of the building, a knife-like pain stabbed into my left side.

I held it and squinted up at the man. "Stay away from me. I mean it!" His words finally registered in my mind. "How do you know my name?"

He stepped forward, but my hand came out to wave him off. His help was neither desired nor warranted.

"He will wake up soon. If you let me help you, I will explain. But I'm not going to hurt you. I swear."

There was urgency in his voice. It resonated with my own at the thought of the burly man waking. His hazel eyes held an intensity that pulled me in, persuaded me to believe him. Seeing his face made him appear less frightening than the faceless man on the ground. I nodded.

He strode over to me. Effortlessly, he supported most of my weight as we moved toward the main street. A passing cab stopped at his shrill whistle. I was placed inside. Never had I willingly let another person support me so completely, but every inch of me ached. I only wanted to leave the site of this nightmare behind.

He began to duck out of the cab. The instructions called out to the driver sounded suspiciously like my hotel address. Shaking my head, I tried to dispel some of the shock impeding my senses.

"Wait!"

My fingers caught his collar before he could disappear out the car door. Despite my attempts to keep it even, my voice shook.

"You have some explaining to do. Don't even try to leave me without your... explanation." I had started to say protection, but my pride was injured enough.