Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
WREN
“ I t’s going to be okay,” I tell the bloody, passed-out, but still alive man. At this point, I think I’m trying to reassure myself more than him.
I plop down on the ground next to the car, not even caring that I will probably be pulling little pieces of glass out of my ass tonight. Something in my gut keeps telling me to hold his hand until Alessio arrives. It’s hanging out the window anyway, so technically, it wouldn’t be moving him in case he is injured. Internal bleeding and stuff.
“You’re okay,” I say softly as I lightly stroke my thumb back and forth over his large, muscular hand, trying my best to comfort him.
I’m glad I’m getting this guy some help, but at the same time, why me? I’m really living on a hope and a prayer that not calling the cops doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass. I can only take so many kicks while I’m down before I stay there.
About ten minutes of me sitting here, whispering reassurances in this man’s ear that he probably isn’t even hearing, go by before I hear the sound of a car approaching. I can’t help but tighten my grip on the bloody man’s hand. The uncertainty of whether it is Alessio is getting the best of me.
And do I know that Alessio isn’t going to hurt me? Not exactly. I want to think that because I stopped to help his brother, he would just let me be on my way.
The sinking feeling in my stomach grows deeper as the black town car slows down as it passes but doesn’t completely stop. I can’t see anyone inside because the windows are blacked out, but I would bet my next month's rent that they were scoping everything out.
“Well, that’s weird…” I mumble, not letting up on the bloody man’s hand. To someone just driving by, it looks like we were both in an accident and need help. The bloody man’s groaning as he moves slightly breaks me from my thoughts. “Hey, it’s okay. Just don’t move, okay? Alessio is coming. In fact, I think this is him right now,” I say as I see a black Audi screeching to a stop next to the bloody man’s car.
“Holy fuck.” The man, I’m assuming is Alessio, curses as he slams his car door shut, quickly advancing on me. I drop the bloody man’s hand and jump to my feet, taking a step back for every step he takes toward me. “You didn’t tell me it was this bad!” he says, his voice rising and tone accusing.
Is he serious right now? “You’re the one that hung up on me when I was still talking! I told you he hit a tree!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. I cannot believe this man right now.
“You should have told me,” he bites out while quickly typing away on his phone before looking back at me. “Tell me what happened.”
I raise my eyebrow as I look at him like he’s stupid. “How would I know? I literally ran up on your brother.” I gesture to my outfit. “I was out for my usual run when I saw smoke and came upon this.” I wave my hand at the whole scene.
“So you didn’t see the crash happen?”
“No.”
Alessio lets out a frustrated sigh as he runs his hands through his hair. “Alright. Thanks for calling me. Do you need a ride back to…?” He trails off, waiting for me to fill in the blank, just as an ambulance and a tow truck pull up.
“I live in Ravenna Heights, but I didn’t call them,” I say, pointing to the two new vehicles.
“I know. I did. But why didn’t you?” he asks, suspicion swirling in his eyes.
My head flies back as if he slapped me. “He didn't want me to,” I say, pointing to the bloody man. “He specifically told me to call you. And I don’t know about you, but I do not mess with a dying man’s wishes, dude. You’re just asking for bad karma.” How does he not know this?
“How bad is he, Alessio?” one of the paramedics asks as they wheel over the stretcher. Does he really have a connection with an ambulance? That’s a weird thing to have a connection with.
“Not sure. He’s unconscious but still breathing. I need to take her home, but I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Sure thing.”
“Let’s go,” Alessio orders as he’s already walking toward his car, expecting me to follow, I’m assuming.
I blindly follow him in what I’m going to chalk up to as shock because what other explanation is there for getting into a car with a man I just met? I’m shocked that he’s just leaving his brother like that. Shocked that he isn’t freaking out and seems content with the minor fact that his brother is still breathing. None of these are normal responses. But then again, who am I to judge on what’s normal ?
I barely have my door closed before he throws the car in reverse and zooms off back to the city. “Where to?”
The expensive coolness of the leather against my skin has me fidgeting in the seat. I’m not used to being in something so nice. It’s going to sound stupid, but I don’t feel worthy of touching something this nice. Feeling a little self-conscious about his question, I answer, “Forest Glen. It’s a few blocks over from DD’s. You can just drop me off there, and I can walk.”
“I know where that is,” he replies, tone almost sounding bored.
Alright then.
It isn’t until we’re speeding through the city that I realize he’s, in fact, not dropping me off where I said but in front of my rundown apartment building. Sighing, I reach for the door handle but pause as I turn back to look at Alessio. “Thanks for the ride. And I hope your brother is okay, all things considered.”
And what do I get in return? A grunt before he speeds off, barely giving me a chance to close yet another door.