Chapter Four
Watching Phoebe as she drove into the underground car park and stopped at the valet station Donovan could see she was still reeling from the frightening events.
“Hey, you’re safe now,” he said, softening his voice.
“I get that and I’m fine, or rather I will be, but what is this place?”
“I’m picking up my car,” he replied vaguely.
“But—where are we?”
“Again with the questions,” he said, shaking his head as a young man in a black shirt and trousers opened her door. “Give him your keys —or don’t. If you want to leave and take your chances you’re free to go.”
“I’m so tired right now I can’t think straight,” she muttered, and with a resigned sigh she climbed from her car and handed over her key fob.
Stepping out and grabbing her backpack and plastic bag from the back seat, Donovan walked up to the valet and took him aside.
“Put her car in the basement. I want it covered, and change her plates as well,” he said quietly, then striding back, he grabbed her hand and walked her into an elevator.
“Can I ask where you’re taking me?”
“At least you’re asking if you can ask,” he replied, shooting her a grin as the doors closed.
“I don’t know how you can joke at a time like this.”
“Levity can be helpful, but to answer your question, we’re going to my place. You’ll stay there until it’s safe for you to go home.”
“But…won’t they know you’re there…and what about your car?”
“It’s a second home, and I have more than one vehicle. Over there, that’s my SUV,” he added when the doors opened.
As he pointed to a gunmetal gray, Range Rover Defender with tinted windows, he heard her gasp.
“Oh, my God. Donovan…it looks like a beast.”
“It is a beast. It can go pretty much anywhere.”
Keeping his fingers wrapped around hers, he stepped up to the front left tire, retrieved the key fob and unlocked the doors. As he opened the passenger door and watched her climb in, he could see her long, dramatic night was catching up to her.
“Phoebe, you can relax now.”
“Yeah, sure. I’m with a complete stranger sitting in a tank about to be taken to who knows where.”
“Put on your seat belt and take a deep breath. I promise, you’re out of danger.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, then letting out a heavy breath, she said, “Sorry, that was uncalled for.”
“It’s okay, I get it. Just kick back.”
Grateful she was finally calming down, he walked around the beefed up SUV and climbed in behind the wheel. She stayed quiet as he left the building and headed to the freeway. When he drove up the ramp, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The break in their combative dialogue allowed him to look back over the night’s events and plan his next move. By the time he exited and headed into the hills, he began feeling the fatigue. Though he was almost home he needed to stay focused.
He faced a fifteen-minute drive up a winding road through trees and brush. Finally turning down a narrow dirt track, he drove carefully through a heavily wooded area, then rolled into a garage attached to an impressive, two-story lodge.
“We’re here,” he announced, turning off the engine.
“Where is here?” she mumbled, opening her eyes. “Wow, why do you have such a big garage?”
“It doubles as a work space. I mess around with stuff sometimes, and it has room for more cars if needed.”
“But there”s nothing out there but trees,” she exclaimed, staring through a window as they climbed out.
“This is my hunting lodge, except I don’t hunt.”
“So...where do you take that thing,” she asked. “It has a cover, but it’s obviously a motorbike.”
“Nowhere in particular. Sometimes I just like to ride, but I know you must be totally exhausted. I’ll take you up to my bedroom so you can shower and get into bed. I have a couple of calls to make, then I’ll clean myself up and join you.” She stared at him, but didn’t comment. “Hey, there’s a guest room if you want it, more than one. I just thought you’d feel safer with me next to you. Damn,” he grunted, wincing as he opened the door leading to the kitchen.
“Donovan? Are you okay?”
“Fine, it’s just my shoulder. I must’ve hurt it in the fight. Come inside.”
Stepping in ahead of her, he wasn’t surprised when she stopped and stared.
“Wow again! This is amazing. Are you a gourmet chef?”
“I dabble, and there are times I have guests. But there’s a lot to see. If you stop and stare at everything you’ll never get to bed.”
“You’re not kidding,” she exclaimed as they entered the formal dining room and moved into an expansive living area. “This place is beautiful. Do you live alone?”
“For the moment. The bedrooms are upstairs. Follow me. Tomorrow when the sun’s up you’ll really love it. When you step outside it’s like another world. Actually, it is another world.”
“You have so many bronzes…and paintings. Are you a collector?”
“I am, but not just art,” he replied, turning to the right at the top of the stairs and walking down a wide hallway. “Here we are,” he continued, pushing open double doors and leading her into a large bedroom complete with a conversation pit around a fireplace. “The bathroom’s through there. Make yourself at home. If you want to start the fire just push that red button by the hearth.”
He was about to leave, but she was staring at him like a deer in headlights. He suddenly knew what she needed, and quickly pulled her into his arms. But as she leaned against him he felt not only fatigue seeping through his body, but vague aches and pains.
“Phoebe, take that shower and go to bed,” he murmured, breaking their hug. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, and wearily turning, she disappeared into the bathroom.