Chapter 17 - Klaus
I stood still for a moment, watching her walk away. I wanted to grab her and tell her to get her ass back into the car. Another part of me wanted to fuck the attitude right out of her. But I knew that she didn’t want that. There was too much going on for that to be part of the discussion.
So, I stood still and counted. I gave her two minutes before I started after her. I walked down the sidewalk and around the corner. I knew I would be able to see her, but when I rounded the corner, I couldn’t.
I frowned. Maybe she was walking faster than I anticipated. Or maybe she took a different direction to get back to the house.
I turned back and got into my car. I headed down the road, searching the sidewalks as I drove back home. I didn’t see her. I didn’t even see anyone who resembled her.
I pulled up to the house and headed inside. I opened the door, half expecting her to be waiting for me. But there were no signs she’d returned home. Her shoes were still missing, and her jacket was still gone.
“Aubrey?”
The house was silent.
But I checked. I hurried to her room and found it empty, minus Peanut sleeping on her bed. I searched the living room and the basement. I went to the backyard and still found no sign of her.
I hurried back to my car and started driving back, looking at the sidewalks. I could feel my heart racing because she had to be around here. She couldn’t have gone far.
Unless…
My stomach sank as my wolf spoke angrily at me.
You left her alone. You knew that her ex was around here and that he was looking for her, and you left her alone! You idiot!
It was only two minutes. That wasn’t enough time. And even if he were around, she would have screamed. Aubrey would have fought back. She wouldn’t have just gone willingly. She had been trying to break free, and she wasn’t going to just willingly go back to that life.
Unless she didn’t have a choice, you act as if he isn’t dangerous. She warned you of what he was like, what he’d done to her.
I hated myself for giving her the space. I knew better. She needed me to protect her, and I hadn’t done that.
I pulled over, not even sure where to start or who to call. We’d already searched, and they hadn’t been able to find him. He clearly knew what he was doing, and if his goal was to grab Aubrey and leave, he could accomplish it.
I had to call Cal and have all the exits closed off until she was found. Sure, it was a little drastic, but it was for her. I had to go to the extreme for her.
I pulled my phone up and glanced out the window. Across the street, I spotted her. She was sitting in the front of the car, her face frozen in fear. My heart sank as a man sat in the driver’s seat. He was leaning close to her, holding a gun to her head.
Shit.
She stayed perfectly still as he started the car.
I could see his lips moving quickly, his face contorted in anger.
It felt like the whole world stood still while he pulled out, and I quickly whipped a U-turn and hurried after them.
I was tempted to slam my car into his, but I didn’t know if Aubrey was buckled or not.
I didn’t know where the gun was. I didn’t even know what I could do.
But I couldn’t let him get away. This was the only chance I had to make this bastard pay.
I followed close behind him, trying to dial up Cal’s number.
I’d hardly got the phone to call him before the car started to veer.
I slammed on the brakes as they swerved, sliding into the next car over and straight for a telephone pole.
The sound of the crash echoed, and I could hear a scream from the car. Cal answered the phone, and the world went silent.
I stared, my heart racing as I took in the car. I could see the airbags went off, and glass shattered everywhere.
“Klaus? Did you just get into an accident? Klaus!”
I took a single breath in and threw my door open. I raced out, rushing toward the car. Anger mixed with concern and worry. I had no idea what I was stepping into.
The side door popped open, and I watched as a shaking hand pushed the door further open. Aubrey wobbled out, her legs shaking as she held onto the door tightly. She had a cut on her forehead, with blood trailing down her face. Her eyes wouldn’t focus, and you could tell she had whiplash.
“Aubrey!” I ran to her, pulling her tightly into my arms. Her legs gave out, and I held her close. She was shaking, starting to sob as her arms held onto me tightly. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry.”
I looked past her toward the driver’s seat. The guy was leaning forward, and I could see blood splattered over the windshield, which was busted. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and blood was everywhere. I didn’t even have to look for a pulse to know he was likely dead.
I held her tightly, pressing a kiss on her forehead as she continued to cry. The world felt like it was standing still. A few other cars pulled over, and I quickly spotted Cal as he pulled up.
His face was pale as he took in the scene. “What the hell happened?”
“I need to take her to the healers.”
Aubrey shoved against me. “No! I’m fine! I’m not hurt.”
“You’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine.”
“And what about this?” Cal asked, waving a hand at the car.
“I don’t think he made it. There is a gun in there somewhere.”
“What the hell happened?”
I looked at Aubrey. She swallowed, and I noticed she had a cut on her lip, too. “I was walking… and suddenly he was there.” She frowned. “I wanted to scream, but he had a gun. I was trying to think of how I could get free, but he said he would hurt you.”
She looked at me, her eyes filled with worry. “I knew if he got me out of town, I’d never get free. So, when he drove and put the gun down, I hit him. I hit hard, and he swerved. So, I grabbed the steering wheel and had him swerve harder. I knew he wasn’t buckled, and I figured I could get away.”
“I need to have you get checked over, Aubrey. You’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to go to a healer.”
I sighed. “Fine, we don’t go to a healer. But I’m taking you home. We need to get you cleaned up and get your wound taken care of.”
I pulled her up and turned to Cal. “Can you take care of this?”
Cal nodded, and I took Aubrey to my vehicle. I buckled her in and drove back to the house slowly. I couldn’t help but keep glancing at her, making sure she was okay. She wiped at her eyes, sniffling.
“Aubrey.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing.”
“But I am. If I hadn’t gotten upset and stormed off, none of this would have happened.”
I shook my head. “Any of this could have happened, Aubrey. None of this is your fault.” Even if I hadn’t left her alone for those two minutes, it could have happened another time.
She could have run to the bathroom, and he could have snagged her there.
He could have tried to sneak it late at night. Anything was possible.
She looked at me with such hurt eyes.
“You are not at fault, Aubrey. What happened today could have happened another time. What matters is that you are safe and alive. That’s all I care about.”
She slowly nodded as I pulled up to the house. I took her inside and headed straight up to her room. I set her down on the bed, headed into the bathroom, and started a bath. I threw open the bathroom closet and searched for the first-aid kit I knew was in here.
“Klaus, I’m fine.” Aubrey stepped into the bathroom.
“I’m taking care of you.”
“I swear.”
“Aubrey, don’t argue with me.” I spotted the kit and pulled it free from the top shelf. “Now, sit.” I pointed toward the edge of the tub.
I ripped the kit open. I cleaned her forehead and placed some gauze down. I checked her lip, making sure it wasn’t too busted.
“Alright, you should be good. Do you want a hand into the tub?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to help me take a bath, are you?”
“Aubrey, you smacked your head. I have every right to be concerned. You could have a concussion.”
She didn’t argue with me and blushed. “Can you at least turn around while I get in?”
“I’ve seen you naked.”
“And you don’t need to see it again.”
I sighed and turned around. I could hear her clothes drop before the splash of water. I turned, her little frame sitting in the bubbly water. She held her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees.
I bent down, kneeling. I leaned over and tilted my head as I looked at her. I reached a hand out, curling a strand of hair around my finger. “How is your head?”
She shrugged. “It hurts a little.”
I frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want to get checked out?”
She nodded. “I’m just tired from this day. This bath helps.”
I splashed water over her back, soaking her in. It wasn’t even sexual but rather seeing her so raw and vulnerable. I’d been watching her for months, but this was different.
“Is he dead?” she whispered.
I didn’t think there was a chance he was alive, but I would call Cal to confirm. “I’m sure. “I’ll call Cal once you’re out.”
She pulled her gaze down to the water. I reached a hand out, stroking her hair. The moment felt so perfect.
I helped her wash her hair and helped her get to her bed. She walked slowly, and I could tell she was probably sore. Once she was in the sheets, I called Cal.
I slipped down the hallway just a few feet and leaned against the wall while the phone rang.
“Hey.”
“Hey, how did everything turn out?”
“Car got towed away, and we had the sidewalks sprayed down. There are some tire marks, but those will be cleaned too.”
I nodded. “And him?”
“Died on impact. If he didn’t, the blood loss killed him.”
I felt my shoulders relax knowing this would help calm Aubrey.
“His body was brought to the morgue.”
“Thanks, Cal. I’ll connect with you tomorrow.” I slipped back into Aubrey’s room and found her sitting up. She rubbed her fingers together while she waited. Her eyes popped up, meeting mine. “So?”
“He died,” I stated.
I watched her face remain blank for a moment. Her shoulders relaxed a little, and she frowned. “I killed him.”
I shook my head. “No, you survived. You didn’t do anything.”
She swallowed. “I don’t even feel bad.”