Read Freeing Her Online

Authors: A. M. Hargrove

Tags: #Thriller, #Mystery, #alpha male, #thriller and suspense novels, #broken alpha male, #broken characters, #steamy adult romances, #dark pasts

Freeing Her (3 page)

BOOK: Freeing Her
9.6Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

He cut her off. “I don’t give a fuck what
your intentions were. That’s what happened. What if I had been a
rotten bastard? I could’ve fucked you till your eyes rolled back in
your head or worse yet, raped and then killed you.”

All she could do was gape at him. She bowed
her head and swallowed. “Wow. I think I should go. I’m sorry I
caused you so much trouble. But you’re absolutely right. It was
careless and very stupid of me. And I should never have done it.”
She shook her head. She had to get out of there and away from him
so she could think. It wasn’t safe for her anymore. Her belly
lurched at the thought.

Kolson scrutinized her as she swung her
perfect legs over the side of the bed. She stood up, unsteady, and
grabbed the mattress edge. Using her free hand, she tugged her
skirt into place. Then she pinched the bridge of her nose. Black
dots blurred her vision, but she wasn’t sure if they were from fear
or from her hangover. “Um, would it be too much of an imposition to
use your restroom?”

He pointed to a door. “Over there.”

She flinched at his tone. Anxiety had edged
its familiar place under her skin. Jeez, she’d already apologized.
What more did he want?

In the bathroom, she noticed expensive
toiletries on the countertop, exactly like what one would find in a
high-end hotel. She took care of business and looked in the mirror.
Hanging her head, she took a deep breath and let it ease its way
out. As she looked at herself, she grimaced when she saw the pale,
wild-eyed girl staring back—smeared makeup, knotted hair. With
shaking hands, she did her best to clean off the mascara and then
rinsed with mouthwash. Her hair proved to be quite a challenge, so
she twisted it back up into a bun.


Gah, why the hell did you
drink so much?” she spoke to the stranger who stared back at her.
Splashing water on her face, she leaned on bent wrists. “He’s
right. You put yourself at great risk, dumbass, knowing Danny’s
back. What the hell are you going to do?” Fire burned her belly as
terror gripped her. “Oh God, please don’t let him find me.” Then in
a resigned tone she whispered, “He will. He always
does.”

When she walked out of the bathroom, he was
nowhere in sight. Gazing around the room, she noticed the expensive
furnishings. Lovely window treatments, gorgeous furniture, bed
linens, and the artwork displayed on the walls were beautiful.
Skippy had great taste. And lots of money, so it seemed.

After she pushed her feet into her pumps and
collected her few things, she peeked down the hall outside the
bedroom. Maybe she could sneak out without having to say goodbye.
That’d be nice, but too much to ask with her luck. Not knowing
where the exit door was, she took a guess and headed to the right.
But that landed her in the den, right where Kolson stood.

He didn’t hear her approach so she briefly
admired his physique. It wasn’t difficult though as he was quite
extraordinary to look at. “So, yeah, I guess I’ll be on my way.
Thank you for looking out for me last night. I realize you could’ve
left me there and I totally appreciate the bed and all. Sorry for
the inconvenience.” She looked for the door to leave but his voice
stopped her.


Someone will be here in a
moment to drive you home.”


Oh, no. That’s really not
necessary. I’m fine and can get myself home.”


I’ve already made the
arrangements.”


Well, okay, then. Thank
you. You’ve been more than kind.” She felt awkward, not sure what
to say.


I’m sorry for being so
harsh on you.”

She held up her hand. “No. You were right.
Completely. And I deserved it.” She gave him a tremulous half
smile.

He looked at her and noticed the haunted
look in her eyes.

The doorman buzzed him.


Sir, a car is here for
you.”


Thanks,
Manny.”


Come.” He extended his
arm, indicating the direction for her to take.


I’ve got
this.”

He blew out his breath. “Are you always this
damn difficult?” He watched her body droop and briefly puzzled over
it.

That wasn’t the first time
she’d been asked that. Difficult … that’s what her parents always
called her.
“Why must you be so
damned
difficult, Gabby?
Nothing is ever easy with you.”
Did
wanting to be independent mean she was difficult? Was trying to
tell your parents that someone did something terrible to you,
something so awful, it made you want to hide forever—was that being
difficult? Gabby hadn’t thought so, but apparently everyone else
had.

In a voice so quiet Kolson had to strain to
hear, she said, “I suppose I am. At least that’s what I’ve been
told.”


I can see that,” he said
dryly, as he escorted her out the door.

He lived in the penthouse of whatever
building they were in. Gabby didn’t care enough to pay attention.
All she wanted to do was get away from here. Kolson had different
ideas, though. She intrigued him, and that was a rare thing indeed.
They rode the elevator down in silence and he ushered her into the
waiting car. She gave the driver her address and when she got home,
she insisted on paying him.


Miss, it’s been taken
care of already.”


Then please give this to
whoever paid for it.”

The driver gave her an odd look, but would
not accept her money. After arguing with him for several minutes,
the driver finally said, “Miss, Mr. H. owns this company. He would
have my rear end if he knew I allowed you to pay for this.”


Oh. Well, thank you. It
was very kind of you to drive me home.” Gabby ducked her head and
got out of the car. Mr. H. must be Skippy. That’s why his apartment
had been so richly decorated. She didn’t let herself think any more
of him. She had a day’s worth of patients and had to see them with
a hangover. And all this was Danny’s fault. For once in her life,
Gabby wished she had the heart of a murderer, because she’d like to
kill Danny Martinelli for the way he had ripped her life
apart.

Chapter Three

 

 

Sam kept an eye on
Gabby and watched which building she entered.
Once he had her address, he called Mr. Hart.


Got it, Mr. H. 333 East
86th Street.”


Thank you, Sam.” Kolson
thought for a moment and realized that address was a piece of
property he had recently acquired.


Um, Mr. H., she tried to
pay me and I had to tell her it was your company.”


That’s fine,
Sam.”

Sam breathed a little easier. He didn’t like
it when his boss was displeased with him. Mr. H. was fair in
everything, but you didn’t want to piss him off. Ever since he left
his father’s business and started up his own, he was his own man,
ruled by no one. But Mr. H. was not to be trifled with. And if you
fucked him over in business, you might as well hand him your head
on a platter.


You still want me to
follow her?”


Yeah. I want to know
where she works.”


Got it, boss.”


And Sam. If you see
anything unusual, like someone harassing her, take care of it or
let me know.”


Sure thing, Mr.
H.”

Kolson hung up and was about to leave for
the office when he remembered to check the guest room. He wanted to
make sure the bed was unmade so his housekeeper would change the
sheets. That’s when he discovered that Gabby had left her wallet
behind. It must’ve fallen out of her purse. He opened it to see if
he could find a contact number. Instead he found a few dollars, a
couple of credit cards, and her driver’s license.

He quickly called Sam.


Mr. H.”


Sam, Gabby left her
wallet behind. Do you think you have time to get back here before
she’s ready for work?”


Yes, sir.”


Good. I’ll meet you out
front.”

 

# # #

 

Gabby dashed inside and got ready for work
in record time, opting to catch a cab to work. She didn’t notice
Sam following her.

The cab dropped her off on East 68th and she
sprinted up the steps of a small brownstone that held a sign
reading, Gabriella Martinelli, M.D., alongside two other names. But
when she got to the door, she extracted a folded-up piece of paper.
It wasn’t difficult for Sam to notice how shaken she was as she
looked at it.

Sam double-parked and was on Gabby’s heels.
He walked through the entrance and inside found three doors, each
leading to separate offices. One was a marriage counselor, one a
massage therapist and the third was Gabby’s. He opened the one with
Gabby’s name on it. When he walked in, Gabby nearly screamed.


Oh God! You frightened
me!”


I’m sorry, miss. That
wasn’t my intention. Are you all right?”

Her hand was at her throat and Sam couldn’t
help but notice how deathly pale her face was.

Gabby’s breath rasped through her lips as
she nodded. “Yes, I’m okay.” In her other hand, she clutched the
note from the door.


Mr. H. wanted me to give
this to you. He found it in his penthouse and he would’ve called,
but he didn’t have your number.”

As she reached for the wallet, her posture
relaxed slightly. “Oh, my goodness. Thank you. I was worried when I
went to pay the cab fare and couldn’t find my wallet. I was lucky
that I had some spare cash in my briefcase. What did you say your
name was?”


It’s Sam,
miss.”


Thank you, Sam.” She
attempted a smile but it came off more like a grimace.


Are you sure you’re
okay?”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Yes.
Please tell Mr. H. thank you.”


I will.”

Sam turned and walked out. As soon as he was
in his car, he picked up his phone and called Mr. Hart. “Found her.
Gabriella Martinelli, M.D., on East 68th Street. But she found a
note on her door and she appears to be real upset. When I went
inside to give her the wallet, she was pretty shaken up.”

Kolson hid his displeasure. But he was a
master at hiding his emotions. “But she was okay? There wasn’t
anyone with her?”


No, sir. She was
alone.”


Good. Nicely done, Sam.
At finding her office, I mean, and returning her
wallet.”

Sam smiled. “It was nothing, Mr. H. Want me
to do anything else?”


Yeah. I do. Tail her for
a couple days. But get a different car. I don’t want her to see
you. I want to know if anyone is bothering her. In other words,
look out for her, Sam.”


I’m on it.”

Sam headed over to HTS to exchange cars. In
the meantime, Kolson Googled Gabby and discovered she was a
psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist with some serious issues.
Maybe he should make an appointment with her and they could try to
one up each other. He let out a mirthless laugh. What was going on
in her life that had her so upset?

Kolson continued to dig for more on the
sweet doctor. Her credentials were damn good. Did her undergrad at
Princeton. Went to med school at Columbia in New York and residency
at NYU School of Medicine, mainly at Bellevue and finished a year
ago. Worked with sexual abuse victims and drug addicts. And this is
where Kolson perked up. He discovered she donated a lot of her time
and effort to Narcotics Anonymous and other organizations that
helped people with addictive disorders. Still was on staff at the
drug rehab program at Bellevue. And she also volunteered at a
women’s shelter.

It took a huge amount to impress Kolson, but
Dr. Martinelli had done just that—only she didn’t know it.

Gabby. Gabriella Martinelli. He suddenly
needed to know more.

Picking up the phone, he dialed a
number.


Tom Barrett.”


Tom, Kolson Hart
here.”


Mr. Hart. What can I do
for you?”


Tom, I need you to gather
some information for me.”


On a potential
client?”


In a manner of
speaking.”

Tom Barrett ran the security division of
Hart Transportation Service. Every employee had to be screened and
drug tested before they were hired. HTS had high-profile clients
and they had to ensure the safety of them, so only the most
reliable drivers where hired. Employees also signed nondisclosure
agreements so they couldn’t discuss their clientele.

Kolson said, “I need some information on a
Dr. Gabriella Martinelli.”


Certainly, sir. How soon
do you need it?”


Whenever you can collect
it.”

Tom Barrett knew better. That meant as soon
as possible.


No problem, sir. I can
get right on it.”


Very good, Tom. Oh, and
whatever information you find, send it directly to me. This is not
to be shared with anyone. Dr. Martinelli does not have an account
established yet. Are we clear?”


Absolutely, Mr. Hart.
Shall I send the file to you via courier, or would an electronic
one be okay?”


You can email it all to
me.”


Very good,
sir.”


Thanks, Tom.”

Kolson tossed his phone down and knew he
would have his information in a few days at the most. He decided to
have Sam stay on her and if everything seemed fine, then that would
be the end of it. That is, unless something showed up in her file,
or if Sam found someone harassing her. Things didn’t add up. Why
would she be so upset by a note and why did she get so damn loaded
last night? Some of the things she’d said indicated she was
frightened of someone. Kolson didn’t like that one bit. He usually
didn’t butt in, but for some reason, this situation had him worried
and he couldn’t put his finger on why.

BOOK: Freeing Her
9.6Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Out of Darkness by Price, Ruth
The Devil's Edge by Stephen Booth
The Spider's Web by Peter Tremayne
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith, Ryan Patrick Hanley, Amartya Sen
Michael by Kirby Elaine
Home by Julie Andrews
Killing Time by Andrew Fraser