Chapter 9
Elena wanted to collapse.
Her body begged for it.
The leather seat was warm. The coat around her shoulders was heavy. The monitor-like rhythm of rain and tires almost lulled her toward shock.
But fear kept her awake.
Matthew remained beside her, one arm no longer around her but close enough to shield if the car jolted again. He had withdrawn the moment the immediate bumping stopped, giving her space without abandoning position.
She noticed.
She hated that she noticed everything about him.
The driver took another curve.
“Five minutes to the secure interchange.”
Matthew’s eyes flicked to him.
Elena caught the phrase.
“Secure interchange?”
The driver did not answer.
Matthew did.
“A place to change routes.”
“Routes to where?”
He looked at her.
“Somewhere they cannot follow easily.”
“Your house?”
“No.”
“Police station?”
“No.”
Her throat tightened.
“Then where?”
“Somewhere with doctors and locks I control.”
She stared.
“That does not sound reassuring.”
“It is not meant to sound like anything. It is meant to keep you alive.”
Elena’s eyes burned.
“I am tired of men deciding where I go.”
Matthew went still.
Then, quietly, “You’re right.”
The simple admission disarmed her.
He leaned forward.
“Driver, after the interchange, we give her three options.”
The driver’s eyes flicked in the mirror.
“Yes, sir.”
Elena blinked.
“Options?”
Matthew counted them calmly.
“Hospital with public intake. Private medical site with no public record unless you request one. Or a neutral hotel under a name no one knows yet while we contact whoever you choose.”
She stared at him.
“You would let me choose?”
“Yes.”
“What if I choose to get out right now?”
Matthew looked through the rain-dark window, then back at her.
“I would advise against it.”
“But?”
His jaw tightened.
“But I would not drag you back into this car.”
Elena’s breath caught.
The words entered somewhere deeper than trust.
Choice.
Not rescue.
Choice.
Behind them, the pursuing SUV disappeared briefly around a curve.
Then its headlights returned, distant but present.
Matthew saw them.
His expression hardened again.
May you like
The road still had not released her.
Read Chapter 10 👉 Because Matthew offered Elena choices, but the headlights behind them proved the night was not finished.
