Page 96 of Arranged Control

“Sorry, but no. I am the dentist. This is my drill.” She pats something at her hip.It must be her gun. “You must suffer, but in the long run, you will thank me. I will save you from these men. I will not let you make the mistakes that I made.”

“What are you talking about? Whoareyou?”

She steps closer. In that moment, two things happen.

The door slams open behind me. And the clouds move back from the moon.

Light streams in through the opening. She’s close enough now that her face is visible. I stare at her, catching a glimpse, my eyes going wide and my heart going wild, as my mouth drops open.

Pointy nose. Narrow eyes. Blonde hair. Pretty, but older. Probably in her fifties.

Seamus’s voice slams into the back of my head like a hammer. “Alina! Get down!” He comes storming over to me right as Molchanie turns away, her blonde braid flying across her back. Seamus reaches my side and pushes me behind him as he kneels and aims his gun.

“Wait!” I scream but he’s already shooting. Molchanie disappears into the back of the building.

“Stay here,” Seamus says and runs after her. But he only makes it to the entrance of the storage area. Instead of following, I watch him visibly struggle with the decision. But he pulls himself away, cursing as he hurries back to my side. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Seamus, how did you know?”

“I followed you. I was too fucking slow though. Forgot the damn address and drove around in circles.” He grips my arm tightly. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“I had to talk to her. I had to do it.”

“She could’ve killed you.”

“But she didn’t. She doesn’t want to kill me. She just wants…” I trail off, shaking my head. Whatdoesshe want? I don’t even know at this point. Something about keeping me away fromcrime family men like Seamus. Something about avoiding her mistakes.

But that’s not bothering me.

“Come on. I’m taking you home. We can talk about it there.”

No, that isn’t bothering me at all.

Seamus pulls me along. I stagger after him. My head’s reeling as I think back on that glimpse of Molchanie’s face.

Her voice… those eyes, that nose, her chin…

“I need to go home,” I say out on the sidewalk.

“That’s where we’re headed.”

“No, not to my place. I need to go to my father’s place.”

He shakes his head. “Not tonight.”

“Seamus.” I tug back against him. “Listen to me. Please. Take me to my father’s place. It’s important. I’ll explain after, but right now, please do it.”

He stares at me. I can tell he doesn’t like this. I already went against him by coming here.

But I see something else in his face. Something I didn’t expect.

It’s trust. Real trust. Even though it hurts him.

“I’ll take you, but I’m staying nearby.”

“Good.” I touch his face. “Thank you.” I kiss him.

My life is about to change.