Page 57 of Beautiful Trauma

As I edged closer to the front of the library, I kept my eyes peeled for the car that Callum had requested for me. When my gaze landed on it, I sat up straighter in the seat.

After pulling up behind it, I put the Porsche in park. Turning to Mila, I said, “We have to change cars now. I want you to stay here while I get the new car. Okay?”

Instead of replying, she continued staring straight ahead. I squeezed her hand. “I promise that no one is going to hurt you.”

Silence once again met me. After releasing her hand, I reached to open the door when she whispered, “Be safe.”

I threw a glance over my shoulder. “I will.”

After exiting the car, I glanced around. Carjacking in broad daylight in a busy area was not easy. I knew if this was going to work, I had to sweeten the pot.

With my gun in my pants pocket, I approached the car. When I reached the driver’s side, I waved at the guy. “Are you here for Patrick Pearse?” I asked, giving him the alias Callum made up.

He glanced at his phone before replying. “Yeah, I am.”

“Do you see that Porsche behind you?”

The man peered into his rear view mirror. “What about it?”

I held the key fob out to him. “I want you to trade cars with me.”

He stared at me in disbelief. “You’re acting the maggot, mate,” he replied.

Of course he thought I was crazy. What person possibly sane would trade a shiny Porsche for a Toyota.

In a way I was glad he hadn’t agreed. I didn’t want any harm coming to him from Brian if he was caught in the Porsche.

I eased my gun out of my pocket and flashed it at him. “All right. You don’t have to take the Porsche, but you are going to give me your car.”

“And then what’s going to happen when I do that?”

Since I didn’t want any harm to come to him from Brian, I said, "In about an hour, you’ll receive a link to your phone for a wire transfer for ten thousand dollars.”

“You’re joking.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” When he shook his head, I replied, “Now get out of the fucking car and give me your keys, or this is not going to end well for you!”

To his credit, the guy didn’t argue with me anymore. He took the keys out of the ignition and handed them over to me before stepping out of the car. Without another word to him, I went back to get Mila.

When the guy caught sight of her wrapped in the sheet, horror flashed across his face. “What the fuck are you doing with her?”

Before I could respond, Mila replied, “He’s saving my life. Just like he saved me from being raped today.”

As I stared at her in shock, the man muttered under his breath. “Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph.”

After easing Mila into the passenger seat, I hurried around the front of the car. “Thanks again,” I replied before peeling out of the spot.

Once I got us en route to Ballymum, I turned to Mila. “Thanks for having my back with that guy.”

“I was just telling the truth.”

“I know. And I appreciated it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Although I smiled at her, she didn’t return it, so I turned my focus back to getting us to safety. When we reached the destination, I chose the first hotel I came to.

When I put the car in park, I turned to Mila. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”