Page 40 of His Asset
Chapter Fifteen
Iwasn’t aware I’dbeen holding my breath, not until I knocked on Reuben’s door and it swung open.He stood inside, dressed in his fighting robe, and blinking at me as though he couldn’t quite believe his eyes.His rumpled blond hair was spiked, like he’d been running his hands through it, shadows darkening the skin under his eyes.“Bella.”
I plucked at the sleeve of Adam’s shirt, self-conscious and nervous.“Reuben.”
He smiled, his eyes softening.“What are you doing here?I mean, what happened?I know you didn’t sweet talk yourself away from Adam.Not so soon after he took you away.”He grimaced.“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
A part of me was rattled by his confession.While Adam would tear the world apart to find me, it sounded as though Reuben had already given up on me.
Reuben’s tone gentled.“Not that I would have stopped trying to get you back.Despite how I live, I have plenty of my own resources, people I trust in places no one would expect to find them.”
I crossed my arms.“I don’t doubt that.”
I’d seen the men under his command.Had ridden in his reinforced SUV.His network was powerful, his connections real enough.
Reuben stared at me for a beat.“If you had any idea of the shit Adam’s involved in, you’d run a mile.”He sucked in a breath.“Wait.Isthat why you’re running from him?”
I arched a brow even as my stomach clenched.But I didn’t say a word, didn’t commit to anything.Not until I trusted him completely.
At my silence, he added softly, forcefully, “I’m a man of the streets, Bella.I hear things that others don’t.”He shook his head and sighed heavily.“I guess none of that matters, not right now.We’ve got to get you someplace Adam won’t expect to find you.”
A dark SUV pulled up behind me and Reuben smirked as he threw out a hand.“I was about to leave for the biggest underground fight of the year.Looks like you’ll be coming with me.”
I shook my head.A fight was possibly the last thing I wanted to witness, but if Adam wasn’t already looking for me, he would be soon.The sooner I left the better.I brushed a hand down Adam’s oversized shirt.I was almost swimming in it.“I’m not exactly dressed—“
“You’re perfect,” Reuben said huskily.“You’d look gorgeous in a sack.”He laughed.“If cameras were allowed at this event, I’d bet you would have started a new women’s trend.”
Relief filled me.No cameras meant no exposure.I’d be safe.
I followed Reuben to the SUV.It was different from his usual reinforced vehicle, sleeker, more ordinary-looking from the outside, designed to blend in rather than intimidate.But the interior was still all black leather and tinted windows.
I slid across the smooth seat, Adam’s shirt riding up my jeans-clad thighs as Reuben settled beside me.The driver, a mountain of a man with scarred knuckles, didn’t even glance back at us through the partition.
Exhaustion hit me now that I wasn’t running anymore.The adrenaline that had carried me through my escape was finally draining away, leaving me hollow and shaky.I pulled Adam’s shirt tighter around me and leaned my head against the cool window.
“How far?”I asked, my voice coming out smaller than I intended.
“About an hour,” Reuben said.His hand found mine, warm and reassuring.“You can rest.You’re safe now.”