Page 2 of Hot Pursuit (Love To The Rescue #1)

Safe side? Was that possible in this situation? Don’t think about it. Focus on the good, an all-familiar voice in my head muttered, Focus on the cute guy talking to you. Don’t overthink it.

“Okay,” I whispered, closing my eyes for a moment.

“Hey, look at me. Please, princess.” I forced my eyes to do what he asked. “What’s your real name?”

“Vi,” I shared and shook my head, immediately regretting the sharp movement.

“It’s Violet. Actually, it’s Violeta.” I had no idea why I was getting so detailed.

“But sometimes people have a tough time pronouncing it, so I go with the English version, or hey you,” I joked, because that’s what I did when I was scared or nervous.

“Hey you?” His lips twitched. “I like that sexy sense of humor of yours.” Is he flirting back? Or am I more delusional than usual? I mean, if there was ever a time to be delulu about anything, this would be it. “That’s a fucking gorgeous name, baby. Tell me about you. Where were you headed before…”

“An electrical pole fell on my car?” I asked, and he was gracious enough not to wince.

“Exactly.” He grinned. There was something about his grin that made me relax. That felt familiar despite just having met him and the crazy adrenaline-induced situation.

“Home. I haven’t had a good day.” I shut my eyes and breathed in deeply, exhaling slowly.

“Why’s that?”

“I woke up late.”

“Hey, we’re human. That happens.”

“True, but it was because my roommate decided she didn’t feel like there was a need to pay the electricity since she’s going to be a movie star soon.

So, she decided to spend the money I gave her for utilities and rent on a new dress so she could hit the bar at NoBu and try to catch someone’s eye.

Mind you, all she’s ever been on is an extra in a foot cream commercial.

” I turned towards him. His eyes seemed to glitter with humor.

“And then what happened?”

“I got to work late, and my skeezy boss…”—I made a face—“didn’t like that.”

“I bet.”

“You do?”

“A minute later than I’d plan to see a beautiful woman like you? Yeah, that would ruin my day.” He was flirting. Is that flirting? Why did I live life so carefully, so cautiously, for it to end up like this?

“Well… that’s sweet, but he’s not. He piled on the work and then…” My hand rose to touch my forehead. I felt the scratch. My flesh was open, and my hands started to shake as my mind spun, wondering what that could look like. Oh god, the blood.

“Then what, babe?”

“I’m bleeding,” I whimpered. I breathed in through my nose. The scent of iron hit my nostrils, and I wanted to gag. I hated the smell of blood.

“I know, honey. Promise you, they’re working on getting you out of there.” I wanted to cling to the certainty in his voice.

“Please don’t let me die in here,” I found myself asking him softly. So softly I wasn’t sure I’d said it out loud, much less think he heard me.

It was unfair and totally inappropriate to put that on someone. Maybe I’d bumped my head harder than I’d thought because I didn’t care. I needed to hear that I’d get out. That I wouldn’t get fried up like a fly in a bug zapper.

“I won’t let that happen, princess. You have my word.” I opened my mouth and then shut it. “What did your skeezy boss do, Vi?” he changed the subject, and I appreciated him for it.

“He said if I didn’t meet him in his office after work, I’d be fired.”

“After work?” I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but I could have sworn he growled.

“Yeah… you probably get the idea of the kind of dictation he wanted me to take. So, I left.” My eyes fluttered shut.

The world felt like it was starting to spin. Like I was in one of those old merry-go-rounds you could still find in old parks around the city.

“I left early and probably lost my job.”

“Babe, open your eyes for me.”

“Vi.”

“What?”

“Vi, that’s my name.”

“I know, baby, you told me. That’s Spanish, right? That’s what you were telling me?”

“Hmm,” I grunted.

“Can you speak it?” His deep voice was calming. Like a balm that went past my skin, deep into my bones and tossed carefully over my soul.

“Fluently,” I whispered, opening my eyes again. I rested my head against the seat. His eyes were laser-focused on mine. “What’s your name? I mean your full name?”

“Logan. Logan Monroe.”

“That’s a really good name,” I said softly. My eyes closed again.

“Vi? Baby, I need you to open those pretty eyes for me.”

“Bet you say that to all the girls bleeding from their head,” I teased, and he coughed away his laughter.

“You making jokes makes me feel better.” I opened my eyes to look at him just as a guy in a fireman uniform approached him on his right while a paramedic flanked his left.

They spoke in hushed voices. I knew firsthand hushed tones were never a good sign. It almost felt like history repeating itself. But this time, I was the one inside the car. I wasn’t going to go there, even though I could feel it in my bones, whatever they were talking about wasn’t good.

“Vi! Babe, you doing okay?” I opened my mouth, but something sparked, and I jumped and winced. My head was killing me and my eyes felt heavy. The loud noises and sounds started to go quiet.

“Vi…” He stepped forward, and I blinked slowly just as he was forced to step back again thanks to the bright sparks.

I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open.

That’s when I had the most random thought ever. If there was ever a man, a person for me, I would have wished for him. Officer Hottie looked like he would know how to hold you. Shield you from the world and all of life’s cruel jokes.

Those were the last things I remembered thinking before suddenly, two more men appeared.

One in a cop uniform and another in fireman gear.

They surrounded Logan. Both shouting at him.

Then suddenly, everything started to move in slow motion.

But Logan’s attention wasn’t on them. Nope.

His deep soulful gaze was on me as sparks flew all around him.

And that was when the world when dark.