Page 22 of Severed By Vengeance

She violently shook her head, trying to withdraw from my outstretched hand, but I wasn’t about to leave her here again. Not when the potential threats could still be lurking somewhere in my home. I yanked her up and pulled her into an empty kitchen, where we were met with another bloody trail leading into my mud room and out the back door, but there was no perp in sight. The entryway revealed similar findings. Both men had hauled ass, but I knew they’d be back. If not them, others. We weren’t safe.

“Help me find my phone. We need to get help.”

“No!” She backed up into a wall, letting her body slide to the floor. “You can’t. That’s how they found me. A fucking dirty cop sold me out!”

I knelt in front of her, confused as hell. “Slow down. What are you talking about? Who sold you out?”

“Dmitry Belov’s men knew exactly where to find me. They know I’ve been feeding you all information.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “They told me it was some piece of shit cop. I won’t go back, Eva. I won’t. And if you call them, I’ll leave… but then I’ll probably be dead by morning.”

Rubbing my hands into my hairline, I tried to digest everything she was saying. What if she was telling the truth? Had Belov paid off one of my colleagues?

I shot to my feet. “Rayne, we have to get out of here. They know you’re here, and it’s only a matter of time before they return.”

“I already told you I won’t go to the cops.”

I pulled her frail frame off the floor. “Fine, but we need to go. Now. I might know someone who can help.”

It was her turn to draw her brows together. “Who?” she asked as I hauled her through my kitchen.

“I’ll explain on the way. Just trust me, okay?” I was careful to avoid the pools of blood as we moved through the dark house.

“Grab those keys, and get in the Audi. I’ll be right out.”

She hesitated for a beat before nodding and disappearing into the mudroom. For a crazy moment, the thought of going to Derek crossed my mind. But it was a lapse in judgment to appease and sway Rayne. Derek was out of the question. I wouldn’t involve him. I needed to take her to the precinct, despite her refusal.

My belly wobbled at the thought of Derek, and I shook my head, disgusted with myself for feeling even slight twinges of attraction after being attacked and nearly sexually assaulted just minutes ago.

“Get it together, Eva.” I packed my kit and extra supplies and rushed out the door. I’d worry about clothes and underwear later.

* * *

Rayne leaned her head against the glass of the passenger side window.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I should have never brought those men to your door. I just didn’t know where else to go. You’re the only person I trust.”

I offered a faint smile. “I’m glad you came to me. I told you I’d always be there for you, and I meant it.”

In my peripheral, I saw her turn toward me. “Fuck, Eva, you’re hurt.”

The right side of my face was still throbbing, and my lip stung like a bitch, but she didn’t need to know that. “It’s just a small cut. Nothing major. Plus, I punched him in the dick. And his wasn’t even the first.” Two bruised dicks in a day had to be a record of some sort.

I couldn't see, but I sensed she cracked a smile.

There was a brief moment of silence before she exhaled and fidgeted in her seat. It made her look every bit like that scared, emaciated girl from four years ago. While she’d come far from her life on the street, Rayne was still miles from where I thought she’d be. The way I’d hoped back when I was a naive cop who thought I could change the world just by caring. The hard truth was I couldn’t save everyone. Sometimes, the demons won.

“Eva, where are we going?” I bit the inside of my mouth, afraid of her reaction to the truth. But I had to tell her. Once I reached the city, she’d know. “Eva?”

“Rayne, you have to understand. I have to report this. It’s my job.”

She clawed at the door handle until the door popped open. I reached out and fisted her hoodie. “What are you doing?”

“I told you I can’t go to the cops. I can’t believe you’re selling me out too.”

She yanked her arm, trying to break my grip, but I held tight, the car swaying as I fought to multitask.

“That’s not what I’m doing. I’m trying to help you. Close the goddamn door.”

“You’re going to get me killed.”