Chapter 54
Adrian groaned dramatically, “By the time the ambulance gets here, I’ll have bled out! Is Mr. Vaughn trying to finish me off?”
Seeing how urgent Adrian’s condition was, Selene was in no mood to argue with Felicity any longer.
“Get down. Stop dawdling and quit your complaining!”
“But if something happens-”
Before Felicity could finish, a sudden, invisible pressure seemed to wrap around her, pinning her in place. She met Selene’s gaze, and a chill ran straight down her spine. For a moment, perching on the motorcycle, she nearly lost her balance.
She had never felt such an oppressive, unsettling aura from Selene before. It left her skin prickling with unease.
“Selene, don’t be reckless,” Felicity warned, her voice wavering.
“Come on, Felicity, since when did you get so fussy?” Selene shot back. “That’s not
lib
you at all.”
Felicity pursed her lips. If Selene had a death wish, she wasn’t going to stand in the way. Maybe a good crash would teach her a lesson–broken nose, shattered teeth, the whole package.
She climbed off the bike.
Selene held out her hand. “Keys.”
Felicity tossed her the keys without looking; Selene caught them effortlessly.
Turning to Luke Holloway, Selene said, “Luke, could you take Daph to the hotel first?”
Daph shook her head. “I want to go to the hospital. I’m worried about Mr. Shaw, even if I can’t really help…”
Adrian managed a gentle smile. “As long as you’re there, Daph, the pain won’t bother me.”
Selene gave Luke a new instruction. “Please take Daph to the hotel.”
Luke nodded and led Daph toward his SUV.
“Daph!” Harrison called after her. “Come here, sweetheart.”
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Chapter 64
Daph’s dark eyes locked on him, wary, like a small animal ready to bolt. She shook her head. “Dad, what do I have to do to finally be free of you?”
Harrison felt as if the ground had dropped out from beneath him, gravity dragging him down in a sickening rush.
“Daph, why would you say that?!”
Her face was clouded with sadness. Adrian was hurt because he’d tried to save her, and the one who’d fired the shot was Dames–her own brother, bound by blood.
She was too young to know how to cope with the storm of emotions prèssing down on her
Luke scooped Daph into the car.
Harrison turned away, trying to hold himself together.
Selene straddled the bike and glanced back at Adrian. “Mr. Shaw, hold on tight. I’ll get you to the hospital–fast.”
Adrian’s voice was barely a whisper. “Forgive me, Miss Thompson.”
His strong arms encircled Selene’s slender waist. He lowered his thick lashes, holding his breath without even realizing it. For a moment, the pain in his back seemed to vanish. He would have bled dry for this he almost didn’t care.
From across the lot, Harrison watched Adrian’s hands tighten around Selene’s waist. His temples throbbed and his fists clenched until the veins stood out.
Felicity
“Selene, be careful! Don’t wipe out!” Felicity shouted after her.
“If
you can’t do it, just let me drive!” Felicity started forward, but Selene revved the engine, blasting her with exhaust before speeding away with Adrian.
Dames stared, wide–eyed. “Mom can ride a motorcycle?!”
Felicity scoffed, spitting twice to clear her mouth. Hands on her hips, she muttered, “Your mom always has to prove herself. Never thinks about anyone else.”
She hurried after Harrison,
“Selene took my bike. Harrison, give me a ride home,” she demanded.
He stopped, his icy gaze cutting straight through her, making the hairs on her arms stand on end.
“Stay away from Dames for a while.”
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Chapter 54
Felicity bristled. “What, you think I’m a bad influence now?”
Dames stood off to the side, head hanging, lost and uncertain.
Felicity shot him a look, then turned to Harrison. “Dames never meant to hurt Daph. He was just trying to help you.”
Dames gazed at Harrison, desperate for approval–something only Felicity seemed to understand.
But Harrison’s cold stare made Dames shrink back. “Come with me to the hospital. You’re going to apologize to Daph.”
