“Talk to me, Talin; what’s going on?”
“The moment I saw her, everything was different. My legs almost gave out and I couldn’t breathe. It was like someone socked me in the gut. I can’t explain it. But I need her to be safe.”
I blink as the cashier continues to ring up my items. I know exactly what Talin’s talking about. I felt that exact same thing when I saw Yoreli. I kept my distance from her as she was fifteen, almost sixteen. I hope that by the time I see her again, she’s at least legal.
“Talk to Dad about that.” Saves me having that conversation. I sure as shit don’t want to bring it up that I was having inappropriate thoughts of a fucking teenager. “In the meantime, you are to let both Cohen and Greg run point. You are there for backup.”
“John…”
I cut him off. “I’m not saying this to be an asshole, Tal; I’m saying this because you’re not going to be able to give it your full attention like you should. You’ll still protect her, just let the other’s take point.”
I can feel someone staring at me; I turn just as the cashier is bagging my items. My breath is taken from me as I stare at the saddest pale blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Something sparks inside of me as I stare at this gorgeous blonde woman. Her foot is tapping like I’m irritating her. I bite back my smile but then I scowl after she ducks her head when she sees me looking at her, and I’m pretty sure that I see shame in her eyes before she hides them from me
“Fine,” Talin says, pulling my thoughts away from the woman behind me. “I’ll talk to you later.”
I ended the call and the woman lifts her head and I see recognition in her eyes. Do I know her? I feel as though we’ve met before, but I can’t remember where. I turn back to the cashier and hand her my card.
I put my cell into my pocket and take the card back from the cashier and reach for my bag. I glance over my shoulder as I move toward the exit. The beautiful blonde woman glances up at me, and it’s then I see the bruises that mar her skin at her neck. Fucking finger marks. Someone’s tried to strangle her. My anger rises and before I do something stupid like pull her out of the store with me and demand to know who put their hands on her, I turn my head and exit the store.
I make it a few feet outside and come to a halt beside my car. There’s something about that woman that gets to me; I feel like I know her from somewhere, and yet I can’t quite put my finger on where or how I know her.
She walks out of the store, her head down as she hurries toward her car. I’m able to get a good look at her. She’s slender, maybe too skinny, her cheekbones are prominent and her clothes are too baggy for her small frame. Her bruises dark against her pale complexion, but it’s the absolute fear on her face that makes my gut wrench. She climbs into her sleek car and starts the engine. When she turns to stare at me as she drives by, it clicks. I realize who I’m staring at.
Yoreli Maine.
Fuck.
I grab my cell and call Zeke. “Hey, I need you to find the owner of a Bugatti Chiron Sport.” I rattle off the tag plates as she pulls away.
He lets out a low whistle. “Damn, someone’s got taste.”
“Find me an address,” I demand.
“On it, boss.”
I hang up and just stare as the reality of what I’ve just witnessed settles in. The bruises that mar her skin and the fearful look in her eyes tells me that she’s being mistreated. I’m going to find her. I’m going to make sure that she’s okay and if anyone is hurting her, I’m going to make sure that it won’t happen again. I’ll kill anyone who harms her.
I call my dad. “Hey son,” he answers cheerfully.
“I found her.”
There’s silence for a beat; he knows who I’m talking about. He’s not a stupid man and he knows there’s something up with me and her. “Talk to me.”
“She’s got fucking finger marks around her neck. She’s been strangled. Fucking strangled. They're fresh, maybe a day old.” I’m seething right now.
His sharp intake of breath is enough to let me know just how fucking irate he is.
“I’m going to find her,” I tell him. “I can’t sit back any longer.” I won’t fucking sit back and let her be mistreated.
I hear his long sigh. “Son, what’s going on? Talk to me.”
“I’m not sure. The moment I saw her, there was something about her. I felt it in my gut. I’ve not been able to get her off my mind.”
“That’s how I felt when I saw your mom, and from what Talin says, what he feels when he looks at Megan,” he tells me and I feel relief.
Well, at least we’re not fucking insane.
“She’s young, John.”