As though he would do what he had to, no matter what her views were.
Great. Just great. She backed up against the wall.
“You’re not drugging me,” she stated.
“We might have to if you can’t take the drive, certainly when we get close to—”
“Uh, boss, let me, yeah?” Webb interjected.
Zander looked confused, but nodded.
“Look, I know you don’t know any of us, but nobody will hurt or touch you while you’re sedated.”
“That’s what she’s worried about?” Zander demanded. “That we’d touch her while she was unconscious?”
“Yeah, boss. That’s what she’s worried about,” Webb told him, not taking his gaze off her. His dark brown eyes moved over her body, taking in all the bruises, the red, raw marks around her wrists that she hoped like hell wouldn’t leave any permanent scars.
“Of course we wouldn’t do that. You have my word,” Zander told her.
Right. And his word was all she needed. She gaped at him. Was he for real?
Webb cleared his throat, drawing her attention.
“Again, she doesn’t know us well enough to take you at your word, boss.”
Zander let out an irritated noise. “What kind of lowlife would touch a woman without her consent, let alone when she’s unconscious?”
She crossed her arms over her body as though trying to protect herself. It didn’t much help. She still felt dirty. Had Carl done something to her while she was asleep? Bile filled her mouth, and she had to swallow it down.
Urgh. Gross.
“What sort of lowlife indeed,” Webb murmured.
In another lifetime, maybe she would have been best friends with Webb. Or even Honey. But life was so fucking unfair that she couldn’t let down her guard with anyone.
Then Zander stepped in front of her, and her body seemed to go into overdrive.
She guessed in that alternate reality, she might be with someone like Zander.
Gorgeous. Strong. Somewhat insane.
Well, who needed sane, right? That could be a little too boring for her.
Although there were times when she thought she could do with a bit more boring in her life. She’d never had that. Never had normal. What even was normal? Were there really families like those ones on TV?
“Little Thief, listen to me.”
She glared at him. “Don’t call me that.”
His shoulders relaxed. “That’s better.”
“What’s better?”
“You staring at me with anger rather than looking so . . . defeated.”
“I’m not defeated.” She was down, not out. Well, she’d nearly been out. She’d been fully prepared to give herself to Bartolli to save Eden.
“You’re sure Eden is all right?” She chewed at her lip.