The Daddy and The Dom - Julia Sykes Page 0,20

Marco’s keys where he kept them hanging in a neat row. Once I got into the BMW, I could get off the estate. I’d ram my way through the gates if I had to.

I picked up my flats, deciding to carry them so I could walk across the marble floor of the foyer without making any noise. I wasn’t sure where Marco and Joseph were, but at least one of them would be in the house. Probably Joseph. Marco often left to go into the city to deal with his business.

How could I have forgotten what that business was? Marco and Joseph were criminals, and last night, they’d revealed their true, depraved nature.

I tiptoed down the stairs on bare feet. As I descended, I could make out the rumble of their voices emanating from the kitchen.

They were both here.

My heart hammered against my ribcage as adrenaline surged. If they caught me, I’d be helpless in their strong arms. I wouldn’t be able to escape them.

I got to the front door and turned the knob slowly. The latch slid back silently.

I didn’t dare close the door behind me in case it made noise, so I left it cracked.

I shivered as soon as the chilled autumn air hit my exposed skin, but I broke into a run. My feet sank into the grass as I tore around the side of the house, making my way toward the garage.

Luck was with me, because I didn’t hear sounds of pursuit. I reached the garage without incident, and I slipped in the side door. I found the BMW keys on their designated peg, in their neatly organized place.

I rushed to the car and cranked the engine to life. The garage door seemed to take an eternity to lift open, but eventually, there was enough space for me to hit the gas. In my haste to get away, the tires squealed against the asphalt, but I was already in the safety of the car. I sped around the house and headed for the long driveway that led out of the estate.

The front door to the house burst open, revealing Joseph and Marco. Their shouts followed me down the driveway, and I saw them running in the rearview mirror. They weren’t running after me. That would be futile. They were headed toward the garage, likely to get their own vehicle to pursue me.

I pressed my foot down on the gas pedal, increasing my speed.

In a matter of minutes, the gates appeared before me. They weren’t pretty, wrought iron gates; they were solid steel.

My heart jumped into my throat, but I didn’t have a choice.

I screamed as I barreled toward the barrier between me and freedom. I caught sight of the red Porsche in my rearview, and I firmed my resolve.

A shockwave hit my body when the car smashed into the gates. The hood of the car crumpled, and the airbag deployed. Pain burst through my head just before the world flickered around me.

The car door was wrenched open, and Joseph’s panicked voice penetrated my pained haze as he freed me from my seatbelt.

“Ashlyn,” he rasped. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” He repeated it several times, sounding as though he was trying to convince himself as much as reassure me.

His arms closed around me, and he lifted me up. The world spun as he moved my body, and I groaned when pain spiked through my head.

“Shit, shit.” That was Marco’s voice. “I’m calling a doctor. Get her back to the house.”

Something warm and wet trickled down my cheek, and my forehead stung.

I closed my eyes against the spinning world, falling into darkness.

Everything was soft and warm. I was floating.

“Give her more,” Marco demanded. “She’s hurt.”

“She’ll be fine,” a strange man’s voice said. “I can’t give her any more painkillers. She’ll have a headache when she wakes up, but she’s okay.”

I hummed my contentment, happy to continue floating.

I recognized the feel of both their hands gripping mine; Joseph on my right, Marco on my left.

Reassured, I sank into the warmth.

My throat was dry, and my head ached. I stirred with a groan.

“Here. Drink this.”

I kept my eyes closed, but I knew it was Marco who propped me up and Joseph who held the glass to my lips. I gratefully gulped down the water.

“Open your mouth,” Joseph commanded when he pulled the glass away.

I complied with that order, too.

Something small and round dropped onto my tongue, and the glass returned to my lips.

“Swallow it. You’ll feel better soon.”

I did as I