Stolen Heart - By Bennett, Sawyer Page 0,21

just not ready to make the move. Usually burdened with immense fear and shame, they were too afraid to break away from their abusers. Annika would often spend weeks, meeting with and counseling the women. Building up their courage to make a run for it.

And tonight…Sheila Williams was ready. She had been with her boyfriend, Monty Shepard, for ten years. She had dropped out of high school at fifteen and moved in with him. He was a mid-level drug dealer who liked to frequently sample his own merchandise. The cocaine high made him mean, and Sheila was his favorite punching bag.

After spending over a year secretly earning her GED and meeting with Annika for support, she was ready to leave the bastard. Sheila needed the secrecy of Saving Grace. Monty was possessive and would probably stop at nothing to get her back if he found her. And if he couldn’t have her, he’d kill her.

Annika’s plan was for Sheila to stay at Saving Grace, until they could raise enough money for Sheila to leave New York and start a new life.

Annika’s cell phone beeped. She looked down and saw a text from Sheila: He’s gone.

That meant Monty was out for the night. He usually went out every night with his thug gang of drug dealers and didn’t return until the early morning hours. Still, Annika didn’t want to waste any time. She slipped on a light jacket, tucking her taser gun into the pocket, and walked out of her apartment. It was show time.

***

Patience paid off for Kieran. Rather than go into Itch to look for Annika, he decided to wait outside the back entrance to her apartment. He wanted to follow her again tonight. And there she was, looking just as adorable as she had the night before. She was dressed all in black and took off down the street on foot.

Kieran had experienced a rush of relief upon seeing her. He wasn’t so sure she would return to the First Dimension after she mysteriously disappeared last night. After the relief over seeing her settled in, he also felt an intense attraction settle into him as he watched her walk. She was sure and determined…a woman with purpose. That confidence was sexy as hell. And there was no sense in denying it. He wanted her again.

He had to admit that he was beyond fascinated by her. What type of lady, who led a posh lifestyle as a Royal, gave it all up to live in squalor and help women escape their abusers? Oh, she was tough on the outside but she clearly had some softness on the inside. Not that any of it was reserved for Kieran. Nope. He had her wrath, that was for sure and he had to figure a way to bust past it if they were going to be able to work together.

Which gave him an idea. Rather than just follow her tonight, he’d help her with whatever she had to do. And he wouldn’t give her a choice about it. He smiled internally to himself. Brilliant!

Stepping his pace up to a light jog, Kieran quickly caught up to Annika and fell into step beside her. She glanced to the left when she felt his presence, probably intent on just giving whatever person dared to encroach on her space an irritated glare. When she realized it was Kieran beside her, her eyebrows shot up in surprise and she actually stumbled. He reached out, grabbing her arm until she was steady on her feet. He shot her a blazing smile. She didn’t return it but put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

“What the hell are you doing here, Kieran?”

“Oh, out for a stroll. Fancy meeting you out here.”

Annika rolled her eyes at him. “I don’t believe for a minute you just happened upon me. You were following me,” she accused.

Kieran held up his hands. “Guilty as charged. But I’m not just following you. I want to help you with whatever you have to do tonight. So I can prove my trustworthiness to you.”

Annika snorted. “What makes you think I even want to trust you?”

“Well, you probably don’t, but I want you to trust me. I know I screwed up by threatening Saving Grace. I was hoping I could make it up to you.”

Annika looked at him for a moment, as if she was considering his offer. Then she shook her head. “No. Go back to your hotel, Kieran. I’ll come there after I