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Markus

Placing the beaten girl carefully on the backseat, I try to ignore Fallon’s continual questions.

“What did they do to her? How could they? Who are these people, and why did they not get her any help when she so obviously needs it?”

“Get in the other side and hold her head in your lap,” I order, instead of answering her questions, and thank fuck, Fallon listens for once. She climbs into the backseat, carefully lifts the girl’s head, and cradles it gently in her lap.

I get into the driver’s seat and start the car, wasting no time in getting the fuck out of here. We’re lucky we got out without there being a scene. Tony isn’t usually as understanding as he was today.

“Where is the closest hospital,” Fallon asks as I pull out of the empty parking lot.

“We can’t take her to a hospital-”

“What? You have to be kidding me. We have to. Do you not see how badly hurt she is? If we don’t, then this will have all been for nothing. She’ll die without a doctor.” I hate to tell her, but that’s what was going to happen to her anyway. I hit the gas and drive back toward the interstate. Every piece of my plan has been put into place. Now I have to see if Fallon falls into line as well.

“I guess you’re holding her life in your hands then.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I grip the wheel hard. “Give me the number, Fallon. Give it to me, and I’ll get her help. I’ll have the best doctor in town come to the apartment.”

Fallon snorts. “You’re joking…”

I catch her shocked gaze in the rearview mirror. “Nope, that’s the deal.”

“Do you even know what you are asking? You want me to choose between Julie’s life and my sister’s.” She shakes her head, looking utterly defeated, and I hate myself for doing this to her, but it’s the only way. She’s too stubborn to put her trust in me. It’s either I force her or nothing.© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

“Either way, I’ll be responsible for someone’s death.”

“I’m asking you to trust me, Fallon. Save Julie’s life, so I can save your sister’s.”

I can see the turmoil she’s going through; it’s etched into the contours of her face. She’s conflicted, scared, but most of all, she doesn’t trust me.

“Markus, please, don’t do this.” Her voice is shaky and full of emotion, like she is about to cry. “Don’t make me choose. I can’t choose. I can’t.”

“It’s not a choice, you can save them both. All you have to do is give me the number.” My voice takes on a gentle tone, a tone that I’ve never used, not even once in my life.

Silence stretches between us for so long, I’m worried she might actually refuse. If she does, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I guess my next resort will be threatening Julie as fucking shit as that sounds.

“Fine, I’ll give it to you, but you have to promise… promise you’ll help me save both of them. I don’t care what happens to me when this is over, but I want both of them to be safe.”

She’s so selfless, so fucking caring, it’s insane. She would gladly take a bullet for this girl, even though she hardly knows her. That single attribute makes me want her all the more.

“I promise I’ll help you in any way I can.”

“Okay.” She nods in defeat. “I’ll tell you.”

“I’m going to trust you and call the doctor now,” I’ll tell her, mostly because I don’t know if this girl is going to make it if I don’t get the doctor there as soon as possible, but I’m definitely not telling Fallon that.

“When we get back to my place, you’re going to write the right number on a piece of paper. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt here, don’t fucking play with me again. I’ll send the doctor away faster than I called him and bring her back to the auction place to die in the basement. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

I get my phone out and dial one of the doctors we have on call. He answers on the second ring, almost like he was expecting a call. He agrees to come right away, no questions asked.

He better, for what I’m going to pay him.

Fallon remains quiet for the remainder of the drive.

The only sounds filling the cab are the quiet hum of the engine and the occasional whimper coming from the half-dead girl lying on my backseat. If I didn’t have Fallon with me, I would’ve killed the girl just to put her out of her misery. I can only imagine what she’s been through, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was keen to the thought of death. Hell, when all this is over, she just might try and do it anyway.

After what seems like an eternity, we arrive at the penthouse. I park in my spot, cut the engine, and get out of the car. Walking around quickly, I open the door where Fallon is sitting. She carefully gets out while keeping Julie’s head cradled in her hands. I pass Fallon the car key before I awkwardly pull the girl’s body out and lift her into my arms. A bag of flour weighs more than this girl does.

“Close the door and lock the car,” I command.

“I’m surprised you trust me with the key,” Fallon points out but does as she is asked. “What if I were to try and take off now?”

She’s not dumb enough to do that.

“I know you wouldn’t leave Julie behind. Now type in the code,” I grumble once inside the elevator. She types in the numbers I rattle off, her hand shaking, and before I know it, the elevator is sailing north. As soon as the doors open, I carry Julie straight to the guest bedroom.

Fallon is following me like a shadow. With great gentleness, I place Julie’s beaten body on the bed, and even the soft mattress seems to cause her discomfort. Her face distorts into anguish, and a pained cry rips from her throat. The sound is coarse, and one I know she has made a thousand times over given how badly beaten she is.

Standing up, I scan her body for any life-threatening injuries. Every inch of her skin is either covered in dirt, bruises, cuts, or dried blood. She is a mess, a disaster, and I know she’d be better off dead at this point, but for once in my life, I’m going to do the right thing. I’m going to help someone.

Turning to Fallon, I say, “Why don’t you get a washcloth and start to clean her up a bit while we wait for the doctor.”

Fallon disappears into the attached bathroom, and I hear the water running a moment later. Walking back out into the hallway, I grab a piece of paper and a pen from the entryway table. It’s time for her to uphold her end of the bargain.

When I return to the room, Fallon is already running a washcloth over Julie’s forehead and cheeks. She’s watching her with hawk eyes; the concern she has for this girl is everlasting.