The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Three

POV Noah

I continued to glance at the random girl I found on the side of the road like she was some frail treasure that would c***k. I don’t know how, but talking with her was nice. It was…peaceful and I wasn’t angry about it whatsoever. Most girls annoy me and try to get in my pants the minute they know I race cars for a living, but she seemed more excited about the sport than the driver. Refreshing.

I drove like this for hours, glancing over at the random faces she’d make or the small noises that fell from her lips as I tried to figure out how she got so…beat up.

Then, shortly before I made it to the town limit, my phone buzzed and I glanced at the screen. Another call from one of the guys. I know I’ve been…interesting the last couple of years, but this is ridiculous. I took a little detour to get my mind off of things. The end. F*ck off!

Also, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have found Holly.

I mean, it’s obvious she is running from someone. I just hope it does come back to bite me in the ass. I have too much heat on me already. Playboy, Ice King, whatever else they came up with to drag me in the mud. To make me look like the villain. I don’t mind any image that gets people away from me, but if I add a battered girl showing up out of nowhere, my PR team will have a heart attack.

My phone buzzed again, and I rolled my eyes before answering it through my ear piece. “What?” I mumbled quietly through the mic.

“Dude! What’s taking so long? You have to get back here and practice, or next month’s heat will be a wash.” Zander shouted through the line, making me lower the volume. I'm sure anyone could hear him from space. Holly didn't need to be one of them.

“Don’t you have a class to prepare for?” I hissed.

“I do, but it’s not as important as making sure I get to kick your a*s a few times around the tarmac before your big race comeback.”

“Yeah, you can wait.” I added sharply.

Just as Zander was about to attempt a response, Holly started shifting. Her muffled whimpers started to turn louder as I pulled into a hotel. I thought I was being quiet! What the hell do I do now?!

“What’s that?” Zander said, and one thing came to mind immediately. Hanging up the phone. That, as he put it, was none of his business, but she was definitely having a nightmare. I’d know.

POV Holly

“Ryan, please let me go!” I screamed into nothing as Ryan’s face came into view. That sickening smile coating his lips and warning me for what’s to come.

“Now why would I do that? You know I love to hear you scream, Holly. Come on, scream. It’s not like anyone is going to come and get you.” He cackled as the whip made contact with my skin. I bit my lip, holding back the urge to comply and he roared with rage. “Scream, d*mnit!” The white hot pain from the cuts touching the alcohol he spilled over my head was enough to bring me to my knees, but I kept my legs upright and shaking as I spit a pool of blood towards him.

Why does this feel so real? The last time I checked, I had gotten away. I was free.

“Holly?”

“F*ck you, Ryan!” I screamed again, and Ryan’s laughter drowned out any hope I had of relief.

“Holly!” Another voice called, startling me out of the horrible nightmare and thrusting me back into reality where a gut wrenching scream followed. “Are you alright?” Noah asked, looking me over. I must really look like a crazy person now.

I slowly turned to him as he continued to stare right at me. I gulped, wiped the sweat from my brow and adjusted my slouched frame. I glanced down at my hands and saw a bit of blood. Great, now I was dirtying his car too. “What are you doing?” I hissed, trying my best to focus on the environment around me. “Where are we?”

“We are at the hotel in Canterwood. As promised.”

I climbed out of the car and shifted my stiff body as he stepped out of my way. I glanced at my body with a subtle surprise. I guess it wasn’t a bad thing to trust the random dude I found on the side of the road. As promised, we made it to the right location and I was at a hotel. That’s a start. I pulled my duffle out of the trunk, but he took it from me without a word. I raised a brow, watching him walk inside the front door.

A woman looked up from her computer and her eyes lit up as she saw Noah standing in front of her. She immediately leaned over to press her chest up for display. Seriously? “How can I help you today, sir?”

“She needs a room.” He clipped.

The woman’s eyes darted to me and I could tell she was sizing me up for some reason. “For the pair of you?” She hissed and the sultry tone she had before was starting to fade.

Noah rolled his eyes. “No.” He answered flatly.

That one word had her perking up a bit. “I don’t think she can afford such a place.” I looked around the lobby and the glittering chandeliers, subtle background music and spotless marble floors was enough for me to reluctantly agree with her.

Noah raised a brow and pulled a card out of his wallet. Slipping the small piece of paper over the desk he leaned closer to her. “I don’t think she will have an issue. Make it affordable.” He ordered and the girl’s face flushed.

“I…I mean, yes, sir.” As she typed on the keyboard, he continued to stare her down. “I can make it down to $150 a night. Is that alright Mr.Canterwood?”

Canterwood? The hell? Isn’t that the name of this town?

He turned to me and I could tell what he was asking without a word. I yanked him over to me, having him skip a step. “I can’t cover that.” I hissed and he adjusted his suit.

“I can see what I can do, but…free is not possible. We are not running a charity case.”

“I’m not asking for one.” I whispered back harshly. “Just looking at this place, it’s more than what I’m interested in staying in. I will be here for a while and my money needs to stretch. Paying more per week here than I did per month on rent before is not going to work.”

He sighed heavily and grabbed my arm as he walked out of the hotel, completely ignoring the woman calling for him at the desk.

“Where the hell are you taking me?! Let go!” I shouted, hoping someone would notice, but that was the least of my problems. I opened my mouth again! He's already angry with me! I should know when to stay quiet! Nice going Holly.

When he finally let me go, I gasped and immediately shrunk into a ball kneeling on the ground. “Holly?” He said softly but I shook my head.

“I'm s-sorry.” I whispered hoarsely and silence followed. That is the scariest part! Just hit me already.

Noah's frame sat in front of me and I flinched back as he gently grazed his fingers over my cheek. “I'm not going to hurt you, Holly. I just didn't want that girl’s judgey face to continue to taint my mood.”

I slowly looked up at him as the shaking eased. “W-what?”

He groaned and rubbed his hand through his hair. “No, that’s not what I meant.” He huffed again and looked up to the sky like it would have the words for him. “Look, I might know a place.”

“Know a place? And what might that be because anything would be better than some fancy hotel, Mr.Canterwood.” I snapped defensively. Oh crap, I did it again.

He pursed his lips and I flinched. A flash of pity grazed his eyes before he leaned back on his hands. “You can stay at my house.”

“No.” I denied instantly. “I appreciate the ride but I’m not going to sleep in the same house as a stranger.”

“Just like you didn’t sleep in a car with the same stranger?” He added with a chuckle.

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Focus on not being rude. I can do this. “I think it would be better to find me a motel or something.” I mumbled.

“Look, I’m trying here.”

“Trying to what? Get in my pants? I didn’t make that kind of deal when I asked for a ride.” I squeaked as a blush formed on my cheeks.

He nodded and stood to his feet, holding out a hand for me to take. “Listen, I think I've proven I am no danger to you. I'm not expecting you to trust me, but don’t make assumptions, Holly. I am honestly trying to help.” Should I trust him? Honestly, he hasn’t given me a reason not to, but I’ve only known him for twenty-four hours! F*ck me!