I swallow as my breath quickens, my heart thumps in my chest, and my eyes bug out of my head. Not in fear, because for some reason, I cannot begin to understand, I am still not afraid, but I am not sure what to expect, and that makes me feel unsettled. I pull my legs up to my chest for protection and wrap my arms around them. Making myself small, shielding from what may come, I peek over the tops of my knees, waiting for him to talk first.

“What’s your name?” he barks out, and I flinch. He was soft and gentle yesterday, and now he seems angry. I didn’t grow up with a father and being an only child, I had no brothers that pushed me around. All the kids at school stayed away from me because I was the poor kid that wore the same clothes every day, so I never had friends. It was always just Mom and me, and now just me. I am not used to rough and grumpy men, so his tone is startling.

“Annie,” I whisper to him, not sure how much to tell him and what to keep to myself.

His eyebrows raise at my answer, and I assume it is because my accent gives away that I am not a New York native. My twang is not easy to hide, but it’s possible with the craziness of yesterday that he didn’t catch on to that.

“Not from New York?” His tone softens and his shoulders relax somewhat.

“No,” I reply with an uneasy shake of my head.

His nostrils flair at my one-word answer, obviously wanting more from me, but I am not yet willing to give it. Clearly, this guy is used to getting things his own way and not at all used to people not being forthcoming. So, I try to make amends.

“Thank you so much for helping me yesterday. I apologize for falling asleep, but if I can call a taxi, I can get back to my hotel and out of your hair,” I say as I start to move off the bed.

“No,” he replies firmly, and I stop still again, my bare legs halfway out of the blankets.

“What do you mean, no?” I whisper in disbelief, my eyes narrowing.

“It isn’t safe for you. Those men from back at the club have security camera footage of what happened. They will be looking for you just as hard as they are trying to get to me. You are safer here.” He leaves no room for questions, and I just about balk. Not safe for me? Staying here is safer? I can’t believe that being here with him is the safest option for me, but with nothing and no one else, what choice do I have?