She pushed off the door and walked to her bedroom. She needed to busy herself with packing. First things first, she opened the safe. It contained her documents and a diamond tennis bracelet that Charles had given to her. She wore it from time to time when she was with him. It hurt just looking at the piece of jewelry. It made her think of Torrent… the asshole. She put the bracelet back in the safe. If only she’d thought to leave some money in there.

Her bank cards and cash had been in her handbag when she was taken. The bag that was lying on the ground next to the car. The one she had dropped when Ellis had man-handled her.

She would need to walk into town. She could withdraw money inside the bank and catch the next bus out of town. She’d didn’t care where it was headed, as long as she was on it.

The walk into town was a good couple of miles. Best she pack light. She’d think about her future when she was far enough away and able to actually think straight.

Candy pulled out a wheely bag. It was more of an overnight bag but she folded her garments carefully and got three changes of clothes and her toiletry bag into it. She changed into jeans and a t-shirt, tying a sweater around her waist. Then she put on a pair of sneakers. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she grabbed the bag and left, locking the door behind her. She’d get ahold of her landlord and give notice. She’d have to organize for the rest of her things to be removed. Her head hurt.

Not thinking about this now!

One step at a time. Get to town. Withdraw money. Get out of town. Easy. She put one foot in front of the other. Everything was going to be just fine. Candy swallowed hard, trying not to cry. She didn’t need anyone in her life. She certainly didn’t need an asshole like… him. Not saying his name.

Torrent.

She pictured his blond hair, his pale eyes. She pictured his easy smile. Her body could still recall how good it felt being wrapped up in his arms. How safe she had felt. For the first time in her life she’d felt like someone really cared about her. If that was true, he would never have said those things. He would never have hurt her in that way.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she never heard the car approach.

She started when she heard his voice. “Get into the car, Candy.”

She didn’t have to look. She knew that voice almost as well as she knew her own. She recognized the convertible. Candy ignored him and kept on walking.

“Get in,” Ellis said, louder this time.