Keeping You

＂Sunflower, you couldn’t hurt me if you tried.＂ He smirked as he took the cotton material off the counter and began to wrap her hand.

＂I didn’t,＂ Jo said as a confident smile spread across her lips.

＂You won’t need to,＂ he muttered as he tore the cotton and then grabbed the bandage and wrapped her hand.

He cleared his throat as he tried to focus on what he had come here to do. He clenched his jaw, and his mouth turned into a frown.

＂What’s wrong?＂ Jo whispered.

＂You,＂ Malcolm said in a short breath. His hand left her hips and moved down over her legs, which were still wrapped around him.

＂Me?＂ Jo pulled back, confused.

＂Wait,＂ Jo blurted out as a sense of panic rushed over her at the thought of him leaving.

Malcolm didn’t say anything but turned towards her. He turned his eyes down in a scowl as he looked at her.

＂Why are you here?＂ Jo asked and took a small step towards him.

＂I don’t know,＂ Malcolm grumbled and then turned to the door, his pace quicker this time as he walked to it.

Jo finally escaped Evan and now is on the run. She goes as far as she can, but with a rundown car, empty tank and empty wallet, she finds herself stuck. She knows Evan is right behind her, and she is running out of time. He would never let her leave him. He would never stop. Her only choice is to try to disappear. With a new name, new hair, and new job. She has a plan; it’s simple: lie low, save up, and run again. Until she meets Malcolm. Jo captivates him, and she is the mistake he never saw coming. One night, one drink, and one secret change everything. Malcolm slips up and tells Jo his true name. Something so innocent holds so much power and control. Malcolm cannot allow Jo to have that, so now she must die. But can he do it? The closer she is to him, the more he feels connected to and drawn to her. Evan is still hunting her and Malcolm finds himself protecting her instead, but did Jo just trade one monster for another?