Kenzie leaned back against the brick, arms wrapped around her own torso in a hug. What the hell had just happened? She took a few deep breaths, trying to stop the shaking. Ryan was supposed to be a fling. Something — someone — she did when they just happened to be in the same city.

Not a possessive, creepy, psychotic asshole. She pushed away the images struggling to remain at the front of her mind. Her skin still crawled where his hands had been. “You stupid whore, you’re mine.” His insults echoed in her thoughts.

A sob bubbled up in her chest and forced its way out before she could stop it. She needed to get inside. Away from the crowds, the occasional glimpse of pity from a stranger on the street, the prickly feeling she was being watched. But outside it was safe.

She tugged down the edge of her T-shirt, suddenly wishing it wasn’t so tight, or short. More unwelcome images greeted her. Rough hands pushing her back, fumbling with her clothing. A cruel voice in her ear. She shuddered and shook the thoughts away. Nothing had happened. She’d gotten out before that. Something to be grateful for.

“Mackenzie?”

The concerned voice penetrated her mounting panic. She blinked and realized someone was staring at her. Brown eyes blinked at her in concern, moving across her face. Scott. What was he doing there?

She forced a smile to her lips. “Hey.”

Scott didn’t close the distance between them. His hands were in his pockets and he seemed to have the magical ability to make the foot traffic part around where he stood on the sidewalk. No one jostled or disturbed him. “You okay?”

The question summoned a new wave of terror and she blinked back the tears. The accompanying shudder made it difficult to maintain her composure. “I’m good. Fine. Yeah. I’m fine.”

He reached a hand out, but stopped just short of touching her, letting his arm drop instead. “You don’t look it. I mean, no offense, but…”

A new ache joined the series of pains in her head and gut. A longing to close the distance between them. To fall against him and be safe. She pushed the desire away and took a deep breath. Forcing away more of her confusion, her smile grew. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

The lie tasted foul, but she didn’t have a choice. She barely knew the guy. And he was on the run. And what if he was like Ryan? Part of her knew it wasn’t true, but she couldn’t confirm it.

His gaze flickered over her face again and he took a small step back. “If you’re sure…”

She wasn’t. Not even close. The crawling desire to be wrapped in safety still taunted her, but it wouldn’t make things better, she already knew that. “Positive.”