The Three Fates of Ryan Love by Erin Quinn

the dog’s fur. Stalling.
    â€œI got nothing but time, Sabelle.”
    She snorted softly, the sound disdainful. But when she looked up, he saw apprehension rather than derision on her face.
    He crossed his arms and leaned back. “How’d you know what was going to happen tonight?”
    â€œYou look very judgmental,” she said. “It makes me feel that you won’t listen to my answer with an open mind.”
    He didn’t bother responding to that. He probably did and he probably wouldn’t. She had the cagey, nervous body language of someone who wasn’t good at lying but still felt the need to do it.
    â€œTell me anyhow.”
    At last she lifted her chin and met his eyes. That was her tell. The straight-on stare and stubborn chin gave her away every time.
    â€œWhen you found me tonight,” she said, “I was coming from somewhere else.”
    Everyone came from somewhere else, but he wasn’t going to fight over that detail. He had bigger questions in mind. “Why weren’t you wearing any clothes?”
    Head bent, she watched her fingers worry the hem of her borrowed shirt. “I was forced to leave without time to prepare,” she murmured at last.
    Pretty much the same crock of shit he’d sold to the police earlier. “You needed to prepare to not be naked?” he asked, trying to be gentle while still pinning her down. The answer would determine what came next.
    Her lips moved but she changed her mind before she spoke. Ryan knew that those words—the ones she’d kept inside—were the ones he needed to hear, but he had no idea how to extricate them from the tension that surrounded her.
    â€œCome on, snowflake,” he said softly. “Don’t make me pull it out of you. I’m not going to help you if you don’t tell me.”
    â€œWho says I need your help?” she demanded.
    â€œSnowflake, you are the definition of needs help .”
    The chin came up again, but she wasn’t as steady as she pretended, even though she’d tossed the challenge like she had an army behind her to rally to her call.
    He tipped his head, snaring her defensive gaze with a sideways glance. “Tell me.”
    Her eyes grew big. Liquid. So blue he thought he might drown in them if he didn’t look away. She lifted her shoulder. “Why would you help me?”
    â€œYou saved my life. I’m indebted.”
    She nodded, accepting the answer at face value. Yet she lowered her lashes, hiding her thoughts. Ryan crouched in front of her chair, weight on the balls of his feet. He used her legs to turn her body so her feet were between his, her knees almost brushing his chest. He left his fingers curled around her calves as he waited her out.
    A heavy sigh and then: “I do need help,” she said in a low voice. “It’s not only your life in danger now.”
    â€œMine isn’t in danger anymore,” he corrected, still speaking in those careful tones.
    â€œI’m afraid that isn’t true. Because of me.”
    â€œDoes someone want to hurt you, Sabelle?”
    The thought of it made his throat tighten and hot anger slide down his spine. Her chin dipped. Was that a nod?
    â€œI’m a fugitive,” she said, her voice so soft he wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “An escaped prisoner.”
    Not what he’d expected. Not anything close to it.
    â€œIt would be great if you could be a little more specific,” he teased, though he wanted to pressure her. “Is a SWAT team going to be busting down my door or did you run away from home?”
    â€œI’m serious.”
    â€œSo am I.”
    â€œI’m not a criminal, if that’s what you’re asking me. I was targeted and taken.”
    The conversation had taken a wild turn, and suddenly thoughts of abducted women forced into prostitution and slavery filled his head. Girls kept in dark basements who were sometimes found