Free How Many Chances by Beverley Hollowed Page B

He really was perfect.
    Ninety minutes later she was in the back of yet another Black Range Rover, speeding down the motorway towards the Centre of London, heading towards Coles London apartment.
    “Sir,” the man driving the car , whose name Ally couldn’t remember, said suddenly, sounding very serious and proper. Ally reckoned he was possibly in his mid-thirties, not unattractive, definitely ex-army.  “It would seem the vultures have already started to circle. There is a bunch of paps at the apartment. Are you sure you still want to go there. I could make arrangements in one of the hotels for you and Ms Brody.”
    “No Nick,” Cole replied. “I told Ally I was taking her home and that is where we are going.”
    He turned to Ally and smiled, then once again took her hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed it softly.
    “Gorgeous girl, it would seem we have company waiting for us,” Cole said constantly watching Ally’s reaction. “This is never really pleasant but it’s life here in London. I had hoped we would have gotten away with it for this evening but it seems they have their little spies everywhere. When we get to the apartment, we will pull into the underground parking but it can become crazy. But we have everything under control so I don’t want you to worry, okay.”
    Ally just stared at Cole blankly, she had no idea what the hell he was talking about. She was just about to ask him to explain what he meant but she was suddenly blinded with a bright flash, and then another and then another.
    Suddenly the car slowed and they were surround by more than a dozen cameras pressed up against the glass of the car. Flash after blinding flash lit up the car.
    “Cole, what the hell is going on?” Ally said as pani c took hold of her, the sounds of the cameras bouncing off the car was almost deafening and was possible the scariest noise in the world.
    “Ally its ok, I promise,” he reassured her. He quickly wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to him. “We will be through this is a few moments. I have you. Don’t worry.”
    As quick ly as it started, the flashing stopped and they were now plunged into darkness.
    Ally kept her eyes pinched closed until the car had come to a complete stop.
    “We’re safe” Cole whispered. Ally sat up and looked at him in complete shock. Fear and anger etched across her face.
    “What the hell was that?” Ally asked, and Cole cringed at the mixture of shock and contempt in her voice.
    “That would be the wonderful paparazzi,” Cole replied staring at Ally hoping this wasn’t about to go really badly. “They follow me from time to time, but since Ben, they have been camped out anywhere they think I might turn up.”
    “And you brought me here,” Ally asked, even surprising herself with the anger in her voice. “Jesus Christ Cole, what the hell were you thinking?”
    “I was thinking I want the woman I love to be with me,” Cole replied sounding a little angry too. “I wanted you to see my home, meet my family and most importantly meet my son. Is that such a bad thing?”
    A lly stared at him for a moment as she thought about how she should answer him, but words failed her. She knew she had bitten of more than she could chew. She knew that before she had even left her grandparents’ house the day previous.
    She wanted to say that she just wanted to go home but she knew she couldn’t. Instead she just sighed and climbed out of the car. She slammed the car door closed and turned and was surprised to be face to face with the driver.
    “Miss,” he said looking at her straight in the eyes. He looked angry and a little scary . His tone was one of impatience. Ally instantly felt uncomfortable with his close proximity. But she met his glare defiantly. “Don’t ever get out of the car until you are given the all clear. Do you understand me?”
    “I am not stupid,” Ally snapped back, angrily and thought to herself. Who is this asshole? “I wasn’t aware I