Free Taking Her There by Olivia Brynn Page B

you probably know all the best places to go for a good time.” She focused on the shadow of the rearview mirror, knowing he would look back at her.
    “I’m not sure what you mean, miss.”
    “I think you do.” Angeline winked.
    The limo slowed in front of Percy’s office building, and Percy packed his tablet away. “Angeline…” His disapproval was almost tangible as he tucked his tablet under his arm. “No drinks.”
    She opened her eyes wide and adopted her most innocent expression. “Drinks? I never said I wanted any alcohol. Goodness, Perceval. You’re the one who needs rehab. Is alcohol always on your mind?”
    Andre’s snicker came through the speaker, but Percy just shook his head. “Here.” He reached into his briefcase, then tossed her a cell phone box. “I’ll call you tomorrow after you veg . Right now I’m the only one with the number. Try to be selective for a while.”
    Angeline carefully schooled her features to hide her pure pleasure in owning a cell phone again. The cops had taken her last one when she used the case to conceal her coke stash. In her hand, she held not only the latest and greatest device known to man, but it was hers. And it represented both a small and immensely huge piece of freedom. She tore it open and powered it on.
    “Aren’t you afraid I’m going to call my drug dealer and schedule a delivery?”
    Percy got out of the car, then leaned through the window. “I trust you.” With a wink, he tapped the roof of the car and walked away.
    Trust.
    She’d let a lot of people down in the past four or five years. She didn’t deserve anyone’s trust. The phone in her hand brought it all home. She’d spent the last six months just looking forward to the day she’d get out of Redland. Now that she was a free woman, she needed another focus. Gaining trust might be a good one.
    “Home, miss?”
    “Please. Thanks, Andre.”
    “My pleasure.”
    Staring at Percy’s back, Angeline was left with her silent thoughts as Andre drove her away and eventually merged onto the freeway.
    There were other rehab facilities closer to home, but Redlands was one of the few equipped to deal with increased security demanded by high-profile patients. As confining as her hospital stay had felt, it was nothing compared to the long drive home she faced. Depending on traffic, she could be cooped up for the next two hours at least.
    She couldn’t wait to get back into her home gym and run on her treadmill until her legs ached. Or swim fifteen laps in her pool. Maybe take a three-hour nap. It didn’t matter what she did. Today she was again in charge of her life. The city’s Halloween decorations reminded her exactly how long she’d spent locked up. Isolated. While the rest of the world went about their business. The only thing Angeline had done to commemorate her birthday was to refuse her mother’s phone call, even opting to have a bland turkey sandwich in her room rather than join the rest of the patients in the dining room.
    I’m such a bitch.
    She powered the phone on and added her first contact. Mom and Dad.
    “Glad to be out of there?” Andre’s voice broke her out of her morose musings.
    She squared her shoulders and huffed. “You have no idea.”
    “One summer during college, I spent two weeks painting my very religious aunt’s house right in the middle of the Bible Belt. I think that’s about as close to dry as I’ve ever had to be.”
    “Okay, now imagine twelve of your aunts and several hundred recovering drunks in their pajamas all up in your business.”
    Another chuckle. “I don’t think I want to imagine that. My dad threatened military school so often that I have an irrational fear of camouflage to this day.”
    “Hah! You were a difficult child, huh?”
    “You have no idea.”
    “Oh, really? I’m not sure I like the idea of my driver having repressed anger issues. What’s to stop you from driving us over a cliff?”
    “Don’t worry, Miss Rowe. You’re safe