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Amy couldn't stop glancing over her shoulder every five seconds. She couldn't help it, couldn't help thinking he would jump out from some shadow and attack her.
"It's okay, you know."
She looked up sharply at Adam, her gaze locking on his bright green orbs. His expression was concerned as he put an arm around her.
Instead of shrinking away from the touch as she normally would have done up until the prior night, the redhead welcomed it. She realized that the tall blond man was nothing like her abusive, violent boyfriend... And how very grateful she was for that.
She kept silent as they continued on through the parking lot. They were leaving for the next city, the next town, and they had to return the sporty red rental car first.
Amy didn't see anything at first due to her head being downcast. At times, she preferred looking at the ground, because she dreaded seeing things coming right at her. She supposed it was a sort of passive aggressive trait she'd developed during her time as Chris' girlfriend.
"Oh, my God!" Adam cried. He stopped in his tracks, his hands coming up to clutch his head as he stared in disbelief at the spectacle before them.
The redhead raised her gaze, instantly taking in the horribly damaged car. The windshield had been completely smashed. The tires had been punctured flat. The side of the once beautiful vehicle had clearly been keyed. It was plain as day that this was all due to an act of vandalism.
"Chris..." she breathed, and she glanced around fearfully. He had to have been the one who had done this... There was nobody else she knew who could be capable of such unabashed, careless violence.
The tall blond man glanced at her as he neared the car. She was probably right - Jericho probably *was* the culprit. His thoughts rewound to the previous night, when the other man had gotten into his hotel room. They'd had a confrontation and he'd thrown him out. He knew Jericho had been full of rage... And what better and more immediate way to let out all that fury and frustration than to take it out on something beautiful?
He shuddered at those thoughts, however, as he knew just how much they related to Amy. After all, that bastard had taken his anger out on that beautiful woman more than enough times.
"Oh, my God... What if he's nearby? What if he jumps us?" she exclaimed, shaking. Her gaze darted around furtively, and a small, mewling sound began to escape her.
Adam was by her side in an instant. He took hold of her shoulders, forcing her to look at him.
"No, it's okay... He's long gone after this," he promised. He knew he was right. "Listen to me, Amy - he's not here." He spoke the last two words firmly as he moved his hands from her shoulders to her face.
She kept her gaze on him, her heart slowing in beat. He was right... He had a pont about Chris being most likely long gone. What vandal would stick around to be caught after their senseless act? She nodded and seemed to calm down a bit, although she couldn't help surveying their immediate area for danger.
"Listen... I'm calling the police," the Canadian said. "We'll stay here, wait for them, and then report this to the rental car company. Thank God for insurance." He reached for his cell phone and flipped it open.
Amy glanced around, noticing the small crowd of people that soon gathered. As Adam spoke into his phone, she
found herself trying to explain the state of his wrecked rented automobile.