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暮色-第29部分

小说: 暮色 字数: 每页4000字

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head; gripping the strap with one hand; ready to surrender it or use it 
as weapon as need demanded。 

The thickset man shrugged away from the wall as I warily came to a stop; 
and walked slowly into the street。 

〃Stay away from me;〃 I warned in a voice that was supposed to sound 
strong and fearless。 But I was right about the dry throat — no volume。 

〃Don't be like that; sugar;〃 he called; and the raucous laughter started 
again behind me。 

I braced myself; feet apart; trying to remember through my panic what 
little selfdefense I knew。 Heel of the hand thrust upward; hopefully 
breaking the nose or shoving it into the brain。 Finger through the eye 
socket — try to hook around and pop the eye out。 And the standard knee to 
the groin; of course。 That same pessimistic voice in my mind spoke up 
then; reminding me that I probably wouldn't have a chance against one of 
them; and there were four。 Shut up! I manded the voice before terror 
could incapacitate me。 I wasn't going out without taking someone with me。 
I tried to swallow so I could build up a decent scream。 

Headlights suddenly flew around the corner; the car almost hitting the 
stocky one; forcing him to jump back toward the sidewalk。 I dove into the 
road — this car was going to stop; or have to hit me。 But the silver car 
unexpectedly fishtailed around; skidding to a stop with the passenger 
door open just a few feet from me。 

〃Get in;〃 a furious voice manded。 

It was amazing how instantaneously the choking fear vanished; amazing how 
suddenly the feeling of security washed over me — even before I was off 
the street — as soon as I heard his voice。 I jumped into the seat; 
slamming the door shut behind me。 

It was dark in the car; no light had e on with the opening of the 
door; and I could barely see his face in the glow from the dashboard。 The 
tires squealed as he spun around to face north; accelerating too quickly; 

swerving toward the stunned men on the street。 I caught a glimpse of them 
diving for the sidewalk as we straightened out and sped toward the harbor。 

〃Put on your seat belt;〃 he manded; and I realized I was clutching the 
seat with both hands。 I quickly obeyed; the snap as the belt connected 
was loud in the darkness。 He took a sharp left; racing forward; blowing 
through several stop signs without a pause。 

But I felt utterly safe and; for the moment; totally unconcerned about 
where we were going。 I stared at his face in profound relief; relief that 
went beyond my sudden deliverance。 I studied his flawless features in the 
limited light; waiting for my breath to return to normal; until it 
occurred to me that his expression was murderously angry。 

〃Are you okay?〃 I asked; surprised at how hoarse my voice sounded。 

〃No;〃 he said curtly; and his tone was livid。 

I sat in silence; watching his face while his blazing eyes stared 
straight ahead; until the car came to a sudden stop。 I glanced around; 
but it was too dark to see anything beside the vague outline of dark 
trees crowding the roadside。 We weren't in town anymore。 

〃Bella?〃 he asked; his voice tight; controlled。 

〃Yes?〃 My voice was still rough。 I tried to clear my throat quietly。 

〃Are you all right?〃 He still didn't look at me; but the fury was plain 
on his face。 

〃Yes;〃 I croaked softly。 

〃Distract me; please;〃 he ordered。 

〃I'm sorry; what?〃 

He exhaled sharply。 

〃Just prattle about something unimportant until I calm down;〃 he 
clarified; closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with his 
thumb and forefinger。 

〃Um。〃 I wracked my brain for something trivial。 〃I'm going to run over 
Tyler Crowley tomorrow before school?〃 

He was still squeezing his eyes closed; but the corner of his mouth 
twitched。 

〃Why?〃 

〃He's telling everyone that he's taking me to prom — either he's insane 
or he's still trying to make up for almost killing me last… well; you 
remember it; and he thinks prom is somehow the correct way to do this。 So 
I figure if I endanger his life; then we're even; and he can't keep 
trying to make amends。 I don't need enemies and maybe Lauren would back 
off if he left me alone。 I might have to total his Sentra; though。 If he 
doesn't have a ride he can't take anyone to prom…〃 I babbled on。 

〃I heard about that。〃 He sounded a bit more posed。 

〃You did?〃 I asked in disbelief; my previous irritation flaring。 〃If he's 
paralyzed from the neck down; he can't go to the prom; either;〃 I 
muttered; refining my plan。 

Edward sighed; and finally opened his eyes。 

〃Better?〃 

〃Not really。〃 

I waited; but he didn't speak again。 He leaned his head back against the 
seat; staring at the ceiling of the car。 His face was rigid。 

〃What's wrong?〃 My voice came out in a whisper。 

〃Sometimes I have a problem with my temper; Bella。〃 He was whispering; 
too; and as he stared out the window; his eyes narrowed into slits。 〃But 
it wouldn't be helpful for me to turn around and hunt down those…〃 He 
didn't finish his sentence; looking away; struggling for a moment to 
control his anger again。 〃At least;〃 he continued; 〃that's what I'm 
trying to convince myself。〃 

〃Oh。〃 The word seemed inadequate; but I couldn't think of a better 
response。 

We sat in silence again。 I glanced at the clock on the dashboard。 It was 
past sixthirty。 

〃Jessica and Angela will be worried;〃 I murmured。 〃I was supposed to meet 
them。〃 

He started the engine without another word; turning around smoothly and 
speeding back toward town。 We were under the streetlights in no time at 
all; still going too fast; weaving with ease through the cars slowly 
cruising the boardwalk。 He parallelparked against the curb in a space I 
would have thought much too small for the Volvo; but he slid in 
effortlessly in one try。 I looked out the window to see the lights of La 
Bella Italia; and Jess and Angela just leaving; pacing anxiously away 
from us。 

〃How did you know where… ?〃 I began; but then I just shook my head。 I 
heard the door open and turned to see him getting out。 

〃What are you doing?〃 I asked。 

〃I'm taking you to dinner。〃 He smiled slightly; but his eyes were hard。 
He stepped out of the car and slammed the door。 I fumbled with my seat 
belt; and then hurried to get out of the car as well。 He was waiting for 
me on the sidewalk。 

He spoke before I could。 〃Go stop Jessica and Angela before I have to 
track them down; too。 I don't think I could restrain myself if I ran into 
your other friends again。〃 

I shivered at the threat in his voice。 

〃Jess! Angela!〃 I yelled after them; waving when they turned。 They rushed 
back to me; the pronounced relief on both their faces simultaneously 
changing to surprise as they saw who I was standing next to。 They 
hesitated a few feet from us。 

〃Where have you been?〃 Jessica's voice was suspicious。 

〃I got lost;〃 I admitted sheepishly。 〃And then I ran into Edward。〃 I 
gestured toward him。 

〃Would it be all right if I joined you?〃 he asked in his silken; 
irresistible voice。 I could see from their staggered expressions that he 
had never unleashed his talents on them before。 

〃Er… sure;〃 Jessica breathed。 

〃Um; actually; Bella; we already ate while we were waiting — sorry;〃 
Angela confessed。 

〃That's fine — I'm not hungry。〃 I shrugged。 

〃I think you should eat something。〃 Edward's voice was low; but full of 
authority。 He looked up at Jessica and spoke slightly louder。 〃Do you 
mind if I drive Bella home tonight? That way you won't have to wait while 
she eats。〃 

〃Uh; no problem; I guess…〃 She bit her lip; trying to figure out from my 
expression whether that was what I wanted。 I winked at her。 I wanted 

nothing more than to be alone with my perpetual savior。 There were so 
many questions that I couldn't bombard him with till we were by ourselves。 

〃Okay。〃 Angela was quicker than Jessica。 〃See you tomorrow; Bella… 
Edward。〃 She grabbed Jessica's hand and pulled her toward the car; which 
I could see a little ways away; parked across First Street。 As they got 
in; Jess turned and waved; her face eager with curiosity。 I waved back; 
waiting

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