Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 155900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Our secrets deep and profound.
If she had an inkling of what we did, of how dark my quest for justice went, she’d run and take my daughter with her when she did, and likely that running would take her straight to the police.
How the hell did you reveal those parts of yourself when they were so twisted?
And still, I wanted this woman to know everything about me.
Me
Of course, I’m trying to sweet talk you. How else am I supposed to get you to give me one of those smiles?
It seemed to take forever before she finally responded.
Little Warrior
For a long, long time, I didn’t have any of those. Not until I met you.
This was the thing. We kept swinging between light and the heavy weight of her grief. Grief that seemed compounded by the scars she desperately tried to keep hidden.
Wondered if I was the only one who could see them, as clear as if she had long, puckered blade marks covering every inch of exposed skin.
I didn’t have time to respond before another text blipped through.
Little Warrior
How is that possible? When I thought you were supposed to be my enemy?
My stomach fisted. Hated that it caused her pain. Her belief that by me raising my daughter, it somehow meant she was supposed to become less important in Maci’s life. I had zero fucking intention of that.
Me
Was never supposed to be your enemy. Was meant to make you glow.
I could almost feel the heat flame down the hall, radiating from her room and crashing into me.
I stabbed the heel of my hand into my eye.
Fuck, this was painful.
Taking my time.
Taking my time when I normally glutted and devoured without thought. When I normally used up whatever random women had to offer, never close to an attachment made.
And there I was, attached.
Little Warrior
It’s what I do. Glow when I think of you.
Hesitation billowed out with it. Like maybe she thought she was giving up some power by admitting it when she was the one with all the power over me.
Me
Can I see it? That glow?
Me
Told you I was angling at seeing one of those smiles. How about it?
Me
FaceTime me?
Faint, tinkling laughter filtered from the other room. A swarm of her joy that curled beneath the door and crawled up to me.
So, it was raw joy I was feeling when I put through the call without waiting for her answer.
I could hear her phone ringing, and one second later, her stunning face filled my screen.
A dull halo of light surrounded her from the lamp on her bedside table.
Her voice hushed and whispered when she spoke.
“Are you seriously calling me from across the hall?”
“What else am I supposed to do when I can’t see you?”
“I am ten steps away.” Playfulness ridged that sexpot mouth that was tweaking up in a smile.
And fuck me, I thought it might be me who glowed at the sight of it.
“Think we both know what would happen if I came to your door, Emery, and I’m still not sure you’re ready for that.”
A blush rushed to her cheeks. That lush fall of blonde rolling down her shoulders, the thin straps of what appeared to be a satiny tank barely visible under them.
Her attention dipped away for a beat before she peered back at me.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for you. I think we both know letting anything happen between us would be a terrible idea.”
“Sorry to break it to you, Little Warrior, but I’m pretty sure it’s already happened.”
Emery stared at me through the screen, sincerity woven in her words. “And I’m pretty sure whatever that is will destroy me in the end.”
“If I wreck you, I promise you, it’s going to be in the best way possible.”
Couldn’t stop my voice from going raspy with greed.
Toffee eyes widened, all those warm, autumn colors swirling with need and uncertainty.
“I’m not someone who goes for the temporary.” Her admission came out choppy.
“And what is it you go for?” So what if I was pushing her. Trying to get under all those hard, brittle layers where she kept herself protected.
She shifted on her bed, skin so pretty against the rich plum color of her comforter.
“I think you already know I don’t go for anything.” She bit it out, though it sounded a whole lot sadder than mad.
“You want to tell me about that?” I kept it soft and encouraging while my insides roiled with a fury so hot it was amazing I didn’t storm in there and ask for a name.
Hunt down the motherfucker and show him what it was really like to fear.
Heartache suddenly gushed out of her.
Tragedy.
Something so deep and ugly that I was nearly suffocating on it. Instinct screamed at me to get up and go.
Do what I did best.
Maim and fucking kill.
But there was something entirely different than retribution and reprisal staring back at me right then. Something more than the vengeance I sought for random names.