Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 70628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Ashton. Luke Ashton. Katelyn Brooks. If you can find either one of them, you can find Aspen.”
“Luke Ashton? You mean Lucifer Ashton?”
I clear my throat again. Damn. I’ve got to stop doing that. “Yes, Lucifer Ashton. The son, not the father.”
“I’ll do my best. Try to rest, and I’ll check to see if you can have breakfast.” She leaves the room briskly.
I close my eyes.
What the hell happened?
I knew I wasn’t alone in Gloria’s house. I checked everywhere, though. Or did I? Clearly my instinct was on point. Because someone…
Someone kept me from getting back to the car to Aspen.
Someone was in that house.
Someone who most likely killed Gloria and her husband.
Someone who clearly wanted me dead, or at least out of commission.
Someone whose next target might be—
Aspen.
2
ASPEN
My room—one of several guest quarters in Luke and Katelyn’s beach house—is pure decadence. A king-size bed, Egyptian cotton sheets, a down comforter that is somehow cooling. A mattress that conforms to my body, and a pillow that is the perfect height for my neck. Even the color scheme works for me. It’s light blue and green with blond oak wood. Soft but not girly.
I couldn’t have asked for better accommodations.
I insisted on Edgar being in my room with me, and I was glad to have the company, but he kept me up most of the night. He would jump on the bed with me, snuggle for a little while, get down, pace around the room sniffing, bark a few times.
This continued throughout the night.
I understand, of course. This isn’t his home, and we aren’t his people.
God, his people…
Buck tried to keep me from seeing it, and now I can’t un-see it.
After five years on that island, I should be used to seeing horror. But despite being poked, prodded, abused, raped…
I never saw death on the island.
Now I’ve seen it, and it’s not anything I ever want to see again.
The sun’s rays stream into my bedroom and cast a glow across my bed. Even though I’m still fatigued for lack of sleep, I rise. Edgar will have to go out, and I need to see Buck.
As soon as possible, I need to see Buck.
Luke promised to tell me if there were any changes, and he didn’t wake me at all during the night, so I suppose that means Buck is fine.
Unless…Luke didn’t want to wake me, which is totally possible. Katelyn would have told him I need my rest, and Luke would have relented because he’ll do anything Katelyn asks. But surely he would have woken me if Buck…
No. I can’t let my thoughts go there.
Buck is fine. Buck has to be fine.
Chills skitter over my body. I leave the bed and throw on the lush pink velour bathrobe that Katelyn gave me last night.
I open the door, and Edgar scampers toward the kitchen. I walk to the kitchen myself, open the sliding glass door, and let Edgar out into the large yard. Then I gasp.
No fence. No freaking fence!
“Edgar, come back!”
Edgar stops, does his business, and then returns to the porch.
Thank God. The backyard heads straight to the beach. Clearly Edgar is well-trained and responds to “come back.”
“Sit,” I tell Edgar.
He obeys.
“Lie down.”
And down he goes.
A fully trained dog. Gloria and Brian were good owners. He must miss them.
“Good dog,” I tell him, as I pet his soft head. “I know you miss your people. But you’re safe here. You’re safe here with me.”
I love dogs, but I never saw myself with a small one like Edgar. I always imagined I’d have a golden retriever or a lab, but this little schnauzer has wriggled his way into my heart. He’s mine now. I look around the deck. What time is it, anyway? I didn’t bother to look when I woke. I’m surprised Luke and Katelyn aren’t up yet.
But just as I have the thought—
Katelyn steps out onto the deck. She’s wearing a light pink tank and drawstring shorts, and her blond hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun. “You’re up early.”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“I couldn’t either. Luke never even came to bed.”
I widen my eyes. “He didn’t? Where is he?”
“He’s been in his office all night, working on stuff.”
“What stuff?”
“Research, mostly. Checking in with contacts.”
“About what?”
“About you, Aspen. And Buck. About who could have done this to you two.”
I shake my head and sigh. “Oh, Katelyn, I never wanted him to get involved in this. The two of you have been through enough.”
“I’d say you’re right, because you are, but it’s more than that.” Katelyn places her hand on my shoulder. “Two people are dead. And Buck… I hate to think what could’ve become of Buck if Luke hadn’t gone back.”
I nod, unable to bring words past the lump in my throat.
Thank God Buck is okay.
Thank God the man I love is okay.