Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
It’s as if time stills as I take in everything around me. Damon and Jax are pulling my father out of the car, blood dripping down his arm and face. War stands over Eros, who is on the ground on top of who I’m guessing is Anderson.
I put my hand over my mouth. There is no way to be able to tell if it is Anderson for sure; his face is crushed to a pulp. One arm is in the wrong direction; his hand has a knife through it, though it is keeping it in place. The other has a bone sticking out from the elbow.
He’s dead, but Eros isn’t stopping, his back to me.
"Why isn't anyone doing anything?"
"He's not there. He'll wear himself out. If anyone tries to pull him off, he'll attack them." I shake my head, not believing her. "A few family members have scars. Trust me. When he loses his temper, we try to leave him alone if possible." Naomi shrugs.
I can't help but step toward Eros. I was scared I'd never see him again. War holds his hand out in a gesture for me to stop. I don’t. I keep going. He must sense someone coming. Before I can get to him, he’s jumping to his feet. Eros’s arm swings around as he lunges forward.
The knife drops from his hand, wrapping around my throat. He pushes me backward until my back hits a wall. I stare up at him; his eyes are wild, but his grip around my throat is gentle.
“Eros—”
His mouth comes down onto mine. The kiss, however, is far from gentle. He thrusts his tongue into my mouth, kissing me hard and deep. His hands around my throat slide up to grip my chin, tilting it back so he can kiss me even deeper.
When he lifts his mouth from mine, his eyes are no longer wild but still dark and intense. They don't scare me. They warm me.
"You left me." His voice is charged with emotion.
"I'm sorry."
"You will be." He steps back, his hand wrapping around my wrist. I know his words aren't threatening. I also know that Eros isn't fully rational right now. “Where is Doc Marten’s?”
Oh God. I forgot. My father!
“They are headed back to my home,” War tells him as he tosses keys to Naomi. “Go, I have men en route.” Naomi nods.
Eros leads me out of the house but not before I glance back at Anderson. He reminds me of a cartoon that was run over and is now as flat as a pancake. A hysterical laugh bubbles free. Eros holds on to my wrist tightly. I’m guessing he’s not going to be letting me out of his sight any time soon.
When we reach the SUV, Eros opens the back door for me to get in. “Over,” he orders me. I slide over so he can get in. Naomi hops into the driver's seat. Eros pulls me into his lap so that I’m sitting sideways on his thighs.
He presses his face into my neck. His breath is warm against my skin. My eyes meet with Naomi’s in the mirror. I can tell she’s pissed at me. I’m sure the whole family is. I try to hold it in, but I can’t.
Emotions come pouring out of me, and I start to cry. Eros wraps his arms around me, and I can feel his body relax. He could have been shot. I don’t know how he wasn’t.
“It’s okay,” he whispers, kissing my neck. His mouth latches on to my skin. Another one of those hysterical laughs bubbles free.
“You’re really doing that?” He doesn’t answer; he only sucks hard before letting go. “I love you,” I tell him. Eros takes another deep breath, and I swear he’s trying to breathe me into him. I wish he could. There is nowhere else I’d rather be.
Chapter Thirty-One
EROS
Bonte sits next to her father's bed. He’s stable but hasn’t woken. Doc Marten’s said to give it time. He’d lost a lot of blood, having taken two bullets. One to his shoulder and the other to his hip. The one in his shoulder went straight through. The other was lodged and had to be dug out.
Doc Marten’s was already working on him by the time we’d gotten to Uncle War’s home. A medical station has been down here for years. It hasn’t been used much, but it’s worth having. Bonte hasn’t left his side, and I haven’t left hers.
Everything that went down is all still a haze. Piece by piece it’s been coming back to me from the moment I entered that house until I had Bonte back in my hands. Hands that are covered in blood. It’s all over me still.
I had Doc check over Bonte before I let her sit down with her father. Only a couple of bruises and bumps.