Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Before I’m able to utter another syllable, his men follow behind him.
“Leave us,” he roars as his eyes stay focused on mine.
“Yes, Boss. Just wanted to let you know the house is clear and the family is waiting.”
“Good.” He crosses toward me. “Are you okay?” he asks me gently, as if he’s afraid of my answer. “Did they hurt you?” He doesn’t touch me for his own good or mine, but I need him.
“No more than you can see.” He swallows hard.
“That I can see? Baby, you have bruises on you. I should kill him again.” A tear slides down my face. He reaches out and wipes the wetness away. I lean into it, and he pulls me close.
“Miles, it’s okay. They’ll heal,” I whispered, trying to sound strong as I lay my face on his chest. His lips brush the top of my head and then I move to look at him again.
“They shouldn’t have been there in the first place, Elsa. You’re my princess, and they put their hands on your precious skin.” He raises my hand and then kisses my pulse. “No one should ever lay a hand on you.” Slowly he caresses my jaw and then my temple, each one sending a shiver through my body.
Our mouths hungrily meet in a soul devouring kiss. I cling to him, forgetting everything but the feel of his strength as he holds me in his arms.
“Oh, Miles, don’t stop,” I plead. My voice is filled with a need that is so deep and uncontrollable. I feel his hardness press against my heat; even in this situation, I’m equally aroused. “This probably isn’t the best time to have sex.”
He lets out a small chuckle. “No, our dads and others are outside.”
“But you’re so hard,” I whimper, grinding against him, trying to fight the sudden need for relief.
“Maybe I’m just so glad you’re in my arms right now. I was worried I’d never see you again. I’d destroy the world like they destroyed mine.”
I can’t control the sobs that leave my voice, and I’m choking on them.
“I love you so much,” he whispers against my ear. He pulls away and takes my hand, giving me some breathing room and that’s when reality comes back in full force.
The scene before me is stark and frightening. Jacob’s body is near the exit, and we can’t leave without passing it. The smell of iron wafts through the air, pungent and foul. I can’t handle it, and I nearly vomit in my mouth, but I contain myself.
“Can we go home?” I asked, wanting to get away from this awful place.
“Without a doubt. I just need to lie down in our bed and hold you to know you’re safe.” He scoops me up in his arms and carries me. “I can walk, Miles.”
“Yes, and I saw the way you looked at the exit. I won’t let you be upset again if I can help it.” I loved this man more than he could ever know.
“Thank you.”
We move toward the stairs where the piece of crap lies, and he kicks him in the balls.
My heart stammers and I panic, quickly clearing any doubts Miles might have. “He didn’t touch me like that, if you’re worried.”
We stop, and he stares deep into my eyes. “Look at me, Elsa. I’m sorry, love. I would be worried that he violated you, but not for my sake. It would be for your sake. I would never want you to deal with that pain and horror. No woman should ever have to suffer such violation. However, I know he didn’t.”
“How did you know?” I asked, wondering how he could be so certain.
“Because he couldn’t. Maybe that’s why he wanted revenge so badly that he came back and was willing to risk everything. Your brother castrated him.”
I slapped my hand to my mouth so fast it hurt. “Oh my God.”
“Milo didn’t want him to live and then go on to rape other women.” I nod and press my head onto Miles’s chest. There are no words for my brother’s actions. I can’t say he’s wrong, but they led to today, so right now I can’t rationalize it. The pain of it all is too real.
“Princess,” my father sighs with relief when he sees me. There’s blood on his face, and I know that he had to do things to get it there. He reaches for me, but Miles refuses to let me go.
“Miles, I’m okay.” He sets me down and I go to my father who quickly throws his arms around me and squeezes me tightly.
“Baby, we thought we lost you.” I sob against him as his body shakes with his own unshed emotions. “God, your mother has been devastated.”
“Call her and let her know we have her,” Miles states.
“We will once we are in a clear zone.” We need to get moving. “We can’t let anyone trace us here. The clean-up crew will be here to dispatch these assholes,” Uncle Blade says.